Mold growth problems can adversely affect many
homeowners in Texas. Homeowners who act quickly and appropriately can
prevent or correct conditions that may cause mold growth.
The Texas Department of Health (TDH) and Texas
Department of Insurance (TDI) prepared this publication to help you
understand the concerns related to mold growth and to provide some
effective steps you can take to help prevent mold growth.
The following information will help protect your
investment in your home and may prevent the possibility of health risks
due to mold exposure.
If you are a renter, you should
contact your landlord or property manager immediately when you have a
maintenance need related to water damage.
Contents
What Are Molds?
Why Are Molds a Concern?
Damage to the Home
Health Effects
How Can I Protect My
Home From Mold?
Moisture Control
Inspection
Other Precautions
Prevention
What Do I Do If A Leak Occurs?
Potential Signs of Mold
Growth
Resources
Molds are microscopic organisms commonly found both
indoors and outdoors. Molds, along with mushrooms and yeast, are known
scientifically as fungi. Their purpose in nature is to break down dead
material and recycle nutrients in the environment. For molds to grow
and reproduce, they need a food source - any organic material, such as
leaves, wood, paper, or dirt - and moisture. Since molds grow by
"eating" the organic material, they gradually destroy whatever they are
feeding on. Mold growth on surfaces can often be seen as a colored
spot, frequently green, gray, brown, black or white. It commonly
appears as a powdery, fuzzy, or hair-like material. Actively growing
molds typically produce odors, sometimes described as earthy or moldy,
or like mildew, old dirty socks, or ammonia. Molds release thousands of
microscopic spores, which are lightweight, easily airborne and carried
by air currents to surrounding areas. The spores must have both food
and moisture to actually start growing, similar to plant seeds.
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Why Are Molds a
Concern?
It is common to find mold spores in the air inside
homes, and on most surfaces including clothes, walls, and furniture.
Most of the time mold spores found indoors come from outdoor sources.
Routine cleaning of your home and furnishings helps keep these levels
low. Cleaning small areas of visible mold, such as mold that may occur
around your shower, is necessary to prevent unsanitary conditions.
The level of concern greatly increases when there are
large amounts of active mold growth in your home. Large-scale mold
problems are most likely to occur when there has been an on-going water
leak, a flood, or very high levels of humidity in the home. Indoor mold
growth may cause very high levels of airborne mold spores, which, in
turn, may cause the spread of mold growth from the original source to
other areas of the home where high moisture levels exist. Extensive
mold growth can damage your home and belongings, such as carpets, sofas
and cabinets. In time, unchecked mold growth can cause damage to the
structural elements in your home. While there is no practical way to
eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment, keeping
your home clean and dry can prevent extensive mold growth and its
related damage.
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The vast majority of people are exposed to small
amounts of mold or their spores on a daily basis without evident harm.
However, mold growing inside a home is an unsanitary condition that may
present potential health risks to occupants. Therefore, it is always
best to identify and correct high moisture conditions quickly before
mold grows and possible health problems develop.
Potential health effects produced by molds may
include allergic, irritating, or toxigenic effects, and rarely,
infection. Allergic reactions are generally the most common health
effect. Typical symptoms (alone or in combination) reported by people
living in moldy homes include:
- respiratory problems, such as wheezing, difficulty
breathing, and shortness of breath
- sneezing and/or nasal congestion
- eye irritation (itching, burning, watery, or
reddened eyes)
- coughing or throat irritation
- skin rashes or irritation
- headaches
- fatigue
The potential health effects depend on the amounts
and types of mold present, the length and frequency of exposure, and
the sensitivity and health condition of exposed individuals. While many
people seldom experience ill effects from mold exposures, some may
develop very serious illnesses. Some persons exposed to mold or mold
spores may become sensitized and develop allergies to the mold or other
health problems. Even "dead" mold (including spores and pieces of mold)
may still cause allergy, irritation, or toxigenic reactions. Thus,
killing mold without removing the residue may still be a health
concern. Complete removal and thorough cleanup of mold is the safest
solution.
