InspectAPedia ^®

This document provides an easy to understand step-by-step guide for dealing with toxic or allergenic indoor mold and other indoor contaminants: what to do about mold. The steps in this document will be sufficient for many building owners who want to do their own mold investigation, mold testing, mold cleanup, and mold prevention in their home or office. The photo shows a small moldy area in a residential bathroom.

Professional remediation was not needed for this cleanup. Extensive, technically detailed in-depth articles are also organized at our Mold Information Center. © Copyright 2009 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left.

Mold "mildew," moisture, in your house or office, building-related illness, involves your physician, medical treatment, sick building investigators, possibly professional cleaning companies, steps to reduce the future creation of mold or other indoor irritants, and possibly the special products to help clean buildings and air.

In the Mold Action Guide that continues below, for each step in the process of diagnosing, identifying, removing, and preventing indoor mold problems in buildings, links to in-depth articles are provided. In some cases in this document I use excerpts from longer dissertations on these subjects. Where we do that we offer a link to the longer, more detailed original documents as well.

...

Technical Reviewers & References

Search InspectAPedia

• Daniel Friedman - principal author/editor of the InspectAPedia^® Website
• InspectAPedia Bookstore lists recommended books, organized by topic & available for purchase. Most of our articles also include a list of recommended books for the specific article topic as well as other references, and information sources.
• Critique, contributions wanted: Contact Us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website, and if you wish, to receive online listing and credit as a contributor. Particular thanks are due to the many experts and also consumers who read and critique technical articles at InspectAPedia.com.
• Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS GUIDE
FLOODS IN BUILDINGS-priorities
FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP
MOLD: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO MOLD
MOLD INFORMATION CENTER
ACCURACY OF VARIOUS MOLD TEST METHODS
ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT INDOOR MOLD
  See a Mold Doctor?
  Clean Up Mold Yourself?
  Mold Health Risks
  How to Find Mold
  How to Clean Up Mold
  Building Flood Response
  Mold Clearance Inspections
  Mold Prevention
  Other IAQ Concerns
ALLERGEN TESTS for BUILDINGS
CLEARANCE INSPECTIONS
DO IT YOURSELF MOLD CLEANUP
FIND MOLD in BUILDINGS, HOW TO
HIDDEN MOLD
INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
INDOOR AIR QUALITY METHODS COMPARED
LEAD POISONING HAZARDS GUIDE
MOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS
MOLD ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT MOLD
MOLD AGE - Old is the Mold?
MOLD APPEARANCE - WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE
MOLD APPEARANCE - STUFF THAT IS NOT MOLD
MOLD ATLAS & PARTICLES INDEX
MOLD CLASSES, HAZARD LEVELS
MOLD CLEANUP GUIDE- HOW TO GET RID OF MOLD
MOLD CLEARANCE INSPECTIONS
MOLD DETECTION & INSPECTION GUIDE
MOLD DOCTOR?
MOLD EXPERT, WHEN TO HIRE
MOLD EXPOSURE RISK LEVELS
MOLD EXPOSURE STANDARDS
MOLD FAQ's
MOLD FREQUENCY in BUILDINGS
MOLD GROWTH on SURFACES
MOLD INSPECTORS & MOLD TESTERS
MOLD LEVEL REPORTS
MOLD LEVELS IN BUILDINGS
MOLD by MICROSCOPE
MOLD ODORS, MUSTY SMELLS
MOLD PREVENTION GUIDE
MOLD RELATED ILLNESS GUIDE
MOLD RELATED ILLNESS SYMPTOMS
MOLD SPRAYS, SEALANTS, PAINTS
MOLD STANDARDS
MOLD TEST KITS
MOLD TEST KITS for DIY MOLD TESTS
MOLD TEST PROCEDURES
MOLD TEST REASONS
MOLD TESTING METHOD VALIDITY
ODORS, Smells, Gases in Buildings-Diagnosis & Cure
RENTERS & TENANTS GUIDE TO MOLD
SEWAGE BACKUP TEST & CLEANUP
STAIN DIAGNOSIS
TECHNICAL & LAB PROCEDURES
THERMAL TRACKING

SEE A DOCTOR? Should you consult with physicians and knowledgeable indoor environment experts

A simple clue that suggests that one may be suffering from building related illness is the abatement of symptoms when the person with the complaint spends time out of the building. However the converse - when symptoms do not abate - does not rule out a building as a contributor to the complaints.

