Be sure your home is mold and mildew free

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Be sure your home is mold and mildew free

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Spencer Daily Reporter - Spencer,IA*

http://www.spencerdailyreporter.com/story/1464000.html

Household mold and mildew can be more than unsightly - it can

negatively impact your health.

Approximately 10 percent of the U.S. population is sensitive to

mold, and invisible mold spores cause countless allergic reactions,

asthma attacks, and sinus infections, according to the American

College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

Mold also wreaks havoc on building materials. In nature, mold breaks

down decaying organic matter, but in a home, it can decompose

floors, walls, and other structures.

Fortunately, mold growth can be controlled.

" The key to mold control is moisture control, " says Hong,

home health specialist and president of Sylvane.com, a leading

online supplier of dehumidifiers.

Hong offers the following tips for creating a healthy home

environment that's mold and mildew free:

* Recognize Visible Mold: Mold grows in damp, dark environments.

Commonly found in bathrooms and basements, it's usually slimy or

fuzzy in appearance, and its color may be green, black, orange, or

purple.

* Be Aware of Hidden Mold: Mold can grow behind walls and wallpaper,

above ceiling tiles, and under sinks. If you notice a musty odor in

a particular room, it's likely coming from hidden mold. You can

check for mold with a Mold Test Kit.

* Clean Up Spills Immediately: If you have a spill, leak, or any

kind of water damage in your home, clean and dry out the area

immediately. Mold starts growing within 24-48 hours.

* Keep Indoor Humidity Low: Dehumidifiers keep the humidity low by

removing excess moisture from the air. Keep your home's relative

humidity below 50 percent to prevent mold growth.

* Protect Your Basement: Basements are notorious for mold and

mildew. Use a basement dehumidifier to prevent mold and mildew

growth.

* Defend Your Crawlspace: Crawlspaces are dark and damp -- ideal

environments for mold. Place a plastic vapor barrier on open earth

to reduce moisture. Many crawlspaces require a crawlspace

dehumidifier to keep the mold at bay.

* Carefully Clean Visible Mold: If you see visible mold growth,

carefully clean it up with water and detergent. It's impossible to

completely remove mold from a porous surface such as drywall; this

material will have to be removed and discarded.

* Protect Yourself While Cleaning: The Environmental Protection

Agency recommends wearing an N-95 respirator mask, gloves, and

goggles while cleaning mold. Black mold or toxic mold (usually found

in buildings with severe water damage) produces dangerous toxins

that can cause neurological symptoms and even death. If you

encounter extensive mold growth, or if you suspect that it may be

toxic mold, contact a mold remediation professional.

" Indoor mold is a major cause of sinus infections, allergies, and

asthma attacks, not to mention structural damage to buildings, " says

Hong. " But if you control your home's humidity, then mold doesn't

stand a chance. "