"Winter Can Give Us Many Clues"

MELTING ICE + MELTING SNOW = SPRING MOLD

You might need to reseed if snow mold damage is severe

When we have a lot of serious winter weather at one time, we usually just think wistfully about Spring.  However, as ice and snow begins to melt, Mother Nature provides us with some very handy built-in tests and checks to help us locate potential future mold, bacteria, and structural damage issues with our homes.

 Here are just a few pointers to guarantee a pleasant,

Mold-Free Winter & Spring:

 Attic:

• As the ice begins to melt, go up into your attic and look for points of water entry. Check the lower end of roof decking for water due to ice damming.

• Check the underside of the roof deck for leaks from missing shingles, cracked caulking, flashing in need of maintenance.

• Look for ice or frost formed on the roof deck, trusses, even on protruding nails. This may be an indication that there is a lot of moisture in your home moving up into an attic with inadequate ventilation.

 Basement:

• Check for puddling water on the basement floor. As ice and snow melts, water will enter through any portal it can find. Occasionally, ice can even push in foundation walls.

• Check for wet or even moist areas on walls. Often as moisture seeps in it may not puddle, but may still saturate interior wall surfaces allowing mold to grow later.

• Look for snowdrifts against basement windows that might leak in as the snow melts.

• The basement is a good place to keep that de-humidifier active, even though the winter air is relatively dry. As leaks do occur, the de-humidifier will go a long way to help dry up that puddle, or keep the surface of walls that much drier. If you get the type of de-humidifier that allows you to set the relative humidity level you want to maintain, it may never even run, but it's good insurance (don't forget to get the type that allows for a hose attachment - they don't run when they're full).

• Look for puddling water outside as well. If it is puddling against the foundation wall, clear the ice to let it run away from the structure. You may have to take care of any "reverse slope" in the Spring.

Other:

• Keep a lookout for condensation on windows. Some condensation may be considered an unavoidable event, but too much may result in mold and/or bacteria. If you get too much condensation, set up a hygrometer and watch moisture levels in the house. If it goes above 50%, you will want to search out the source and correct it.

• Check for cold spots or condensation on outside walls. When it's cold outside is a good time to see if portions of the walls are under insulated, or perhaps the insulation is old and has settled - leaving un-insulated spaces. Those spots may be the first to grow mold.

• As ice melts, look for wet spots under windows. Cracked or missing caulking and flashing can cause wet spots under the windows. That, in turn, can cause water damage and mold.

• Check the chimney where the flue enters. A by-product of burning natural gas is water vapor. If the flue gases are condensating before they leave the chimney, you may find a caustic water-flow down your chimney and showing up in your basement. This can eventually damage the chimney, rust out the flue, and even cause the exterior brick to crack off and spaul as the moisture enters the brick and then refreezes.  If you find this problem exists, a chimney liner may be your answer.  Contact your HVAC company for details.

• Due to several factors, when we heat our homes in the winter, we can often end up with indoor air at less than 15% relative humidity. The human body wants 30% to 45% for comfort and to keep from drying out mucus membranes and/or your furniture, etc. Rumor is that the Sahara Desert averages at 21%!!

   

• Therefore adding humidity to your home by way of a central humidifier (or at least a portable humidifier) may be important to your health, your comfort, and your property. Be careful of leaks, keep it clean, and keep it properly maintained.

©2002-2005 MoldAcrossAmerica, Inc.

DO NOT USE BLEACH TO CLEAN UP MOLD

QUESTIONS?  CLICK HERE TO 'ASK THE EXPERT' ...

Q:  How can I control mold growth in my home?
A:  Fix any moisture problems in your home:

• Stop all water leaks first.
• Repair leaking roofs and plumbing fixtures.

• Ventilate and insulate attic and crawl spaces.

• Increase air circulation within your home, especially along the inside of exterior walls, and ventilate with fresh air from outside.
• Provide warm air to all areas of the home.
• Move large objects away from the inside of exterior walls just a few inches to provide good air circulation.

• Install and use exhaust fans in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.

• Vacuum and clean your home regularly.

• Clean and dry water damaged carpets, clothing, bedding, upholstered furniture within 24 to 48 hours, or consider removing and replacing damaged furnishings.