Some mold-related illness symptoms are slow to diminish, and more than one building can contribute to complaints. Proving with scientific accuracy that a substance in a building has actually caused or aggravated a specific illness is a difficult and costly procedure. A common approach taken by building diagnosticians who are considering whether or not mold in a building is (or could be) making someone sick is simply to look for substances which are believed likely to cause or aggravate illnesses and complaints. If such materials are present at significant levels they should be removed.

Here are some mold sickness references that may be helpful.

• Mold Atlas of Common Indoor Clinical Mold, Pathogens, Allergens, & Other Particles - Medical Health Effects of Mold: Allergenicity, Toxicity, Pathogenicity, Other
• Mold Related Illness, Symptoms of Common and Uncommon Illnesses and complaints caused, or suspected to be caused or aggravated by indoor airborne mold, by physical contact, or other means of mold exposure

Some people should stay away from mold cleanup operations

If you are sick, asthmatic, immune-impaired, suffer from COPD or other respiratory illness, before attempting any mold cleanup yourself you should see your family doctor, allergist, pulmonologist, medical toxicologist, or other appropriate specialist to discuss the chances that the environment might cause or contribute to or aggravate your illness. If you suspect that your illness is caused by or aggravated by conditions in your building you should discuss that with your physician.

And if you are yourself or if people with these characteristics are present: elderly, immune impaired, infant, asthmatic, suffer from COPD or other respiratory or immune disorders or any illness that could be aggravated by exposure to respiratory irritants, VOC's, allergens, mycotoxins, etc., you should be wary of allowing any handling moldy or dusty materials without first checking with your doctor. Medical relocation of certain high-risk building occupants may be needed before moldy materials are disturbed.

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS GUIDE
MOLD INFORMATION CENTER
ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT INDOOR MOLD
  See a Mold Doctor?
  Clean Up Mold Yourself?
  Mold Health Risks
  How to Find Mold
  How to Clean Up Mold
  Building Flood Response
  Mold Clearance Inspections
  Mold Prevention
  Other IAQ Concerns

DO IT YOURSELF: How to Perform Your Own Mold Inspection, and Check for Mold-Causing Conditions

Find the Mold: Examine living/working conditions to find evidence of any mold or to determine the actual extent of mold problem in the building. In the photograph above, leaks behind and under a bath vanity had produced mold that should be removed (and when rebuilding, steps should be taken to prevent future mold growth). But this small job, less than 10 sq .ft. of moldy material, is well within the abilities of a handyman, plumber, or skilled homeowner who can follow appropriate procedures.

Clean-up Mold: remove or clean up problem mold reservoirs. But don't be fooled into spending an outlandish sum on removing a "cosmetic" mold. Later below you'll read about stuff that is not mold or is only a cosmetic mold.

Find The Causes of Mold: In addition to looking for reservoirs of existing mold, examine the building for evidence of leaks (current or old) or moisture problems as those often define the most-likely mold reservoirs. If there is mold in your attic, has there been a history of basement flooding? Even if you don't see mold on exposed building surfaces, finding mold-producing conditions or events, like traces of leaks into a wall or ceiling, can tell you where a mold problem may be hidden.

The steps in this document - THE MOLD ACTION GUIDE - will be sufficient for many building owners who want to do their own mold investigation, mold testing, mold cleanup, and mold prevention in their home or office. However do-it-yourselfers should pay close attention to what can go wrong. If you haven't already read HIRE A PROFESSIONAL? you should do so now (See links at page left). I encourage healthy, not-at-risk people to handle small mold problems themselves. You don't need to hire an expert to clean up moldy bath tiles or a square foot of moldy drywall. But if you are proceeding on your own, be alert for the discovery that the extent of the problem is large enough that you should stop and bring in a professional.

With these warnings made clear, continue by reviewing the next steps below - by scrolling down or by using the links at the left on any of our web pages.

If you're unsure whether to tackle mold yourself and want to know when to bring in a professional, see HIRE A PROFESSIONAL?

