Mold: a really rotten problem

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Mold: a really rotten problem

South Washington County Bulletin - Cottage Grove,MN*

Rebekah Dahlberg

Published Wednesday, January 02, 2008

http://www.swcbulletin.com/articles/index.cfm?

id=8731 & section=news & freebie_check & CFID=79478955 & CFTOKEN=38957668 & jse

ssionid=883041aae9067a321827

For Jim Pierce, of Cottage Grove, life was good. He had recently

proposed to his girlfriend, Jeanine, and she said yes. She even

agreed to spend a few nights at his house to prepare for their new

life together while Jim was away on a business trip. While Jeanine

busied herself cleaning the unfinished basement, however, she

noticed black growth on the inside of the south wall's vapor

barrier, which turned out to be every homeowner's nightmare: mold.

When Jim returned from his business trip, he and Jeanine discussed

the problem. They opted to call in a professional and have the

entire house inspected for mold. This way, they decided, they could

determine the extent and seriousness of the mold, as well as how

best to remove it.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, it is wise to hold

off on what could easily become a rather costly inspection of indoor

mold. Unless the mold is hidden or unreachable, the health

department recommends instead that people assume there is a problem

based on sight and smell of the fungal growth. In Jim and Jeanine's

case, however, a home inspection seemed the right thing to do.

Jeanine has allergies, Jim explained, and because mold is a common

trigger, it was necessary to investigate as she would be moving in

permanently following the wedding.

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The mold inspector found surprising amounts of mold in the air

upstairs given the quantity of the mold in the basement, Jim said.

He followed the inspector's advice and removed the basement

insulation, cleaned and dried the affected areas and sealed a

portion of the foundation around the base of the house. This way,

Jim noted, he was removing sources of moisture, which mold thrives

on.

" The best way to prevent household mold is to control moisture. If

the moisture problem is cured, the mold won't come back, " he said.

Molds come in a variety of colors and textures — usually accompanied

by a musty smell — and are often located behind or underneath

household materials such as sheet rock, carpet and ceiling tiles.

The Minnesota Department of Health explains these hazardous fungi

need only moisture and nutrients to find a suitable place to grow,

and they multiply by producing tiny spores which spread easily

through the air – the invisible cause of many sensitive peoples'

irritation. Several recommended steps for removing indoor mold

include identifying and fixing a moisture problem, drying all wet

materials, removing all mold-contaminated materials and cleaning and

disinfecting surfaces.

Jim and Jeanine are thankful they discovered the mold when they did.

Despite having to essentially remodel Jim's unfinished basement and

install an air exchanger to help control indoor moisture, the mold

was gone by their wedding day and they said their efforts were well

worth it.

Rebekah Dahlberg can be reached at editor@....