Here in Washington mold can be found everywhere. Mold helps decompose plant debris, helps make great cheese and is used in medicines. Mold spores are constantly in the air and in the ground, and when they settle on moist, organic matter, they multiply. When mold accumulates you can see it, like on old bread, or growing on food kept too long inside the refrigerator. Realistically there is no way to get rid of all mold spores in your home, and generally most molds are not harmful to healthy people. Some molds, however, can be carcinogenic and can cause increased health concerns, such as head aches, allergies, fatigue, respiratory and other problems.

Since mold thrives on moisture, if you see it growing on your walls, it can mean that there is excess moisture, perhaps stemming from poor ventilation, or even a leak. The first step to mitigate mold growth is to first remedy the conditions by locating and fixing leaks, and adding ventilation.

If the mold growth is extensive, or if you have allergies or health problems, leave the clean-up to professionals. To clean up the mold, be careful to wear protective gloves and a face mask to prevent breathing in the spores. Remove and discard the moldy material and wash the affected areas with a bleach solution of 1/4 cup bleach to one quart water. Make sure you give the entire area a good cleaning. To help prevent the mold from growing back, apply a borate-based detergent solution that you do not rinse off.

For the removal of toxic mold, it is best to consult an environmental engineer, who will have methods to encapsulate the mold. To determine if the mold present in your home is harmful, you can have sample tapes mailed in to a laboratory for testing.

For more information of mold, check the website of the Washington State Department of Health. http://www2.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/IAQ/#moldresources

Sandy Nelson
Realtor for Olympia area real estate
www.sandynelsonrealestate.com