New York Times article: Repelling the Dark Invader Mold

May 4, 2011 - PRLog -- IT creeps in through the windows, eats the furniture, sticks to the walls and is one of the most unwelcome house guests you’ll ever have.

It’s mold. And no matter where your second home may be and what the climate is, if you don’t keep up your end of the never-ending battle with moisture, you’ll have to deal with it.  “The temperatures we typically live at are comfortable for mold,” said Dr. Mark J. Banner, a microbiologist who is the director of the IMS Laboratory and an instructor for the National Association of Mold Prevention, both in Walled Lake, Mich. “And they can feed off of anything that’s got cellulose — so wood, paper, books, furniture are all potential food sources.

” Even if you’re only at your second home for part of the year, there are two fronts on which to wage your war: the outside and the inside. Outside, make sure that gutters are clear and that downspouts carry water away from the house. “One of the biggest problems I see is not having gutters,” Dr.Banner said. “Or the downspouts don’t have extensions to carry the water away from the property.” Cracked chimney masonry, separating roof shingles, deteriorating sundeck flashing, or the cracked, loose frame of a door or window — all those are potential inroads for mold. “Separation of the baseboards, where they join in the corner or spread apart — that’s an indication,” said Michael A. Pugliese, a mold remediator and the author of “The Home Owner’s Guide to Mold” (RSMeans). Stained wallboard or a separated window frame are other tip-offs, as is mold on your leather clothing or furniture.

“Leather holds moisture better than fabric,” Mr. Pugliese said. “It’s a good food.” On the inside, take care to keep the house cool and dry. As a second-home owner himself (in Puerto Rico), Mr. Pugliese has had success with dehumidifiers. “Remove the tray
and hook up a  garden hose, and then run the hose outside and let the dehumidifiers run all the time,” he said. Another machine that can help in the fight is the air- conditioner, which not only cools but also moves the air. “Mold will grow in all different temperatures,” Mr. Pugliesesaid, “but you can slow its growth in less than 48 percent humidity.”

Also pay attention to plumbing: shore up any leaks under the bathtub, and add an exhaust fan to the bathroom. “Test it,” Dr. Banner said. “See that it actually is drying air out of that room. By drying it out, you’re preventing mold from growing.” Old, spongy carpets and outdoor furniture that is brought inside are additional hot spots.

One easy tool to keep in your arsenal is any basic household disinfectant that has the compound dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (you might see it listed as any compound C12 through C18); these are better than bleach because they penetrate deeper into porous materials.

“One of the most common and simplest things is good housekeeping,” Dr. Banner said. “Go along the windows. That’s where a lot of moisture and dust and dirt and debris collect. That’s a huge source of mold, so simply cleaning and disinfecting will help.”

If you do find that you have mold, you might consider calling in a pro before you start ripping out walls and possibly cross-contaminating your rooms. But make sure any remediator you hire is certified from a reliable source and has insurance.

“Ask how much experience they have and ask for five references,” Mr. Pugliese said. “Because after three, you’re running out of friends and family; 33 percent of my business is going in to re- treat where someone else has done the job poorly.”

The bad news, he added, is that remediation can be expensive — as can the reconstruction you might need to undertake after moldy walls or roofing is removed. Check your  ho me o wner’s insurance;  if you're not covered, he said, "you need to buy a mold rider, and $50,000 of insurance
is an appropriate amount."

Because,  as in any battle, it's  better to invest in armor like that upfront,  instead  of
scrambling for coverage  when the enemy is at your door. Or window.

# # #

Mold Sickness can effect everyone! If you have/are suffering from mold exposure. Let us find the Medical, Legal and Environmental help you need (770) 991 6653