Individuals at greater risk who may experience more
severe symptoms or become ill more rapidly than others include:
- individuals with existing respiratory conditions,
such as allergies, asthma, or chemical sensitivities
- individuals with weakened immune systems due to
conditions such as HIV infection or cancer treatment
- infants and young children
- the elderly
Anyone with a health problem they believe may be due
to mold exposure should consult a medical professional.
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Since you cannot remove all food sources for molds,
it is important as a homeowner to take sensible precautions to prevent
moisture from creating a breeding ground for mold.
- Maintain levels of humidity below 60% (preferably
between 30% and 50%) by
- venting bathrooms, dryers and other
moisture-generating sources to the outside
- avoiding blockage of air conditioning vents
- using air conditioners and de-humidifiers
- increasing ventilation by installing additional
crawlspace and attic vents, opening windows or installing an
air-to-air heat exchanger
- using exhaust fans when cooking, dishwashing and
cleaning
- avoiding the use of unvented heaters or high
heat in confined areas
- setting the air conditioning thermostat to
"auto" to prevent circulation of humid air.
- Add insulation to reduce the potential for
condensation on cold surfaces (windows, piping, exterior walls, roof
or floors).
- Consider using moisture sensors that sound an
audible alarm when a leak occurs.
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Inspect your home regularly for the indications and
sources of indoor moisture. Establish a maintenance schedule to check
the following sources of water leaks on a regular basis. Contact a
maintenance or service company with any questions or concerns.
- Hot Water Heaters -
Over time, these appliances may rust or develop cracks, and the
resulting leaks can be very costly. Check your water heater for rust
and deterioration every year. Check the drain pan for water and
ensure that the drain line for the overflow pan is not clogged. Drain
and clean the water heater as recommended by the manufacturer.
- A/C Drain Lines -
Damage can occur when the line that drains condensation from the
evaporator coils becomes clogged and water overflows from the drip
pan. To prevent this, periodically check the drip pan for water and
consider an annual inspection or service call to reduce the buildup
of algae and mold in the drain line.
- Appliance Hoses -
Broken hoses are among the most common causes of water damage.
Regularly inspect hoses and hose fittings on washing machines,
icemakers and dishwashers for kinks, cracks, bulges or evidence of
deterioration. Replace standard rubber washing machine hoses every
two to five years, or more frequently if they are showing signs of
wear. Consider using steel-reinforced hoses for longer life.
- Showers, Tubs, Sinks and Toilets
- Water that leaks from around bathtubs, showers, sinks and toilets
can cause extensive damage because the leak is often hidden from
view. To prevent leaks, make sure you have a continuous watertight
seal of caulk around the edges of sinks, toilets, tubs and shower
stalls. Cracks or mold on the caulk or on the grout at tiles on walls
or shower floors may indicate that you do not have a watertight seal.
Remove all caulk or grout, clean and dry the surface thoroughly, and
apply fresh caulk. Do not apply new caulk or grout on top of the old
materials.
- Visible Piping -
Routinely check piping under cabinets and sinks for leaks, rust and
evidence of deterioration.
- Waste/Garbage Disposal System
- Routinely check for cracking or other sources of leaks in the waste
disposal system.
- Caulking around Windows, Doors, Penetrations
and Cracks - Windows and doors should have
a continuous bead of caulk sealing them to the exterior surface of
the home. Penetrations of the exterior walls by pipes, electrical
conduit, phone or cable lines, and exhaust ducts should also be
caulked. Cracks or mold on the caulk may indicate that you do not
have a watertight seal. Remove all caulk, clean and dry the surface
thoroughly, and apply fresh caulk. Do not apply new caulk on top of
the old caulk.
- Attic and Ceilings -
Routinely check for wet insulation and water stains.
- Wallpaper - Routinely
check for bubbling and/or peeling, as well as pink or black stains.
- Roofs - Keep roofs
free of debris that can damage roofing material and allow water to
seep in. Trim tree branches to prevent them from rubbing and damaging
the roof. Promptly repair missing or damaged shingles. Properly seal
any cracks around chimneys, skylights and vents. Check metal flashing
for holes, cracks or other damage. Replace flashing or use silicon
caulk to seal any openings.
