April Showers bring May Flowers and Mold Growth into your Home!
By Rachel Ataman, LEED AP Vice President of Technical Services

Molds can be found almost anywhere: they can grow on virtually any organic substance, as long as moisture and oxygen are present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, foods and insulation. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth will often occur particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed. It is impossible to eliminate all mold and molds spores in the indoor environment. However, mold growth can be controlled indoors by controlling moisture indoors.

Molds reproduce by making spores that usually cannot be seen without a magnification. Mold spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing or digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive. Molds gradually destroy things they grow on.

Since mold requires water to grow, it is important to prevent moisture problems in your homes. Moisture can enter our homes in a liquid or vapor phase. Water in its liquid form, is introduced intentionally in bathrooms, kitchens and laundries and accidentally by way of leaks and spills. During this time of the year it is very common for water to enter into our basements during heavy rains. Some of that water evaporates and joins the water vapor exhaled by building occupants as they breathe or that is introduced by humidifiers. Water vapor also moved in and out of buildings as part of the air that is mechanically introduced or that infiltrates and exfiltrates through openings in the building envelope. A lesser amount of water vapor diffuses into and out of the building through the building materials themselves. Access water vapor (or elevated relative humidity) can enter a home during the hot summer months or by condensation when the air conditioner is improperly operating.

The Federal Environmental Protection Agency offers the following tips to prevent mold growth:

• Fix leaky plumbing and leaks in the home as soon as possible
  
• Watch for condensation around wet spots.
  
• Prevent moisture due to condensation by increasing surface temperature or reducing the moisture level in air (humidity). To increase surface temperature, insulate or increase air circulation. To reduce the moisture level in air, repair leaks, increase ventilation (if outside air is cold an dry) or dehumidify (if outdoor air is warm and humid). Your air conditioning should not be producing condensation. If this is occurring the unit may be too powerful for the room size.
  
• Vent moisture-generating appliances such as dryers to the outside when possible.
  
• Maintain low indoor humidity, below 60% relative humidity (RH) ideally 30 to 50% if possible.
  
• Perform regular building/HVAC inspection and maintenance as scheduled.
  
• Clean and dry wet or damp spots within 48 hours.
  
• Don’t let foundations stay wet. Provide drainage and sloe the ground away from the foundation.

If mold does begin to grow in your home than Hydro Tech can perform a mold survey to determine if the mold has entered into the air of your home and where it has traveled in your home. Hydro Tech can advise you on how to reduce the elevated moisture levels that are causing the mold growth. Once the source of water is identified and repaired, Hydro Tech can then perform the remediation of the mold and the proper “vacuuming” of the air throughout your home. Upon completion of the mold remediation Hydro Tech will then take air samples to confirm all mold has been properly remediated.

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