Mold growth inside wall cavity caused by water intrusion (full remediation)
What is the phrase “toxic” or “black” mold mean? (ADD)
Not used in professional remediation industry – media / scary terms
Black mold = Stachybotrys mold – define
Toxic = hard to determine what’s toxic
Mold naturally occurs outdoors – is the outdoors toxic?
Elevated levels, in a closed space can be toxic
For landlords: if your tenant reports a mold problem to you what should you do to investigate?
Listen for health issues or complaints
Respond quickly if babies, children, elderly, or immuno-compromised
Consider high risk situations – get IH involved
For tenants: when you report a mold problem to your landlord what should you expect him or her to do to address it?
Identify if it’s a housekeeping issue or a structural/plumbing issue causing a leak
When can mold be considered to be just a housekeeping problem?
Define surface mold – grout in bathroom on paint
Wash walls to minimize – mold growing on dust on wall/ceiling – keep it clean
When mold is present and determined to be a serious issue how disruptive is the abatement process to a tenant’s daily life?
Removal of wall materials, containment3-5 days + time for repairs. 2 weeks total if wall material is removed.
When is it safe for a tenant to try to clean mold?
Mold on your grout in bathroom should be cleaned by tenant – housekeeping – keep surfaces clean so mold cannot grow
Heavy mold on painted surfaces may need to receive a through cleaning by a professional, then tenant must upkeep the cleaning. This includes washing walls with soap and water – remove ‘bio-mass’ or dust so mold does not grow.
What are some of the best ways to clean superficial mold from walls and ceilings in your home?
Soap and water is sufficient. Some use 10-1 water/bleach. I prefer soap and water.
When is it necessary to hire a licensed hazardous material abatement contractor for dealing with lead/mold/asbestos in a home or rental property?
Any time you’re disturbing wall materials. Might need moisture meters to determine if the existing wall material can be dried or if they need to be replaced.
What should you do if you suspect that mold is causing health problems for you or a member of your family?
Look for mold growth – properly remediate it – see if symptoms persist. If so, contact Dr.
How easy is it for tenants or doctors to determine whether household mold is causing a specific health problem?
It’s not. The science between connecting mold to health issues is young and developing. Science is catching up.
If your doctor determines the symptoms are indicative of mold in your home, and you don’t know where it is – look around. If you cannot find it, have testing done and remediate it when you find it.
