A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home

This Guide is also available as a downloadable pdf and en español

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On this page:

• Overview
• Mold Basics
• Mold Cleanup
• Mold Cleanup Guidelines
• What to Wear When Cleaning Moldy Areas
• Is the Cleanup Complete?
• Moisture and Mold Prevention and Control Tips
• Hidden Mold
• Cleanup and Biocides
• Additional Resources

Overview

This Guide provides information and guidance for homeowners and renters on how to clean up residential mold problems and how to prevent mold growth. The content on these web pages is based on EPA's publication "A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home." Updates have been made to some resources and links.

Mold Basics

• The key to mold control is moisture control.
• If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem.
• It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.

Why is mold growing in my home?

Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.

Can mold cause health problems?

Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis).

Magnified mold spores

Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing.

This [guidance] provides a brief overview; it does not describe all potential health effects related to mold exposure. For more detailed information consult a health professional. You may also wish to consult your state or local health department.

How do I get rid of mold?

It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust. The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back.

Mold Cleanup

If you already have a mold problem - act quickly. Mold damages what it grows on.
The longer it grows, the more damage it can cause.

Who should do the cleanup depends on a number of factors. One consideration is the size of the mold problem. If the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet (less than roughly a 3 ft. by 3 ft. patch), in most cases, you can handle the job yourself, follow the guidelines. However:

• If there has been a lot of water damage, and/or mold growth covers more than 10 square feet, consult EPA's Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document is applicable to other building types.
• If you choose to hire a contractor (or other professional service provider) to do the cleanup, make sure the contractor has experience cleaning up mold. Check references and ask the contractor to follow the recommendations in EPA's Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, the guidelines of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygenists (ACGIH), or other guidelines from professional or government organizations.
• If you suspect that the heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system may be contaminated with mold (it is part of an identified moisture problem, for instance, or there is mold near the intake to the system), consult EPA's guide Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? before taking further action. Do not run the HVAC system if you know or suspect that it is contaminated with mold - it could spread mold throughout the building.
• If the water and/or mold damage was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, then call in a professional who has experience cleaning and fixing buildings damaged by contaminated water.
• If you have health concerns, consult a health professional before starting cleanup.

Mold Cleanup Guidelines

Bathroom Tip:

Places that are often or always damp can be hard to maintain completely free of mold. If there's some mold in the shower or elsewhere in the bathroom that seems to reappear, increasing ventilation (running a fan or opening a window) and cleaning more frequently will usually prevent mold from recurring, or at least keep the mold to a minimum.

Tips and techniques

The tips and techniques presented in this section will help you clean up your mold problem. Professional cleaners or remediators may use methods not covered in this publication. Please note that mold may cause staining and cosmetic damage. It may not be possible to clean an item so that its original appearance is restored.

• Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible. Dry all items completely.
• Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely.
• Absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, may have to be thrown away if they become moldy. Mold can grow on or fill in the empty spaces and crevices of porous materials, so the mold may be difficult or impossible to remove completely.
• Avoid exposing yourself or others to mold (see discussions: What to Wear When Cleaning Moldy Areas and Hidden Mold).
• Do not paint or caulk moldy surfaces. Clean up the mold and dry the surfaces before painting. Paint applied over moldy surfaces is likely to peel.
• If you are unsure about how to clean an item, or if the item is expensive or of sentimental value, you may wish to consult a specialist. Specialists in furniture repair, restoration, painting, art restoration and conservation, carpet and rug cleaning, water damage, and fire or water restoration are commonly listed in books. Be sure to ask for and check references. Look for specialists who are affiliated with professional organizations.

What to Wear When Cleaning Moldy Areas

It is important to take precautions to limit your exposure to mold and mold spores.

• Avoid breathing in mold or mold spores. In order to limit your exposure to airborne mold, you may want to wear an N-95 respirator, available at many hardware stores and from companies that advertise on the Internet. (They cost about $12 to $25.) Some N-95 respirators resemble a paper dust mask with a nozzle on the front, others are made primarily of plastic or rubber and have removable cartridges that trap most of the mold spores from entering.
  In order to be effective, the respirator or mask must fit properly, so carefully follow the instructions supplied with the respirator. Please note that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that respirators fit properly (fit testing) when used in an occupational setting; consult OSHA for more information (800-321-OSHA or osha.gov).
• Wear gloves. Long gloves that extend to the middle of the forearm are recommended. When working with water and a mild detergent, ordinary household rubber gloves may be used. If you are using a disinfectant, a biocide such as chlorine bleach, or a strong cleaning solution, you should select gloves made from natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile, polyurethane or PVC (see Cleanup and Biocides). Avoid touching mold or moldy items with your bare hands.
• Wear goggles. Goggles that do not have ventilation holes are recommended. Avoid getting mold or mold spores in your eyes.