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS GUIDE
MOLD INFORMATION CENTER
ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT INDOOR MOLD
  See a Mold Doctor?
  Clean Up Mold Yourself?
  Mold Health Risks
  How to Find Mold
  How to Clean Up Mold
  Building Flood Response
  Mold Clearance Inspections
  Mold Prevention
  Other IAQ Concerns

Mold HEALTH RISKS for Building and Home Inspectors

Please see MOLD CLEANUP HEALTH RISKS for the full article. Don't disturb large areas of mold or moldy materials (more than 30 sq .ft.). Bystanders and occupants have sued careless inspectors who cut openings or otherwise produced a burst of mold activity in a building. Risks include contributing to illness of building occupants and contamination of building areas if substantial amounts of toxic mold are present and proper containment methods are not used. This does not mean that invasive inspection techniques are prohibited--but methods of inspection need to be chosen based on the situation. If you are in a seriously moldy area, wear a HEPA respirator. Repeated exposure to allergens can cause you to become sensitized even if you have not had problems in the past. If necessary, keep spectators calm by explaining that you wear the mask because you're entering buildings every day. But keep their noses out of the mold too. People who are at particular risk can get sick from a single exposure. (Examples: elderly, babies, people with compromised immune system.) Other risks may be present, related to the same conditions which caused mold growth: Sewer backups - bacterial hazards; wet areas, damaged electrical or other mechanical components, even shock hazards.

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS GUIDE
MOLD INFORMATION CENTER
ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT INDOOR MOLD
  See a Mold Doctor?
  Clean Up Mold Yourself?
  Mold Health Risks
  How to Find Mold
  How to Clean Up Mold
  Building Flood Response
  Mold Clearance Inspections
  Mold Prevention
  Other IAQ Concerns

HOW TO FIND MOLD: How to Inspect Homes and Other Buildings for Mold - the Basics of How to Find Problem Mold Indoors

Please see HOW TO FIND MOLD and WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE for full details. Any experienced home inspector can identify conditions that risk water entry or high moisture levels in a house. These conditions promote the growth of mold spores. Mold is a natural organism and it's virtually everywhere. The goal of "zero" mold spores makes no sense. A home inspection is not a reliable indicator of the presence or absence of problem mold unless there is a large non-cosmetic mold reservoir actually visible. In fact often mold samples collected by a non-expert fail to identify the more important mold reservoirs in a building. But the visual inspection of the building by an experienced inspector is a great place to start. if building conditions such as a history of wet conditions have been present, these promote mold growth so mold problems are more likely. If you don't see water stains don't assume there was never a flood or a leak. If a building has had flooding, plumbing leaks, roof leaks, A/C condensate leaks, hidden mold may be at serious levels. Check HVAC equipment and duct work for presence of mold or other allergens. Pay close attention to duct work downstream from air filters and blowers; check blower compartments and duct work for contamination (including dead mice), and check other areas where condensate may have accumulated in duct lines, supporting mold growth. Clean ducts in one area don't assure clean ducts everywhere; a "clean" air test does *not* guarantee no duct contamination either as variations in temperature, moisture, and mechanical disturbance can suddenly release mold spores into the building air. If you don't see mold don't assume a severe mold infection can't be present (behind walls, under carpets, under insulation, in HVAC equipment.) I've found serious toxic mold colonies in walls which showed no external moisture stains nor external mold growth - the clue was other evidence of a history of leaks into the subfloor, confirmed by an impaction air sampler result. Minor changes in building conditions can cause very big variations in the level of airborne mold.Mold may be present or absent at problem-levels in house air depending on variations in humidity, temperature, season, air movement, and physical activity. Not finding airborne mold at a given moment is not an excuse for visual and in some cases invasive inspecting. A home inspection is not an environmental check for unhealthy mold or other bioaerosols or allergens. But if you see moldy conditions, warn your client. Do not be hasty to assert that a specific illness or complaint is caused by mold. The four tests (proposed by Burge, Harvard School of Public Health) are stringent beyond your means as an inspector. Mold at high levels may cause and almost certainly aggravates or contributes to a wide variety of complaints.

