Monday, March 23, 2009
Mold Prevention
The following is a condensation of an article from BLR's "Safety Daily Advisor in regard to mold prevention in the home. There are some tips included that you can pass on to your customers.
1. Get the Wet Out
Mold is with us everywhere so there is no feasible way that you can eliminate all mold growths and mold spores in the indoor environment. Controlling excess moisture is the key to stopping indoor mold growth and reducing its presence in the home. Steps to do this include:
- Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to vent moisture created to the outside.
- Control the exchange of moisture-laden and spore carrying air from dirt floor crawl spaces into the rest of the home by running a small exhaust fan from the crawl space to the outside. This will put the crawl space under a continuous negative air condition.
- Use a dehumidifier to remove damp areas such as the basement or dirt floor crawl spaces. Be sure to drain the dehumidifier regularly (if it doesn't have an automatic pump-out system) and clean condensation coils and the water collection bucket if used.
- Raise the temperature in damp areas to help lower humidity levels.
- If a humidifier is used in the winter months be sure not to overuse it. Plus, the unit must be cleaned regularly otherwise mold will grow in it and contribute to its spread!
- Increasing indoor air circulation can also help reduce indoor mold. Open doors between rooms, especially doors to closets that may be colder than the rooms. You can also increase air circulation with fans and by moving furniture from wall corners to promote air and heat circulation.
2. Keep It Clean
Cleaning helps reduce mold in the home. The key is when performing these tasks that the proper PPE including gloves, eye protection and a proper dust mask or respirator if required.
- Make sure to scour sinks and tubs at least monthly. Fungi thrive on soap and films that coat tile and grout or other bathroom surfaces. Your normal bathroom cleaner will usually work on small patches of mold.
- For problem areas use 1-3 ounces of ordinary laundry bleach diluted in a quart of water. The most important thing is to give a good scrubbing. When using bleach for any amount of areas a vapor-rated respirator should be used along with good ventilation!
- Clean garbage pails frequently. They can be a prime breeding ground for mold.
- Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
- Finally clean mold off hard surfaces all around the home. Be sure that surfaces are dried completely after cleaning.
3. Plug the Leaks
Leaks are a major source of mold since moisture (in a liquid of vapor form) is the key factor for its growth. Without moisture mold won't grow:
- Quickly repair any plumbing leaks, blocked drains, poorly vented clothes dryers or water seepage through walls.
- Put a plastic sheet of 6 mil plastic over dirt in crawl spaces to prevent moisture from coming in up through the ground.
4. Use Building Supplies
Mold prevention can also be done through employing common building supplies:
- Add insulation around windows and piping and to walls, roofing and floors to reduce condensation.
- Storm windows help to prevent condensation on windows when temperatures fall. This, in turn, helps prevent mold growth around the windows.
For further information regarding safety training and issues visit BLR at http://www.blr.com/.
Labels: Mold, Mold Prevention, Safety Management
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]