Mold FAQ's

A: Molds can grow almost anywhere there is enough moisture or high humidity. Controlling moisture is the key to stopping indoor mold growth, because all molds require water to grow. Moisture can come from:

• Flooding from the outside (storm water, overflowing lakes, streams, storm surge, etc.)
• Flooding from the indoor (overflow from sinks, tubs, toilets, air conditioner drain pans or sewerage systems)
• Condensation (caused by indoor humidity that is too high or surfaces that are too cold)
• Water leaks from outside the building (roof, walls, floors)
• Indoor plumbing leaks or broken water pipes
• Outdoor sprinkler spray hitting the walls, or indoor fire sprinklers
• Poor venting of kitchen and bathroom moisture (steam from shower or cooking)
• Humidifier use
• Drying wet clothes indoors, or not venting clothes dryers outdoors (including electric dryers)
• House plants (over watering, etc.)
• Moisture from our bodies (sweat, wet hair on pillows, breath)
• Warm, moist air from outdoors
• Liquid spills

A: Yes and no. On the one hand, there will always be mold in your home in the form of spores and pieces of mold cells. The presence of mold in the air is normal. On the other hand, one should not let mold grow and multiply indoors. When this happens, your level of exposure can increase, thereby increasing the risk of potential health problems. Building materials, household goods and furnishings may also be damaged.

A: There are four kinds of health problems that come from exposure to mold: allergic illness, irritant effects, infection, and toxic effects. For people that are sensitive to molds, symptoms such as nasal and sinus irritation or congestion, dry hacking cough, wheezing, skin rashes or burning, watery or reddened eyes may occur. People with severe allergies to molds may have more serious reactions, such as hay-fever-like symptoms or shortness of breath. People with chronic illnesses or people with immune system problems may be more likely to get infections from certain molds, viruses and bacteria. Molds can also trigger asthma attacks in persons with asthma. Headaches, memory problems, mood swings, nosebleeds and body aches and pains are sometimes reported in mold complaints, but the causes of these physical symptoms are not yet understood.

The long-term presence of indoor mold may eventually become unhealthy for anyone. Those with special health concerns should consult a medical doctor if they feel their health is affected by indoor mold. The following types of people may be affected sooner and more severely than others:

• Babies and children
• Elderly persons
• Individuals with chronic respiratory conditions or allergies or asthma
• Persons having weakened immune systems (for example, people with HIV or AIDS, chemotherapy patients, or organ transplant recipients)

A: Indoor mold growth can usually be seen or smelled. In most cases, if visible mold growth is present, sampling is not needed. There are no health or exposure-based standards that you can use to evaluate a mold sampling result. The Florida Department of Health does not recommend mold testing or sampling to see if you have a mold problem, or to see what kind of mold might be growing. Sampling for mold in the air can be expensive and, if done, should only be done by experienced professionals. Investigate a mold problem; don't test.

• Look for visible mold growth (it may look cottony, velvety, rough, or leathery and have different colors like white, gray, brown, black, yellow, or green). Mold often appears as a staining or fuzzy growth on furniture or building materials (walls, ceilings, or anything made of wood or paper). Look for signs of moisture or water damage (water leaks, standing water, water stains, condensation, etc.).
• Check around air handling units (air conditioners, furnaces) for standing water. Routinely inspect the evaporator coils, liner surfaces, drain pans and drain lines.
• Search areas where you notice mold odors. If you can smell an earthy or musty odor, you may have a mold problem.
• If mold-allergic people have some of the symptoms listed above when in your home, you may have a mold problem.

A: Water is the key. Without it, mold growth cannot start, much less multiply and spread. The easiest way to prevent the mold from gaining a foothold is to control dampness. Keep your home clean and dry. When water stands for even 24 hours, common molds can take hold. Keeping humidity levels below 60% and venting moisture from showering and cooking to the outside are several ways to prevent the conditions that can lead to mold growth.

A: Mold should be cleaned as soon as it appears. Small areas of mold should be cleaned using a detergent/soapy water or a commercial mildew or mold cleaner. Gloves and goggles should be worn during cleaning. The cleaned area should then be thoroughly dried. Throw away any sponges or rags used to clean mold. If the mold returns quickly or spreads, it may mean you have an underlying problem, such as a water leak. Any water leaks must first be fixed when solving mold problems.

A: Using bleach or other chemicals to kill indoor mold growth is not needed in most cases. The goal should be to remove mold growth by cleaning or removing moldy materials. Dead mold can still pose health risks if you are exposed. Using bleach or other disinfectants on surfaces after mold removal may be needed where people are thought to be susceptible to fungal infections (such as a person with immune system problems). Should you decide to use bleach or another chemical, please read and carefully follow the label directions and hazard statements (caution, warning, danger). Do not mix bleach with ammonia cleaners or acids, because a dangerous chlorine gas may be formed.

A: There are multiple factors that contribute to the cost of mold remediation. The cost if this service takes into consideration the following:

• The size of the area with mold. The more mold you have in your home to take care of, the more you'll be paying for the service.
• The location of the mold is a big factor in the cost of remediation. If an HVAC system has been infested, the cost will be higher.
• If fabrics such as carpets have been involved and are unable to be sufficiently cleaned, they will need replacement, as will floor sheathing and insulation that has been damaged.
• Roof leak damage. If the sheathing can't properly be cleaned, the sheathing and the section of roofing above would need to be replaced.

Source: Florida Department of Health