More Reading: If you are looking for evidence of a mold problem in a building you should review these articles.

• Mold Detection - What Does Mold Look Like? Mold spores in the Home - a Photo ID Library for detection and identification of mold allergens
• Mold Detection - How to Find and Test for Mold in Buildings - Looking for Mold - A 'how to' photo and text primer on finding and testing for mold in Buildings
• Mold Detection - Stuff that is Not Mold but is often mistaken for it - things you may not want to test. Not all "black mold" is toxic or harmful.
• Mold Detection - using a flashlight to find mold - proper use of a flashlight can help spot mold on paneling and other building surfaces
• Lighting, proper use of: proper aiming of a good flashlight can disclose hard to see but toxic light or white mold colonies on walls.
• Mold spores in the Home - a Photo ID Library for detection and identification of mold allergens.
• How to Find and Test For Mold in Buildings A 'how to' photo and text primer on finding and choosing the right spots to test for mold in buildings
• How to Find Hidden Mold in Buildings - a guide for owners and inspectors, where and how to look
• Hidden Mold Photo Guide shows where to look to find hidden mold in buildings
• Stuff that is not mold but is often mistaken for it - things you may not want to test. Also, not all "black mold" is toxic - here are examples of harmless black mold.
• Simple Adhesive Tape Sampling of Moldy Surfaces - how to send a mold sample to our lab

For more in-depth information on mold investigation in buildings see these articles

• Mold Investigation Tips for Home Inspectors how to find mold, where to look, what is likely to be important. Advice to building inspectors intending to inspect or test for toxic or problematic mold indoors, mold inspection methods, and mold test methods which are valid or invalid
• Mold Testing Methods - Brief Tutorial: Toxic Mold and Toxic Gas Testing Methods Compared - valid vs. invalid tests, recommendations. Lists mold testing methods and protocols, links to longer articles describing air tests for mold, surface tape or bulk mold tests, and gas testing such as MVOC's or toxic gases. Longer articles explain the shortcomings and discuss mold testing protocols.
• Mold Sampling Methods in the Indoor Environment - In-depth article: detailed critique of popular mold testing methods - Is your mold test kit worth the bother?
• Classes of Mold: what types of cosmetic, allergenic, or toxic mold are a problem? Can mold be cleaned-up successfully?
• Levels of Mold: How much toxic or allergenic mold constitutes a problem?
• What Mold and Allergens Look Like: mold identification photos to help identify mold - choosing what to sample in buildings
• Mold Sampling Methods in the Indoor Environment - In-depth article: detailed critique of popular mold testing methods - Is your mold test kit worth the bother?
• Humidity: What indoor humidity should we maintain in order to avoid a mold problem?

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS GUIDE
MOLD INFORMATION CENTER
ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT INDOOR MOLD
  See a Mold Doctor?
  Clean Up Mold Yourself?
  Mold Health Risks
  How to Find Mold
  How to Clean Up Mold
  Building Flood Response
  Mold Clearance Inspections
  Mold Prevention
  Other IAQ Concerns

HOW TO CLEAN UP MOLD: How to Clean or Remove Mold, Moldy Debris, Other Indoor Environmental Contaminants

For small areas of mold contamination, generally where less than 30 square feet of contiguous mold is present, simple building cleaning and renovation procedures are all that's needed and testing is usually not appropriate. Most building mold contamination falls in this first category. At DO IT YOURSELF MOLD CLEANUP we provide suggestions for a do-it-yourself cleanup of small areas of mold. At MOLD EXPERT, WHEN TO HIRE we provide guidelines to help decide when it is probably justified to bring in a mold expert to perform mold inspection and testing in a building. Please see these articles for full details on removing mold and assuring that the mold cleanup was handled correctly: MOLD CLEANUP GUIDE MOLD CLEANUP HEALTH RISKS MOLD CLEARANCE INSPECTIONS MOLD KILLING GUIDE MOLD LEVELS IN BUILDINGS Protect the occupants and yourself from mold, demolition dust, debris, cleaning chemicals, etc. Where a large area of cleanup is involved (more than 30 sq .ft.) a professional is usually called to establish negative air in the work area and to install containment barriers of plastic or other material to protect cleaner areas of the building from cross-contamination during the cleanup. If you used a building environmental specialist to inspect and define the scope of work, you should have baseline mold test samples of both the work area and other building areas which will permit you to state definitively, at the end of the cleanup, whether or not the cleanup has caused cross-contamination of other building areas. The spotless cleaning produced for the second photo above was obtained by using a professional who used media blasting to clean these surfaces. Such measures may be needed for large or complex surfaces, but quite often the necessary steps are less technical and less onerous, as we describe next.

