(Source: McClatchy/Tribune)
Q. We are rehabilitating an older house that had a leaky roof, which caused extensive mold problems inside the house. We have already cleaned up a lot of the mold, using a cleaner from a home center, but are looking for more information and tips. Can you help? _W. Horn
A. Homeowners can clean up small areas of mold, but extensive mold damage should be handled by a mold-remedial expert. Small areas _ those that can be treated by do-it-yourselfers _ are generally defined as covering no more than about 10 square feet. If a professional is needed, look for names under Fire & Water Damage in the yellow pages. Mold often appears as a black or gray coating on surfaces that have been exposed to water for some reason, such as floors or ceilings under roof leaks, walls that contain trapped water, areas around plumbing leaks, seeping basement walls, and the like.
It is usually recommended that interior mold cleaning be done by scrubbing with a solution of household detergent, not with chlorine bleach. If bleach is necessary, dilute \ cup with a quart of water. An effective dust or respirator mask should be worn, along with gloves, goggles and other protective clothing. Rooms being treated should be sealed off from other parts of the building while work progresses. Kits sold for mold testing are not recommended.
There is a great deal of information on dealing with mold on the Internet. One excellent source is the site of the Washington State Department of Health, www.doh.wa.gov (enter Got Mold in the search space). There is also useful information at www.epa.gov/mold, the site of the Environmental Protection Agency.
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Q. We have a damp basement that has a musty odor. We use a dehumidifier regularly to remove moisture. Is it a good idea to open basement windows for ventilation? _K. Glista
A. I think it is a fine idea to ventilate basements by opening windows on fair days when the outdoor humidity is low _ not more than 40 or 45 percent relative humidity. The dehumidifier should be turned off when ventilating, of course. If possible, set up a fan at one of the windows to exhaust damp, stale air and pull in fresh air.
I don't recommend ventilating when the outdoor relative humidity is high; it will add more moisture to the damp air and possibly increase the chances of condensation and foster formation of mold.
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Q. My central air-conditioning unit is quite old and I am considering getting a new one to take advantage of tax credits. I use oil for heating and my oil bills are moderate. I live in a cold-climate area and don't use the air conditioner much. A contractor recommended installing a heat pump. I understand these don't' work well in cold weather.
