About Mold

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 mold spores in the indoor environment. However, mold growth can be controlled indoors by controlling moisture indoors.

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.

Bleach Facts & Myths

There are a lot of half-truths and outright lies floating around, held as truths by most people. It's hard to know what's what, especially when the phrase "black mold" starts getting thrown around. The use of a biocide, such as chlorine bleach, is not recommended as a routine practice during mold remediation, although there may be instances where 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 in the air (roughly equivalent to or lower than the level in outside air). These spores will not grow if the moisture problem in the building has been resolved.

Bleach is generally not recommended as a fungicide (mold killer). It works by dousing the mold in toxic levels of a chemical. The problem is twofold: not only are humans just as susceptible to bleach's damaging properties, but the bleach is generally a water-based solution. In the long run, this often means that water penetrates the surface, giving moisture to the roots of the mold, which happily begins to grow again. In the case of small patches of mold, ordinary household detergent will suffice. It is important to make sure that the area dries quickly (ideally within 24-48 hours) so that any small bits (too small to see with the naked eye) of mold left over don't get the chance to start growing again.

Mold Prevention

Mold is everywhere, no matter what you do.
Bits of mold are part of the air you breathe everywhere you go. Molds grow on plants and in soil, float off into the air, and float in through your doors and windows. You've been dealing with it all your life and there is usually no way (except in very special circumstances) to create a space with no mould in the air.

Can I get rid of it?
Mold is able to grow because it has a moisture source. Often this means that there is or was a leak or something similar involved in the first place. Just removing the mold without fixing the water problem will usually result in the mold coming back. Also, mold can grow behind walls in addition to just on them, so it is important to determine whether you've only dealt with a portion of the mold, or the whole thing.

Large areas of mold should really be dealt with by a professional.
When mold areas get larger than about 10 square feet (about a square meter) or you don't know the extent of the problem (for instance: mold can grow behind the walls) it is important to bring in a professional who is familiar with how to deal with mold properly. This sized area usually requires extra precautions when removing mold. Much larger areas of mold can require very complicated procedures and precautions. Even a common, usually harmless mold can be a health issue when there is a lot of it.

Renters Mold

I am a renter. I was forced to vacate because the mold had made me so sick that I needed a respirator to enter my apartment. My landlord ignores my complaints. Who is responsible for removing the mold?

The landlord would be responsible as the property owner. You as the tenant may have a claim against the landlord for negligence if the mold conditions are not mitigated. The residential Landlord Tenant laws of all states require that the landlord maintain the property free of health and safety problems. The landlord also has the duty to keep the premises livable under the warranty of habitability.

Landlords have the responsibility to maintain residential rental property and repair any defects or problems. Under most state law, there is an implied warranty of habitability; that is, a landlord not only must deliver residential rental property to the tenant in a habitable condition, but s/he remains responsible for maintaining the property in a habitable condition during the term of the lease.

"Habitability" is typically defined in local housing codes. It is usually defined as the minimum standard for decent, safe, sanitary housing suitable for residential purposes.

Most communities have local housing codes. The codes are local ordinances or laws that require owners of real property, including landlords, to maintain the property and make any necessary repairs. These codes typically require that any residential rental property offered by a landlord must meet the minimum standards established in the code. The landlord's responsibility is not only to deliver the rental property to the tenant in compliance with the housing codes but also to maintain compliance with the housing codes throughout the term that the tenant has use and possession of the rental property.

If you have a complaint, you can notify the landlord and the appropriate housing authority; however, do not threaten to notify the housing authority and not do it in order to get some landlord concession as this could be a form of "extortion".

Realtors Mold

MIDWEST ENVIROSPECT recommends that real estate sellers, buyers, and real estate agents/brokers follow nine steps to avoid mold problems and lawsuits in the selling and buying of real estate properties.
 
1. A property owner should not even offer the property for sale, or list it for sale with a Realtor® or other real estate agent/broker, until after a thorough mold inspection and mold testing of the home, rental property, or commercial property. Hire a Certified Mold Inspector that works with certified labs and issues written reports.

2. If the owner discovers visible or hidden mold problems, he should do safe and effective mold removal and remediation prior to offering the property for sale. Hire a Certified Mold Remediator or follow the recommended steps for safe and effective do-it-yourself mold remediation. Re-inspect and re-test the building after remediation.

3. The owner should avoid hiding or camouflaging mold problems by deceptions such as painting over mold growth; concealing mold growth behind stored items, furniture, furnishings, and decorations; and masking the distinctive smell of mold growth with air fresheners and deodorizers. The smell of mold is from the digestive gases of the mold eating the building materials.

4. The real estate sales contract should include an environmental inspection clause that grants at least a 10 to 15 day inspection period. The buyer should hire an independent inspector such as a Certified Mold Inspector, Certified Environmental Hygienist, industrial hygienist, and/or home inspector with mold certification to inspect and test thoroughly the property for mold and other environmental dangers. 

5. The mold inspector or the buyer himself should do an all-around physical examination of the building for both visible and hidden signs of water damage and mold growth.  In addition, the inspector or the buyer should mold test the air and visible mold growths in all rooms, the basement, crawl space, attic, garage, plus the outward airflow from each heating/cooling duct register.

6. Mold testing requires mold laboratory analysis and mold species identification of the collected mold and air samples. In building locations with previous floods or leaks, the examination should also include fiber optics inspection to look inside water-penetrated surfaces for hidden mold infestations.

7. The seller should disclose in writing to all prospective buyers any previous or present building water and mold problems, and what the owner has done, if anything, to correct such problems. These water damage and mold disclosures are attached to the real estate sales contract and the buyer acknowledges receipt thereof by separate signature. 

8. In consideration of the seller’s accurate and complete mold disclosure, and the buyer’s full and unrestricted opportunity to inspect and test the property thoroughly and carefully, the sales contract may include a seller’s requirement that the real estate property being sold is “as is.” This is with no implied or express warranties as to the physical, mold, and environmental condition of the property.

9. Similarly, the sales contract may also include a seller-requested clause that releases the seller, lender, and real estate agent/broker from all mold liability to the buyer. This release of liability should be contingent on the accuracy and completeness of the provided details in the seller’s written mold disclosure and on the buyer’s full and unrestricted right to do mold inspection and mold testing prior to completing the property purchase.