Last Updated: February 20, 2019
Description
Mold: Strategies to remove sources of moisture
Images:
- Gloved hand cleaning mold on door – UNC CEHS COEC
- Woman removing wet items from flooded home – US FEMA.
Big idea: When mold is already in a home, it must be removed.
Talking points:
- To remove mold you must remove the damp, molded materials through which moisture has traveled and soaked. Examples include drywall, carpet, furniture and other fixtures in a home.
- If mold exists, cleaning it with soap and water should be sufficient to remove it, as long as you’ve also made sure to fix the source of the moisture. One final, but important step is to dry the area where the mold was cleaned.
- If the area is larger than the size of an oven door, which is about three feet by three feet, hire a professional to clean it up.
- By controlling the amount of moisture coming into the home and getting rid of items that get damp, you’re creating clean, dry conditions for people who have asthma.
Sources:
David Lipton, NCDHHS Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology, “Managing Citizen Inquiries about Dampness and Mold Growth,” 2016
National Center for Healthy Housing
Categories: Mold/Moisture