How Do I Know When the Remediation or Cleanup is Finished?

• You must have completely fixed the water or moisture problem before the cleanup or remediation can be considered finished.
• You should have completed mold removal. Visible mold and moldy odors should not be present. Please note that mold may cause staining and cosmetic damage.
• You should have revisited the site(s) shortly after cleanup and it should show no signs of water damage or mold growth.
• People should have been able to occupy or re-occupy the area without health complaints or physical symptoms.
• Ultimately, this is a judgment call; there is no easy answer. If you have concerns or questions consult our Frequently Asked Questions database and ask a question if you don't find what you need.

Moisture and Mold Prevention and Control Tips

Moisture Control is the Key to Mold Control

• When water leaks or spills occur indoors - act quickly. If wet or damp materials or areas are dried 24-48 hours after a leak or spill happens, in most cases mold will not grow.
• Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.
• Make sure the ground slopes away from the building foundation, so that water does not enter or collect around the foundation.
• Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly.

• Keep indoor humidity low. If possible, keep indoor humidity below 60 percent (ideally between 30 and 50 percent) relative humidity. Relative humidity can be measured with a moisture or humidity meter, a small, inexpensive ($10-$50) instrument available at many hardware stores.
• If you see condensation or moisture collecting on windows, walls or pipes act quickly to dry the wet surface and reduce the moisture/water source. Condensation can be a sign of high humidity.

Actions that will help to reduce humidity

• Vent appliances that produce moisture, such as clothes dryers, stoves, and kerosene heaters to the outside where possible. (Combustion appliances such as stoves and kerosene heaters produce water vapor and will increase the humidity unless vented to the outside.)
• Use air conditioners and/or de-humidifiers when needed.
• Run the bathroom fan or open the window when showering. Use exhaust fans or open windows whenever cooking, running the dishwasher or dishwashing, etc.

Actions that will help prevent condensation:

• Reduce the humidity (see preceding page)
• Increase ventilation or air movement by opening doors and/or windows, when practical. Use fans as needed.
• Cover cold surfaces, such as cold water pipes, with insulation.
• Increase air temperature.

Renters: Report all plumbing leaks and moisture problems immediately to your building owner, manager, or superintendent. In cases where persistent water problems are not addressed, you may want to contact local, state, or federal health or housing authorities. You can also contact your state health department.

Test or Sampling for Mold

Is sampling for mold needed? In most cases, if visible mold growth is present, sampling is unnecessary. Since no EPA or other federal limits have been set for mold or mold spores, sampling cannot be used to check a building's compliance with federal mold standards. Surface sampling may be useful to determine if an area has been adequately cleaned or remediated. Sampling for mold should be conducted by professionals who have specific experience in designing mold sampling protocols, sampling methods, and interpreting results. Sample analysis should follow analytical methods recommended by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), or other professional organizations.

Hidden Mold

Suspicion of hidden mold

You may suspect hidden mold if a building smells moldy, but you cannot see the source, or if you know there has been water damage and residents are reporting health problems. Mold may be hidden in places such as the back side of dry wall, wallpaper, or paneling, the top side of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets and pads, etc. Other possible locations of hidden mold include areas inside walls around pipes (with leaking or condensing pipes), the surface of walls behind furniture (where condensation forms), inside ductwork, and in roof materials above ceiling tiles (due to roof leaks or insufficient insulation).

Investigating hidden mold problems

Investigating hidden mold problems may be difficult and will require caution when the investigation involves disturbing potential sites of mold growth. For example, removal of wallpaper can lead to a massive release of spores if there is mold growing on the underside of the paper. If you believe that you may have a hidden mold problem, consider hiring an experienced professional.

Cleanup and Biocides

Biocides are substances that can destroy living organisms. The use of a chemical or biocide that kills organisms such as mold (chlorine bleach, for example) is not recommended as a routine practice during mold cleanup. There may be instances, however, when professional judgment may indicate its use (for example, when immune-compromised individuals are present).

In most cases, it is not possible or desirable to sterilize an area; a background level of mold spores will remain - these spores will not grow if the moisture problem has been resolved. If you choose to use disinfectants or biocides, always ventilate the area and exhaust the air to the outdoors. Never mix chlorine bleach solution with other cleaning solutions or detergents that contain ammonia because toxic fumes could be produced.

Please note: Dead mold may still cause allergic reactions in some people, so it is not enough to simply kill the mold, it must also be removed.

Additional Resources

Acknowledgements

EPA would like to thank Paul Ellringer, PE, CIH, for providing the photo of Mold growing on the back side of wallpaper.

Notes

Please note that this document presents recommendations. EPA does not regulate mold or mold spores in indoor air

Contact COIT for a professional cleaning!

