Mould spores are everywhere
in the environment. Mould can begin to grow and digest whatever they are growing on to
survive. Moulds grow on wood, paper, carpets, wallboard and food. When excessive moisture
or water accumulates indoors, mould growth can occur - particularly if the problem remains
undiscovered or un-addressed. There is no practical way to eliminate all microbes from the
indoor environment.
The way to control indoor mould growth is to
control moisture and humidity.
The key to mould control is moisture control. Excess moisture caused by leaky roofs,
malfunctioning plumbing, and poor air circulation, particularly in the bathroom and
kitchen should be immediately addressed. Extensive remediation procedures will do
absolutely no good if the source of the problem is not corrected. Repair roof leaks and
check plumbing where telltale stains on the walls or ceiling appear. Determine what
building materials were damaged and need to be replaced. Be sure that the HVAC system is
adequate for the square footage and that the system is functioning to keep the air
properly filtered.
Water in your home can come from a variety of
sources. Water can enter your home by leaking through basement floors, showers or even
cooking can add humidity to the air in your home. The amount of moisture in the air in
your home depends on the temperature of the air. As the temperature gets colder, the air
is able to hold less moisture. This is why moisture condenses on cold surfaces (e.g.,
windows) in colder weather. This moisture can encourage the growth of bacteria and fungi.
There are many ways to
control moisture in your home:
Fix leaks and seepage. When water enters the
house from the outside, the options range from landscaping to extensive excavation and
waterproofing. (The ground should slope away from the home). Water in the basement can be
from a lack of gutters or a water flow towards the house. Water leaks in the roof, around
showers, tubs, pipes and windows can provide a place for growth of microbes.
Cover dirt in crawlspaces to prevent
moisture from coming in from the ground. Be sure crawlspaces are well-ventilated. Make
sure that your bathroom is not vented into the attic and the clothes dryer is vented to
the outside of the house.
Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners to
reduce moisture inside the home.
Raise the temperature of cold surfaces where
moisture condenses. Use insulation or storm windows. Open doors between rooms to increase
circulation and warm those colder rooms. Increase air circulation by using fans and by
removing furniture from corners to promote air and heat circulation. Be sure your home has
a fresh source of air and can expel extra moisture.
Wall-to-wall carpet on concrete floors can
absorb moisture and serve as a reservoir for microbial growth. Use area rugs instead. If
you must rug, use a vapor barrier (plastic sheeting) over concrete and cover that with
sub-flooring to prevent a moisture problem.
Should you have your air ducts cleaned in your home?
If there is substantial visible mould growth inside hard surface ducts or on
any other components of your HVAC system you should have the ventilation system serviced.
Here are several important points:
Many sections of your ventilation system may
not be accessible for visible inspection. Ask the service provider to show you the mould!
Just because it looks like mould does not
mean it is mould. Have a laboratory analyze the materials for final conformation.
Insulated air ducts and insulation can get
wet or mouldy and should be removed and replaced.
If the conditions causing the mould growth
are not rectified, mould growth will recur!
|
