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Mold is more prevalent today because the focus on improving energy efficiency resulted in more airtight homes that don't breathe as well as older structures
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Installed just like standard drywall, USG's SHEETROCK® Mold Tough™ gypsum panels offer active mold-inhibitors both on the paper and in the core, helping homeowners prevent moisture and mold build-up. Photo courtesy of USG.
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and more complex home designs have increased the potential for moisture intrusion, according to Responsible Solutions to Mold Coalition.
Homeowners have become increasingly concerned about the indoor air quality of their homes as Americans spend around 90 percent of their time indoors, according to the National Center for Healthy Housing. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation says that one out of four are affected by asthma and allergies, and the main agents are dust, mold and mildew.
About Mold and Mildew
Molds can grow on virtually anything around the house—from wood, carpet and food to insulation systems in your walls. Mold typically grows where there’s excessive moisture like in a damp cabinet under the sink or around a leaky window, so it’s important to ventilate these areas and prevent moisture from accumulating.
It’s also critical to prevent mold from intruding your home. Mold usually forms by water or mildew entering though vents and heating and cooling systems and then latching on to the walls of a tightly sealed bathroom with little or no ventilation. Keeping these places well-maintained and aired-out will help prevent mold from taking hold.
Mold Myths and Realities
A collaboration of 14 companies, associations, government and academic organizations called Responsible Solutions to Mold Coalition out of Chicago has compiled a list of mold’s characteristics and ways you can prevent the fungus from infiltrating your home:
Myth #1: Mold grows only on paper, wood and other organic material.
Mold will grow on any surface. Even flat and smooth surfaces like glass, fiberglass and steel are mold-susceptible. As long as mold spores (which are always in the air), moisture and particulate matter (like dust) are prevalent, mold can grow. The only effective strategy to control mold is to control moisture, like installing dehumidifiers and fans in basements and kitchens.
Rebecca Morley, the Executive Director of the National Center for Healthy
Housing, recommends removing all moldy materials and replacing them with highly durable mold and mildew-resistant materials in the tub/shower enclosure after leaks or other sources of moisture are fixed.
Myth #2: Water intrusion is inevitable.
Homeowners can easily prevent water intrusion by staying vigilant of any leaks around the house, especially in bathroom faucets, showers and toilets. Building experts urge homeowners to stay alert for signs of mold, including dampness, odors, discoloration, peeling paint, condensation, compacted insulation and actual mold outbreaks. New York’s Department of Health says to be on the lookout for slightly furry, discolored or slimy patches that grow over a period of time.
Myth #3: Mold is the only problem associated with water and mildew intrusion.
Water and mildew intrusion is like opening Pandora’s box. Mold, insects and other pests love damp environments. Dampness can also severely damage essential building materials like your home’s foundational structure, so make sure you find where the water and mildew are entering your home and find measures to prevent it. If your building materials are already damp or mold-infested, replace them with dry alternatives immediately. USG’s SHEETROCK and MOLD TOUGH gypsum panels are made with mold inhibitors on the paper facing, paper backing and in the core. DUROCK, USG’s cement board is water-resistant, which prevents mold accumulation, and is easy to install. Dan Collins, SHEETROCK Brand Products and Systems Manager for USG, recommends using MOLD TOUGH in lieu of standard sheetrock and green board in basements, kitchens and baths.
Because of mold’s potential to cause health problems, preventing it from taking hold in your home and remediating any existing situation are essential to the health of all your home’s inhabitants.
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Text by Michelle Roberts, President of Ecohealth Homes, a division of Chatham Hill Residential Design and Build, LLC
© 2009 BobVila.com
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