Alban Home Inspection Service


How To Minimize Mold

If a homeowner has discovered a mold growth problem, he needs to take action.

Two main courses of action to alleviate the problem are:

• Eliminate the moist conditions that allow the mold to grow.

• Remove any existing mold.

Many allergenic molds can be removed by the use of an anti-fungal solution or chlorine on hard surfaces. If the insulation has been contaminated, it should be removed. If the area is infected with a toxic mold, a homeowner must remove all porous materials, including drywall, insulation, and some types of sheathing. It may also be necessary to remove the framing of the house if the amount of penetration and contamination to the structural system so warrants. If extensive mold growth (over 100 square feet) and/or stachybotrys is suspected, a homeowner should seek professional advice before mold removal. Persons with prior respiratory health problems should not perform any clean up.  If the problem is minor, the homeowner can perform the removal.  
The following steps will help the homeowner alleviate the mold problem: 

• Drain and ventilate areas under and around  the house,  keeping an especially close eye on earth crawlspaces.  

• Remove or replace previously soaked furniture and carpets.

• Seal leaky air conditioning ducts.

• Install a heat recovery ventilator or an air-to-air exchanger.

• Do not put carpeting on floors regularly exposed to water,

such as the floor in the bathroom or basement.

• Add mold inhibitors to paint before using.

• Use a HEPA vacuum cleaner on furniture and carpets.

• Repair all water-damaged areas.

• Keep humidity levels under 40%.

• During humid months, use a dehumidifier or air conditioner.

• Provide adequate ventilation. Use exhaust fans in kitchen and bathrooms.

• Use a high performance electrostatic air filter in the central air system.

• Remove mold with commercial cleaners or a weak bleach solution.

 

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parks"). These dwellings, which require more on-site labor to construct and assemble, include: 

Panelized Homes – factory built

housing panels such as walls and

floors are transported and assembled

on site. These panels have doors,

windows, wiring, and plumbing

built in.

• Modular Homes – sections of the

home are built in the factory, then

transported to the site and put

together like building blocks.

Increasing numbers of modular

homes have permanent foundations

and attached garages, making them

indistinguishable from most

conventionally built homes.

Pre-cut Homes – the most basic

type of manufactured home, its basic

building components are built in the

factory. Then they are transported

and assembled on site. These homes

include log, dome, and kit housing

and require the most labor on site

for assembly.

 

 

 

 


 

Note: This newsletter is for informational purposes only. When getting involved with a project, please work within your ability. If you need help with a contractor or with any other home-related issue, please contact Alban Home Inspection Service with any questions. Thank You.

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