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Keep Your Home Dry: Control Mold
Controlling the moisture is the key to mold control. Reducing moisture in your home will help control rodents, roaches and dust mites, all of which are associated with asthma. Some common causes of mold are:
- Leaking pipes and fixtures
- High humidity from clothes dryer not vented outdoors; no working exhaust fan in the bathroom and kitchen; a large number of houseplants; unvented kerosene or gas heater; water in crawl space
- Roof leak
- Flooding
Action Steps to Prevent Mold:
- Maintain indoor relative humidity under 60%
- Repair leaky faucets and pipes
- Use exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms
- Dry water damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours
Mold and Asthma
Mold is one of several asthma triggers in your home. Mold can trigger asthma attacks in persons who are allergic or sensitized to molds, and can worsen asthma in non-allergic (non-sensitized) people. Exposure to mold comes through inhaling or breathing it in. For more information on the health effects of mold visit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website (http://www.epa.gov/asthma/molds.html).
Mold Testing
Testing mold in your home is usually unnecessary and can be expensive. Hundreds of types of mold can be found in the home environment, and the process for cleaning mold is similar no matter what type of mold is in your home. In Georgia, and many other states, there are no licensing requirements for mold professionals. Shop carefully before Hiring a Mold Remediation Contractor, and look for someone with professional credentials.
Mold Cleanup
Most small areas of mold (less than 10 square feet) can be cleaned without hiring a professional; however, care should be taken to reduce health risks. Tips for mold cleanup:
- Dry out all wet materials within 48 hours of water damage
- Porous materials (carpet, wood, ceiling tiles, etc.): Dry them out completely. These items may need to be discarded.
- Non-porous materials (metal, solid wood, plastic, etc.): Use detergent and water to clean. Dry completely.
More information on mold can be found in the UGA publications Quick Facts about Mold, Preventing Mold in Your Home and Removing Mold in Your Home.
Tools and Resources:
Home Moisture Audit (Environmental Health Watch)
A Brief Guide to Mold and Moisture in Your Home (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
Mold Remediation (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
Health Effects of Mold (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention)
Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) (Cooperative Extension)
Mold & Moisture Control
More Information · 2 pages · 2007 More Information · Español · 2 pages · 2003 Steps to remove mold in your home. Ways to eliminate mold in your home. More Information · Español · 2 pages · 2003 Steps to eliminate moisture problems. Stopping mold from growing in your home.
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