- Landscape - Yards
should slope away from the house to prevent puddling near the
foundation or under pier and beam houses.
- Sprinklers and Irrigation Systems
- Do not allow sprinklers or sprinkler heads to soak the exterior of
the home.
- Check for evidence of water stains or odors,
particularly after rains, on areas that could get wet.
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- Water Valve - Make
sure everyone in the household knows where the main valve is located
and how to turn the water off.
- Rain Gutters and Downspouts
- Direct rainwater away from your home. Keep gutters clear and make
sure downspouts are long enough to effectively carry water away from
your foundation. Gutters that are filled with leaves and other debris
allow water to back up on the roof, which can result in water damage
to eaves and roofing material.
- Insulate Pipes and Outside Faucets
- Minimize the potential for water damage from frozen, broken pipes
by insulating supply lines (in attic, crawlspaces and exterior
walls), protecting exposed outdoor faucets, sealing gaps in exterior
walls and maintaining adequate heat in your home.
- Sump Pump - The sump
pump is the first line of defense in preventing water seepage into
basements. Periodically check the sump and remove any debris that
could clog the pump. Consider installing a battery-powered backup to
protect your basement during power outages.
- Don’t block weep holes
- Weep holes are openings at the foundation level of a brick wall
that allow moisture to escape from behind the wall. Do not close or
block these openings.
- Monitor Utility Bills
- An abnormally high water bill could signal a water leak.
- Before You Travel -
Turn the water off at the main valve or at major appliances. While
you are away, consider leaving a house key and contact information
with a neighbor or trusted friend and ask the person to check the
inside and outside of your home periodically while you are away.
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- Purchase paint with EPA-approved mold inhibitors.
- Clean bathrooms often with mold killing products
and keep surfaces dry.
- Do not carpet bathrooms, basements, kitchens or
other areas prone to collect moisture.
- Repair damages that could lead to water intrusion
promptly and properly.
- Ensure that the home has adequate ventilation,
including exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms.
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Whether or not the water damage may be covered by
your insurance policy, it is important to act quickly to prevent
further damage to your home.
- Immediately stop the source of leak or flooding.
- Remove excess water with mops or a wet vacuum. If
the damage is significant, consider contacting a water extraction
company for immediate action.
- Whenever possible, move wet items to a secure, dry
and well-ventilated area or outside to expedite drying.
- Protect repairable and undamaged items from
further damage.
- Move rugs and pull up areas of wet carpet as soon
as possible.
- Increase circulation in and around wet areas by
opening closet and cabinet doors, moving furniture away from walls
and running fans.
- If necessary, remove wallboard and flooring
materials to dry out those areas.
- Don’t throw away removed or damaged materials
until instructed by your insurance company.
- Dry any damp or wet building materials and
furnishings within 24-48 hours.
- Keep all receipts, photos and other relevant
documents.
- Contact your insurance company, if applicable.
NOTE: The sooner the
affected areas dry out and the source of the leak is repaired, the
better your chances of minimizing damage to your property. If the water
cannot be removed and the area dried promptly and efficiently, consider
contacting a water extraction company for immediate action.
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- Unexplained discoloration on any surface
- Musty odor
- Dark spots on or around vents
- Water stains anywhere
- Peeling or curling of vinyl floors or wallpaper
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Resources
For additional information, consult the mold and/or
indoor air quality resources at the following:
Texas Department of Health
www.tdh.state.tx.us/beh/iaq/
1-800-572-5548
Texas Department of Insurance
www.tdi.state.tx.us/commish/mold.html
1-800-252-3439
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/iaq/
1-800-438-4318
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- For printed copies of free consumer publications,
call the 24-hour Publications Order Line
- 1-800-599-SHOP (7467)
- 305-7211 in Austin
- For answers to general insurance questions call
the Consumer Help Line between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Central time, Monday-Friday
- 1-800-252-3439
- 463-6515 in Austin
- You may file an insurance-related complaint with
TDI several ways:
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