Clean or remove mold and moldy debris: The most succinct Mold Remediation or Mold Cleanup Guidelines one could state would be this: the objective is not to sterilize your environment or "kill" mold, steps which are ineffective anyway - the operative words are "clean" or "remove" problem mold and then to correct its cause. We're talking about scrubbing here. It's the physical removal of moldy or allergenic debris that's important, not the surface sterilization.

The second I permit someone to "spray for mold" I can count on them to fail to do an adequate cleanup. Moldy drywall, paneling, trim, carpets, boxes, junk, are removed and disposed-of as construction debris or trash.

Be sure to remove insulation that has been wet or smells moldy or has been exposed to high levels of airborne mold. Clean all of the exposed surfaces. You could use water, soapy water, spray cleaners, or if you must, a dilute bleach cleaning solution. But bleaching is not the object. Keep that in mind.

More Reading: Mold Cleaning Procedures & Mold Remediation Standards Guidelines

• How to Clean Moldy Wood Framing & Sheathing How to clean/seal mold from/on exposed lumber or plywood subfloor or roof sheathing indoors - some suggestions based on our field and laboratory research
• Mold Cleaning, Remediation, & Clearance Testing Standards
• Building Floods - Steps to Clean and Prevent Mold Home Page - Advice on Cleaning Mold and Preventing Future Mold after a building flood
list of links to documents including other States: California Mold Cleanup Standards, Texas Mold Cleanup Standards, Pennsylvania Mold Cleanup Standards, EPA, CDC, and other U.S. state, federal, and world mold standards
• How to Find and Test For Mold in Buildings A 'how to' photo and text primer on finding and choosing the right spots to test for mold in buildings
• Media Blasting: Mold Removal by Media Blasting - A test report (complete article, with illustrations) on the effectiveness of baking soda media blasting for cleaning fungal contamination in buildings, Daniel Friedman, Dennis Melandro, originally published in Indoor Environment Connections, Rockville MD, June 2003
• Mold spores in the Home - a Photo ID Library for detection and identification of mold allergens.
• Stuff that is not mold but is often mistaken for it - things you may not want to test. Also, not all "black mold" is toxic - here are examples of harmless black mold.
• MN University of Minnesota - Fungal Abatement Safe Operating Procedure
• NY New York City Mold Remediation Guidelines - Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS GUIDE
MOLD INFORMATION CENTER
ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT INDOOR MOLD
  See a Mold Doctor?
  Clean Up Mold Yourself?
  Mold Health Risks
  How to Find Mold
  How to Clean Up Mold
  Building Flood Response
  Mold Clearance Inspections
  Mold Prevention
  Other IAQ Concerns

BUILDING FLOODS: What to do to Prevent Mold Growth After a Building Flood or Burst Pipe

If you scrolled down instead of using the links at left, you can read the most-current version of this article at BUILDING FLOODS - or use this FLOODS & MOLD CLEAN/PREVENT link

If your building has just been flooded by rising flood waters, a burst pipe, a waste line leak or other event, immediate action may prevent a very costly mold cleanup.

Review this checklist. If your building already has an actual or suspected mold problem, review this "Mold Action Guide" web page (this document).

If you did not take the steps in "Building Floods" below and are reading this section days or weeks after the flooding event, a comprehensive building survey for hidden mold or other contaminants may be needed before a full building cleanup plan can be made.

For full details of what to do to clean up a building after flooding to remove mold or to prevent mold growth in a flooded building see Building Floods - Steps to Clean and Prevent Mold.

