U.S. Micro-Solutions, Inc. Environmental Laboratory
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What can homeowners do about a mould problem?
One third to one half of all buildings have damp conditions that may encourage the growth of bacteria and fungi. Bacteria and fungi can cause allergic reactions (asthma) and spread infectious diseases.
When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mould growth can occur - particularly if the problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed. It is very important that excess moisture caused by leaky roofs, malfunctioning plumbing, or poor air circulation be immediately addressed. Extensive remediation procedures will do absolutely no good if the original source of the problem is not corrected. Roofing and plumbing leaks that create stains on the walls or ceiling should be check to determine what building materials were damaged and need to be replaced to remove the source of the leak.
Water in the home can also come from obscure sources such as the humidity created by showers or cooking. The amount of moisture in your home depends on the temperature of the air. As the temperature gets cooler, the air is able to hold less moisture. This is why moisture condenses on cold surfaces (e.g., windows) in cold weather. Dehumidifiers and air conditioners can reduce moisture inside the home, so it is important to ensure that the HVAC system is adequate for the square footage of the home and that the system is properly functioning to keep the air filtered.
The way to control indoor mould growth is to control moisture and humidity. It is important to remember that mould spores can be found everywhere in the environment, making it impossible to completely eliminate them from the indoor environment.
There are many ways to control moisture in your home:
When water enters the house from the outside, some options to correct the problems are landscaping, extensive excavation to slope the ground away from the home and waterproofing. Water in the basement can be from water flow towards the house which could be caused by a lack of gutters. Water leaks in the roof, around showers, tubs, pipes and windows can also provide a place for growth of microbes, making it very important to immediately address any leaks or seepage into your home.
Crawlspaces should be well-ventilated and any exposed dirt should be covered to prevent moisture from coming in from the ground.
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.
Open doors between rooms to increase air circulation and warm colder rooms. Air circulation can be increased by using fans and removing furniture from corners. 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, therefore if possible area rugs should be used. If carpeting must be used, place a vapor barrier such as plastic sheeting over the 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 to remember:
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 material for final confirmation.
If insulated air ducts and insulation get wet or mouldy they should be removed and replaced.
If the conditions causing the mould growth are not rectified, mould growth will recur!
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