If mold is allowed to grow indoors (inside your house), it can and will be a problem and if not properly taken care of can and does create a number of health problems. Mold is deemed to be a health hazard and it is Health Canada's recommendation that no human or animal for that matter reside in a building that has mold. Always keep your pets health and safety in mind as well when dealing with mold, they are just as suceptable to mold as we are and mold can have the same unhealthy affects on them.
In addition to health conditions, which can be mild to serious depending on the individual, the amount of exposure and the length of exposure, mold can also damage your possessions and in many cases has even left individuals homeless due to extensive contamination.
So when dealing with mold, toxic or otherwise, it is important to know what course of action to take. Therefore, to prevent or reduce the growth of these microscopic fungi and their health related hazards, you must ensure that your environment is not conducive to their needs.
Taking paper and pen, complete a visual inspection of your home, office, etc., going from room to room. Keeping in mind that even if you do not see or smell any mold, that it doesn't mean that it is not hidden behind or beneath the surfaces. Be sure to list any known leaks or floods that have occured and how they were cleaned.
Here are some guidelines to follow when making your inspection, especially noting any visible mold growth in each area:
1) Check all windows for condesation, darkened surfaces - in and around frames.
2) Check in and under bathroom sinks, around facets and smell for any odors. Check around base of toilet(s). Check in and around bathtub(s) and their facets. Check caulking around all sinks, toilets and tubs to ensure it is not worn or missing. Discoloration on tiles.
3) Check seals on fridges and freezers - this is sometimes an indication that mold is airborne in the home when you consistently have blackened surfaces on the seals of your fridge and freezer and/or if you find they need be replaced too frequently because of corrosion.
4) Check carpets and floor surfaces for dampness, especially under any floor boards that are lifting or any blackend corners on carpet near baseboards on walls.
5) Check for condensation or rusting on pipes, any leaking.
6) Check for cracks in the foundation flooring, damp basements or crawl spaces.
7) Leaky roofs, missing shingles, improper caulking on exterior ventalation systems.
8) Any noticeable water stains/discoloration, or signs of damage on any walls, floors, ceilings, especially where paint is peeling or cracked.
9) Blocked or backed-up gutters.
10) Lifting or loosening drywall tape.
11) Check that dryer vents ventilate outside.
12) Check ventilation fans - stove and bathrooms for venting outside - if inside check these areas for mold.
13) Check for musty odors, signs of mildew.
Note those areas that have a musty odor, because typically where these is odor, there is mold and/or bacterial growth. Water stains mean past or ongoing leaks, don't ignor the signs.
Ventilation systems should be checked on a regular basis to make sure that they are fully functional and to know exactly where they vent to. Some ventilation systems vent back into your home - such as your attic - this could potentially create over time a breeding ground for mold. It is always best to have all systems vent outdoors, however this is not always the case. Proper ventilation is one of the most essential keys to preventing microbiological growths, such as mold.
This next section will focus on some important information on the subject of mold infestations and it's prevention.
Did you know that after a flood or major leaking problem, that you should air out your home every two to three hours over the next 24 hours. It's certainly something to consider when you think about the fact that mold is attracted to moisture and our indoor environments tend to have constricted air-flow which in turn greatly limits the drying process. Opening doors and windows aids in the drying process and so make for some very good advice.
As it should be in every situation, preventative maintenance is the best measure anyone can take. To prevent or reduce the growth of fungi, ensure that your environment is not conducive to it's needs. If leaks are not properly attended to, and poor ventilation exists, then your home is open to attack and your health at risk.