More Reading: For more depth of understanding of mold prevention and cleanup see these articles:

• Building Floods - Steps to Clean and Prevent Mold Home Page - Advice on Cleaning Mold and Preventing Future Mold after a building flood
• Allergy & Mold Products to reduce indoor mold or allergen levels
• Attic Condensation and Ice Dam Leaks - Detection and Correcting Venting and Condensation Problems in Buildings
• Avoiding Mold - Building Floods adds more detailed suggestions about how to respond to avoid mold,
• How to Clean Moldy Wood Framing & Sheathing How to clean/seal mold from/on exposed lumber or plywood subfloor or roof sheathing indoors - some suggestions based on our field and laboratory research
• Humidity: What indoor humidity should we maintain in order to avoid a mold problem?
• Mold-Resistant Building Practices, advice from an expert on how to prevent mold after a building flood and how to prevent mold growth in buildings by selection of building materials and by anti-mold construction details.
• Ozone Warnings - Use of Ozone as a "mold" remedy is ineffective and may be dangerous.

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS GUIDE
MOLD INFORMATION CENTER
ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT INDOOR MOLD
  See a Mold Doctor?
  Clean Up Mold Yourself?
  Mold Health Risks
  How to Find Mold
  How to Clean Up Mold
  Building Flood Response
  Mold Clearance Inspections
  Mold Prevention
  Other IAQ Concerns

CLEARANCE INSPECTIONS: When & How to Perform a Mold Remediation Clearance Inspection

This chapter is maintained in a separate web page file at CLEARANCE PROCEDURES. This header and link remains in the main document for people who scroll down instead of using the links at left. To read about post mold remediation clearance inspections please use this link.

HOW TO PREVENT MOLD: Correct the Causes of Mold and Prevent Indoor Mold or other indoor environment problems

Please see MOLD PREVENTION GUIDE for the full article on this topic. Also see these articles:   Mold-Resistant Building Practices   Mold proof drywall? You Must Be Kidding!   Attic Condensation & Ice Dams   Humidity Targets for Indoors   IAQ or Anti Mold Products Our photo (left) shows a contractor pointing to wall leaks at an air conditioner, a source of mold found indoors at this building.

There is no point in "cleaning up" or "removing" mold if the underlying causes of a mold problem are not also addressed. Unless the causes, such as leaks or high moisture are corrected, mold will simply recur. Band-Aid approaches like trying to "kill" or "prevent" mold by using chemical sprays, coatings, or air cleaners are insufficient and ineffective at preventing future mold and in some cases (such as ozone) these approaches create their own hazards.

The following articles discuss measures which will substantially reduce the risk of mold growth in buildings. Don't miss Mold-Resistant Building Practices.

In the photo the contractor is pointing out to the owner that wind-blown rain running down the building's wall will enter the wall cavity at the air conditioner penetration because of improper installation and sealing there. Inside we found that the wall cavity was wet and moldy. Proper installation and sealing at building wall and roof penetrations such as roof vents, windows, doors, and trim can prevent many building leaks which in turn reduces the chances of a future mold problem.

• Conditions moving mold downwards from an attic include the following:
  • Mold growth in HVAC ducts or air handlers found in an attic
  • Mold on any attic surface or in attic insulation if it is a species producing airborne spores and if the building uses a whole house ventilating fan, especially if there is inadequate exit venting for the fan operation. This condition pressurizes the attic and moves mold down through various openings into the floors below.
  • Mold on building surfaces in an attic or attic knee wall space which opens onto or has a knee wall common with an upper floor living space such as a bedroom.

Building Exterior Leaks and Mold No mold cleanup project will be successful unless you correct the conditions that caused mold growth in the first place. An expert inspection and report should find and suggest remedies for site and building exterior conditions that produce mold or for building areas that serve as a mold reservoir or as amplifiers for allergens, mold, mildew, excessive pollen or pet dander. The basic steps: find all unwanted moisture sources, correct appropriate building, site, landscaping, & construction details. 90% of the wet basements and crawl spaces I see are caused by bad or missing roof gutters and downspouts. An environmental investigator who has training and experience in building science, mycology (mold science), and IAQ, or in some cases an experienced ASHI-Certified home inspector or sick building investigator who is who has a similar in-depth understanding of construction failures can be helpful at this step. The photograph shows a double problem with this wood shingle exterior wall: shingles are improperly installed and falling off of the home, inviting water to enter the wall structure. Because there is no roof overhang or eaves, and not even a gutter on the home, roof runoff runs right down this wall.

