Not many people will admit it, but the majority of us have mold in our homes. Some don't even realize it and everyone should know a few basic things about mold. There are many different types of mold. Molds are part of the environment. Molds play a major part in our outdoor environment by breaking down dead organic matter. Mold growth indoors should be avoided. Molds reproduce by releasing tiny spores. These spores are invisible to the naked eye, but they are there and they float around in indoor and outdoor air. Mold may begin to grow if a spore lands on a wet surface.

Here is the big question, can mold cause health problems? Molds are not typically an indoor problem, unless spores happen to land on a damp spot and start growing. If that happens, molds then can become a health problem because it produces irritant, allergens and in some cases, a potentially toxic substance or mycotoxins. If one is to touch or breath in mold spores it can cause an allergic reaction to people who are sensitive. Reactions to mold are common. The reactions could be immediate or delayed. If somebody is prone to asthma, mold can cause asthma attacks. Mold exposure can irritate the skin, nose, eyes, throat, lungs of both allergic and non allergic people.

Research is ongoing but it is impossible to get rid of all the mold and spores indoors. Some can be found floating around through the air and in house dust but they will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If you find that there is mold growth in your home, you must clean it up and fix the water problem as soon as possible. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back.

Who should do the cleanup depends on a number of things. One consideration is the size of the mold problem in your home. If the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet in most cases, you can handle the job yourself, following the guidelines below. However: If there's been a lot of water damage and/or mold growth covers more than 10 square feet, you need to consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide: Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document is applicable to other building types. It is available free by calling the EPA Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse.

If you decide to hire a someone to do the cleanup, make sure they have experience in cleaning up mold. If there is suspicion that your heating/ventilation/air conditioning system may be contaminated with mold, you would need to consult EPA's guide on whether you should have the air ducts in your home cleaned. Before taking any further action. Do not run your system if you know or suspect that it is contaminated with mold as it could spread throughout the building. If the water and/or mold damage was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, then call in a professional who has experience cleaning and fixing buildings damaged by contaminated water. If you have health concerns, consult a health professional before starting cleanup.