| If a basement is musty, if there are black, green or | | | | It just so happens that since this mold may grow more |
| purple blotches on or behind the walls and ceiling tile, or | | | | commonly on building materials, it is the one that |
| if there is any kind of growth thriving under the carpets | | | | happens to be most present in most homes. It's not |
| or rugs, then the home is probably living side-by-side | | | | any more toxic than other molds and the steps taken |
| with a colony of mold. | | | | to remediate Stachybotrys should be the same as |
| This is a potential health danger for any family and also | | | | that for any other mold presence. |
| a legal liability for you and your clients. | | | | 5. Mold can be cleaned and corrected. If you find mold |
| Because of the fear over mold contamination there | | | | on a hard, non-porous surface, it can be cleaned with |
| are so many lawsuits flying around today that sales of | | | | a 1:16 bleach to water solution (only after first opening |
| resale homes are in jeopardy in some cities and | | | | a window and wearing non-porous gloves and |
| insurance companies are scrambling to avoid liability - | | | | protective eyewear) as long as the area is less than |
| with some U.S. insurers refusing to write any new | | | | 10 ft2. If more than 10 ft2 needs to be cleaned, consult |
| homeowner policies. | | | | the EPA's guide titled Mold Remediation in Schools and |
| So what do you need know about mold to best serve | | | | Commercial Buildings (this also applies to residential |
| your clients and keep yourself out of trouble? Well, | | | | buildings and you can get it free by calling the EPA |
| here we go... | | | | Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse at (800) |
| 1. Molds are everywhere and have been around | | | | 438-4318, or by going to the EPA web site at ). If the |
| forever. Many people have the impression that this is a | | | | affected material is porous, it should be removed and |
| new problem - "attack of the killer molds" - and that | | | | thrown away. If the porous material mold is extensive, |
| we now have to arm ourselves against them. Nothing | | | | you should contact professionals to gather and |
| has changed but the awareness and instead of | | | | remove. Lastly, NEVER and I mean NEVER mix |
| focusing on total elimination focus on prevention and | | | | household cleaners. I bring this up only because varying |
| control. This is easy: Sunlight and ventilation are key. | | | | sources will offer various chemical solutions to clean |
| 2. Use common sense in your approach to mold. | | | | mold such as bleach, ammonia, and chlorine. Some |
| Excessive exposure can cause symptoms in anyone. | | | | may think that they'll get even better results if they mix |
| Asthmatics and other people with sensitivities (such as | | | | these chemicals - don't! If you do, you just might end |
| infants and the elderly) will be particularly prone to | | | | up with something as deadly as mustard gas! |
| increased asthma attacks, even with moderate | | | | 6. Always get the home professionally inspected. While |
| exposure to molds. In particular, people with chronic | | | | the knowledge in this article is good and it's always |
| obstructive pulmonary disorders should be particularly | | | | smart to arm yourself with enough information to |
| wary of molds. Examples of common sense? Reduce | | | | properly handle any situation, you are not to be |
| indoor humidity 30-60% by venting bathrooms, dryers | | | | mistaken as the mold expert. A professional home |
| and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; | | | | inspector will bear the responsibility of the mechanical, |
| use air conditioners and de-humidifiers; increase | | | | structural, and in most cases the environmental |
| ventilation; use exhaust fans for cooking, dishwashing, | | | | conditions of the home once they are hired by the |
| cleaning. Also, reduce condensation on cold surfaces | | | | client, releasing you from that burden. The inspector will |
| by adding insulation (windows, piping, exterior walls, | | | | assess the situation and put it into the proper |
| roof, floors, etc.). | | | | prospective (believe it or not, I have seen a big deal |
| 3. You cannot spot the feared "Toxic" or "Black" mold | | | | made from some mold on a wall because some |
| simply by looking at it. Most molds are black or dark | | | | water was spilled from a fish tank when the home |
| green in color and the only way to determine its type | | | | was vacated) for both you and your clients and make |
| is through laboratory testing. This type of mold is also | | | | the call to refer it to the professionals if a "Red Flag" is |
| known by its technical names of Stachybotrys | | | | discovered. |
| Chartarum or Stachybotrys atra. | | | | So there you have it...the nuts & bolts to mold |
| 4. Most of the media attention surrounding | | | | within our homes. Further information on mold can be |
| Stachybotrys is overblown. In statements surrounding | | | | found on the website of the U.S. EPA at or at the |
| mold in residential construction, the Center for Disease | | | | website of the Center for disease control. |
| Control (CDC) does not believe that there is not any | | | | See you on the street! |
| difference between Stachybotrys and any other mold. | | | | |