Building Interior Leaks and Mold: address interior conditions that produce or serve as reservoir or amplifier for common allergens: mold, pollen, pet dander as well as other possible respiratory irritants such as latex, paints, product-outgassing furniture or carpets, and renovation hazards such as lead paint or chemicals or other environmental issues. Plumbing leaks that are unattended, water running under kitchen or bathroom cabinets when fixtures are in use, and air conditioning system condensate leaks into the building or into the HVAC duct work are examples of indoor leaks that can lead to a mold problem if not promptly attended. The photograph shows extensive staining from protracted plumbing leaks in a house that was left unattended. The result was extensive basement mold requiring demolition and cleaning of large area of the home.

• Mechanical Systems (Heating and Air Conditioning Systems) and Mold: HVAC - Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Systems and Duct Work Cleaning and Remediation Issues & Advice about mold are needed from the same expert. I often find that a building owner has paid for "duct cleaning" only to discover that simply opening the air handler unit (AHU) shows a filthy or moldy blower compartment! Thoroughness is important as is the choice of duct replacement materials to reduce the chance of new mold growth and to make the system easier to clean.

• Fresh Air Ventilation / Air-to-Air Heat Exchange: contact local HVAC contractors and see products

These Articles Offer Details on Mold Prevention

• Mold-Resistant Building Practices, advice from an expert on how to prevent mold after a building flood and how to prevent mold growth in buildings by selection of building materials and by anti-mold construction details.
• Mold proof drywall? You Must Be Kidding!
• Moisture control, dehumidification, ventilation: reduce conditions that encourage mold growth
  • Condensation: Detecting and Correcting Attic Condensation and Preventing Ice Dam Leaks in Buildings
  • Humidity: What indoor humidity should we maintain in order to avoid a mold problem?
  • IAQ or Anti Mold Products:Allergy/Asthma, Air Quality, Cleaning, Filtering, Ventilating, Dehumidification Products
  • Contact a home inspector or a local de-watering contractor for inspection and advice

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS GUIDE
MOLD INFORMATION CENTER
ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT INDOOR MOLD
  See a Mold Doctor?
  Clean Up Mold Yourself?
  Mold Health Risks
  How to Find Mold
  How to Clean Up Mold
  Building Flood Response
  Mold Clearance Inspections
  Mold Prevention
  Other IAQ Concerns

OTHER IAQ ISSUES: How To Find and Address Other Indoor Air or Indoor Environment Contaminants Besides Mold

Mold or allergens may not be the only or even the main indoor environmental contaminant. Don't let media attention to mold cause so much enviro-scare fear that other, possibly more urgent hazards go un-addressed.

• Fiberglass building insulation and HVAC duct work insulation hazards
• Sewage and Septic backup contamination in buildings: inspection, testing, remediation, & references to expert sources
• Other environmental risks: Asbestos, carbon monoxide, electromagnetic fields, environmental illness, fiberglass, MCS - multiple chemical sensitivity, toxic gases, etc
• Indoor Gas Sampling Plan for Residential Buildings lists a number of toxic indoor gases which we test for, depending on the building complaint and building conditions
• Ozone Warnings - Use of Ozone as a "mold" remedy is ineffective and may be dangerous.
• Pet control - if you can't say goodbye to your bird, cat, dog, guinea pig, hamster, tropical fish, then limit the areas they occupy and limit the airflow from that area to sleeping or other areas of the building, use allergenic bedding, eliminate wall-to-wall carpeting, improve housecleaning including use of a HEPA-rated vacuum cleaner. For more details see our article Dog, Cat, and Other Animal Dander - Information for Asthmatics and Indoor Air Quality
• Rodents, Mice, Squirrel Control - I find high levels of mouse and rodent dander, fecal dust, and urine-contaminated dust in some buildings, and high levels of these materials in building insulation in those locations. If you have a mouse problem, particularly if mice and their waste (fecals or urine) are contaminating the building HVAC or building insulation, may need both steps to clean up or remove infected materials and steps to stop an ongoing rodent problem. If squirrels are a problem, the cleanup needs to include closing off entry openings into the building. Get some help from a licensed pest control expert.
• Mold FAQs Answers to Most Questions about Indoor Mold, Mold Related Illness, Mold Cleanup, Mold Prevention
• Mold Info Center Mold Home Page

