What is damp mold?

Damp mold is usually caused by continuous dampness in an area such as bathrooms and displays as a fungus that grows on walls and ceilings.   Mold is made up of tiny spores that travel through the air and land in wet areas where they can go about reproducing their spores.  Damp mold usually occurs only in those areas that are constantly damp or moist, or where there is poor ventilation.  The key to preventing damp mold  occurring is to keep the inside of your home dry.

If left untreated damp mold can affect people’s health.    It is important therefore, to nip mold in the bud quickly or it can become a health hazard.

I recently helped my daughter move out of her home and was horrified to see the amount of  damp mold in her home.  As you will read from our family’s experience with mold, if left untreated, it can  cause serious health issues.  Unfortunately at the time of her moving I did not take any photos of the mold growing in her home.

Her home was a fabulous old home built in Victoria (Australia) in 1893.  It had 300mm thick walls, was built from stone, had timber floors and windows, 5 metre high ceilings and corrugated iron roof, and yet it had issues with mold getting in behind its walls and through the roof.  From what I could see the problem stemmed from a replacement corrugated iron roof not being finished properly, leaking over the bathroom, and no damp course material used where the roof joins the walls.

When I opened kitchen and bathroom cupboards there was a definite smell damp mold odor in the cupboards, which indicated there was a problem with moisture getting in to the walls.  Damp mold was particularly bad where an new electric oven had replaced a wood fire stove and there was water dripping onto the top of the oven.   A disaster waiting to happen!!!

There were dark grey blotches  high up on the walls of the bathroom which indicated  mold spores on the walls.

When we moved her latex mattress we were both shocked to find a huge mold stain at least 75cm across on the underside of the mattress.   The presence of damp mold in her mattress suggested that she had a problem with rising damp coming through the floor of her bedroom, even though she had a large carpet mat under the bed.  Continual dampness in a room is sufficient for mold spores to grow over a period of 18 months.  We have no doubt that this is the reason why she developed pneumonia.

If left untreated damp mold may cause respiratory problems, allergies and other serious health problems and in my daughter’s case the doctor told her it was the continual dampness in her home that was the issue for her pnuemonia

Why should you be concerned about damp mold?

• If walls become stained with mold and are left untreated the mold will be difficult to remove.

• If mold forms around timber window and door frames, if left untreated, may eventually cause wood rot and structural damage

• When mold is growing inside the home, the mold spores may cause health issues

What can you do to prevent mold growth?

• The key to preventing damp mold is to maintain a dry home as dry surfaces do not promote mold growth.

• Check your home regularly for roofing, gutters, downpipes and plumbing leaks.  Also check for evidence of mold forming on walls and ceilings.  For example if you see a mold stain on the ceiling it is probable that you have a leaking roof!  Any leaks should be repaired without delay.

• Another area to check is whether rain is getting in behind flashings around windows and doors.  This may be a real issue in homes built in recent years with no eaves.  Any evidence of moisture entering needs to be fixed as soon as possible.

• Check furniture (particularly the underside of mattresses) for mold spores.

• Keep your home well ventilated in summer and warm and dry in winter months, or during those times when you have constant rain or high humidity.  If necessary use appropriate heating to dry out the moisture that may be present in your home.

Suggested Green Solutions to eliminate damp mold:

Vinegar is reported to be effective in killing 82% of mold, so is well worth trying before using more toxic methods.  Here is what I have found effective.

Option 1 – 5% White Vinegar

• Take a small spray bottle and pour undiluted vinegar into the spray bottle
• Spray on the affected area and leave – do not rinse
• There will be a strong vinegar smell initially, but this will dissipate within a couple of hours

Option 2 – Apple Cider Vinegar

• Try 1 part water to 2 parts Apple Cider Vinegar (the light brown one)
• Spray on and leave

Annie Bond from www. www.care2.com recommends the solution below.

Option 3 – Tea Tree Treasure

“Nothing natural works for mold and mildew as well as this spray. I’ve used it successfully on a moldy ceiling from a leaking roof, on a musty bureau, a musty rug and a moldy shower curtain. Tea tree oil is expensive, but a little goes a very long way. Note that the smell of tea tree oil is very strong, but it will dissipate in a few days.

2 teaspoons tea tree oil
2 cups water

Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse. Makes about 2 cups and lasts indefinitely.”

Also the The Homeowner’s Guide to Mold will show you how to:

• Inspect for mold throughout a home.
• Remove mold and keep it from coming back… including the best maintenance procedures to prevent mold growth and more ….

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

3 Responses to “Damp Mold”