If you're facing a mold issue in your home, you’ll eventually have to prepare for remediation. Mold remediation is a critical process for getting rid of mold and maintaining a healthy living environment. 

This guide will walk you through the essential steps to prepare for mold remediation, ensuring a smooth and effective process. 

Want more information on mould company? Feel free to contact us.

Whether it's protecting your belongings, checking for safety concerns, or preparing the affected area, these tips from COIT will help you get ready for professional mold removal.

Understanding Mold Remediation

Mold remediation involves a series of steps to effectively remove mold from your home and prevent its return. 

It's more than just a simple cleaning—it involves identifying the source of the mold, containing its spread, removing contaminated materials, and restoring the area to its original condition.

How do you prepare for mold treatment?

Preparing your home or property for mold treatment involves several steps:

• Start by identifying the areas with mold growth. It's crucial to isolate these areas to prevent the spread of mold spores during the remediation process.
• Clear out the affected area, removing furniture, rugs, and personal items. This not only makes the remediation process easier but also protects your belongings from potential damage.
• Wrap and store valuable items in a mold-free zone. If you have items that are sensitive or irreplaceable, consider moving them off-site during the remediation process.
• Ensure there is a clear path for the remediation team to access the affected area. This helps in preventing the spread of mold to other parts of your home.

Should you be in the house during mold remediation?

It's generally recommended that occupants stay out of the house during the mold remediation process, especially if you have allergies or respiratory issues. Here's why:

• Mold remediation can disturb spores, which may affect indoor air quality temporarily.
• It allows professionals to work more efficiently without any interruptions.

How long should you stay out of the house after mold remediation?

The duration you should stay out of your house post-remediation depends on the extent of mold and the areas treated. On average, it could be a few hours to several days. Always follow the advice of the remediation professionals.

How do you prepare a room for mold remediation?

To prepare a room for mold remediation, be sure to do the following:

• Seal off the room with plastic sheeting and tape. Cover air vents to prevent mold spores from spreading through the HVAC system.
• Remove or cover all furniture and belongings in the room to protect them from mold spores and cleaning agents.

To protect your belongings:

• Store belongings in a dry, mold-free environment.
• Clean items before storage and wrap them in plastic to protect from dust and spores.
• Inspect items for mold growth. If contaminated, consider professional cleaning or disposal.

What do you throw away after mold remediation?

Items that are porous and heavily contaminated with mold, such as cardboard, carpet, and upholstered furniture, may need to be discarded. It's often difficult to completely remove mold from these materials.

How likely is mold to come back after remediation?

Mold thrives in moist environments, and if the source of moisture is not addressed, mold can return. Common moisture sources include leaks, condensation, high humidity, and flooding.

The likelihood of mold returning can also be influenced by the general climate and weather patterns in your area. Humid climates or rainy seasons might require more rigorous monitoring and preventive measures.

Working with Professionals for Effective Mold Remediation

Understanding the likelihood of mold returning after remediation leads directly into the importance of working with professional mold remediation services. 

When working with professionals, remember the following:

Selecting the Right Professional Service

Research and choose a reputable mold remediation company like COIT that has a track record of effective mold solutions. Look for certifications, reviews, and their approach to mold treatment.

Comprehensive Assessment

Expect a thorough assessment of your property. Professionals should not only identify visible mold but also use tools to detect hidden mold and moisture sources.

Customized Remediation Plan

Each mold situation is unique. Ensure the company provides a tailored plan that addresses the specific needs of your home, including the type of mold, the extent of the infestation, and the affected materials.

Clear Communication

Maintain an open line of communication with the remediation team. Don't hesitate to ask questions about the process, the materials and chemicals used, and any concerns you have.

Safety Protocols

Discuss the safety measures the team will use to protect your home and prevent the spread of mold spores during the remediation process. This includes containment strategies and protective equipment.

Timeline and Disruption

Get clarity on how long the process will take and how it will affect your daily routine. Professional remediation can range from a day to several days, depending on the severity of the mold problem.

Post-Remediation Inspection

After the remediation is complete, a thorough inspection should be conducted to ensure all mold has been removed. This may include air quality tests to confirm that the indoor environment is safe.

Warranty and Follow-Up

Inquire about any warranties or guarantees offered on their work. A reliable company will stand behind their service and offer follow-up inspections if needed.

Documentation

Request documentation of the remediation process for your records. This can be useful for insurance purposes and future property transactions.

Final Thoughts

Preparing for mold remediation is a crucial step in resolving mold issues in your home. By following these guidelines, you can ensure a safer and more effective remediation process. 

If you're ready to tackle mold in your home, COIT’s professional services are here to help. Contact us for expert mold remediation and enjoy a healthier, mold-free living space.

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