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Ever hear a slow dripping sound in your home? Have your water bills been more expensive lately? Leaking pipes can cause more problems than just higher water bills…they can cause possible mold problems. Mold, with the right moisture and food conditions, can grow rapidly within 24-48 hours. Mold often grows unexpectedly in residential and commercial buildings due to leaky pipes and toilets that are not properly maintained. Hidden inside bathroom or kitchen walls, or underneath sub-floor, mold often lurks unbeknownst to building owners. So how can we find the hidden mold? Just to dispel some common rumors…there are not “mold machines” that can sniff out mold and instantly tell you if there is mold or not. Certified mold inspectors, such as A & I Health Solutions, use the following methods to discover mold:    

1. Visual evidence of water damage           
2. Moisture meters to detect moisture content above normal ranges           
3. Fiber optics to analyze wall cavity spaces and ducts for hidden mold           
4. Air sampling equipment to collect small amounts of air to submit for lab analyzing. 

But what about the expense for the inspector? Are there things home owners can look out for to discover mold? Are there home improvements that can hinder the growth of mold? Here are the top ten things homeowners should know about when looking for mold: 

1. Possible health symptoms commonly associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory ailments.

2. It is not practical to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture levels and humidity.

3. If mold is a concern in your home or school, you must properly perform mold removal in Cleveland and eliminate all possible sources of moisture.

4. Fix the source of the water occurrence or leak to prevent mold growth.

5. Reduce indoor humidity (30-60 percent ) to eliminate excessive mold growth by: properly venting bathrooms (home depot kit…$20), dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air conditioners and de-humidifiers to maintain proper humidity levels; increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.

6. Completely clean and dry any damp or wet building products and furniture with wash towels and detergent within 24-48 hours to prevent mold contamination.

7. Scrub mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry out completely. Permeable    …materials such as ceiling tiles or drywall, that are moldy, may need to be removed and replaced.

8. Put a stop to condensation: Decrease the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e.,    …windows, piping, brick, paint, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.

9. In areas where there is a continual moisture problem, do not mount carpeting (i.e., by   …water faucents, by classroom basins, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent …condensation).

10. Mold can be found almost anyplace; they can grow and multiply on nearly any substance, provided dampness is present. There are molds that can develop on paper, drywall, carpet, wood….food.