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS GUIDE
FLOODS IN BUILDINGS-priorities
FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP
MOLD: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO MOLD
MOLD INFORMATION CENTER
ACCURACY OF VARIOUS MOLD TEST METHODS
ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT INDOOR MOLD
  See a Mold Doctor?
  Clean Up Mold Yourself?
  Mold Health Risks
  How to Find Mold
  How to Clean Up Mold
  Building Flood Response
  Mold Clearance Inspections
  Mold Prevention
  Other IAQ Concerns
ALLERGEN TESTS for BUILDINGS
CLEARANCE INSPECTIONS
DO IT YOURSELF MOLD CLEANUP
FIND MOLD in BUILDINGS, HOW TO
HIDDEN MOLD
INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
INDOOR AIR QUALITY METHODS COMPARED
LEAD POISONING HAZARDS GUIDE
MOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS
MOLD ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT MOLD
MOLD AGE - Old is the Mold?
MOLD APPEARANCE - WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE
MOLD APPEARANCE - STUFF THAT IS NOT MOLD
MOLD ATLAS & PARTICLES INDEX
MOLD CLASSES, HAZARD LEVELS
MOLD CLEANUP GUIDE- HOW TO GET RID OF MOLD
MOLD CLEARANCE INSPECTIONS
MOLD DETECTION & INSPECTION GUIDE
MOLD DOCTOR?
MOLD EXPERT, WHEN TO HIRE
MOLD EXPOSURE RISK LEVELS
MOLD EXPOSURE STANDARDS
MOLD FAQ's
MOLD FREQUENCY in BUILDINGS
MOLD GROWTH on SURFACES
MOLD INSPECTORS & MOLD TESTERS
MOLD LEVEL REPORTS
MOLD LEVELS IN BUILDINGS
MOLD by MICROSCOPE
MOLD ODORS, MUSTY SMELLS
MOLD PREVENTION GUIDE
MOLD RELATED ILLNESS GUIDE
MOLD RELATED ILLNESS SYMPTOMS
MOLD SPRAYS, SEALANTS, PAINTS
MOLD STANDARDS
MOLD TEST KITS
MOLD TEST KITS for DIY MOLD TESTS
MOLD TEST PROCEDURES
MOLD TEST REASONS
MOLD TESTING METHOD VALIDITY
ODORS, Smells, Gases in Buildings-Diagnosis & Cure
RENTERS & TENANTS GUIDE TO MOLD
SEWAGE BACKUP TEST & CLEANUP
STAIN DIAGNOSIS
TECHNICAL & LAB PROCEDURES
THERMAL TRACKING

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

• Books, Complete List of Environmental Inspection, Diagnosis, Cleanup, Air Quality & Design, Inspection, Repair Books at the InspectAPedia Bookstore
• Environmental Health & Investigation Bibliography - our own technical library on indoor air quality inspection, testing, laboratory procedures, forensic microscopy, etc.

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

...

InspectAPedia® Home & Site Map - Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair, & Problem Prevention Advice: In-depth research & advice on diagnosing, testing, correcting, & preventing building defects & indoor environmental hazards. Unbiased information, no conflicts of interest.

The Mold Information Center: What to Do About Mold in Buildings, When and How to Inspect for Mold, Clean Up Mold, or Avoid Mold Problems

Use this simple, economical mold test kit by following our instructions on how to collect and mail mold samples to our lab

Environmental Inspection, Testing, & Diagnosis On-Site IAQ, Gas, Air Testing, Mold Investigation, Sick Building Diagnosis, Lab Services, & Remediation Plan Preparation - indoor air quality testing, problem source determination, supporting lab work, written remediation plan addressing removal of environmental and other hazards and prevention of their recurrence.

Building Inspection, Problem Diagnosis, Forensic Investigation & Testing, Repair Consulting

Contact Daniel Friedman for website content suggestions or for fee-paid consulting