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Mold can be safely cleaned up once woodwork has dried
QUESTION -- I have two problems but will address the most troublesome one first. Our house was built in 1986 and I've noticed in the last few years that the condensation on the windows is getting worse.
I had the attic checked and found that there was no insulation around the perimeter and so went ahead and had a company add insulation. Since that has been done, I was remiss in checking the window sills for water and I opened the blinds and checked the other day and was horrified to find black slimy growth on some windows. It was on the oak trim and even going up the sides and into the caulking on several windows on the north and west sides of my house. The windows on the other sides of the house have no blinds or they are left open all the time and don't seem to have the same problem.
I have been having problems with my nose being stuffy and cracking and bleeding. I also kick-box six days a week and have found that I feel very tired and don't have as much energy as I used to. Now I'm worried that the black growth is toxic mould. How can I tell and also how do I remove it safely? Also, when it is scraped off, if I put plastic over the windows to cover any spores from coming into the bedrooms, will I just be making the problem worse? I will have the windows replaced in the spring with PVC but I need to do something now, for our safety.
ANSWER
-- While we are learning more every day about the potential health concerns related to mould in our living spaces, we must keep our wits about us and not panic. Unless you have extreme sensitivity to mould and other allergens, it is doubtful that this small amount of mould is the cause of your health concerns. They may be due to the normal dryness of the air at this time of year, or other causes. I will help direct you in the proper method for cleaning your windows and provide further information about this material in your home and how to prevent its return.
Dreaded
Mould in homes and commercial buildings is becoming one of the most dreaded four-letter-words (it's spelled mold in the U.S.) for building scientists, builders, and others related to construction and indoor air quality issues. With the constant improvements in energy efficiency in our heated buildings, less and less fresh outside air is making its way into the interior environment. This can lead to higher relative humidity levels and more chance of mould growth. Problem areas are those with poor air circulation and cooler temperatures. These two variables, though not the only ones, can lead to condensation of warm moist interior air and excess moisture on building interior surfaces. If this moisture is not allowed to quickly dry by normal evaporation, it will be an ideal environment for mould growth. This is exactly what is occurring on your windows.
The interiors of windows are ideal environments for mould growth, due to the cool temperature of the glass relative to the air and other interior surfaces in the heating season. No matter how high quality the windows, the surface of the glass will be significantly colder than other interior surfaces when outside temperatures drop to levels like those we are currently experiencing. If that temperature is low enough it will exceed the dew point of the interior air and condensation will occur on the glass. This condensation may be excessive enough to drip down on the window sills and wet the sills and wood trim. This often occurs only at night, as the outside temperature drops significantly and the glass is not warmed by the sun. If this moisture is not allowed to properly dry the next day, as outside temperatures rise, the damp wood and dust will provide an excellent food source for mould growth. In your case, this may have gone unabated for several weeks, which is why the mould is spreading up the window trim.
The good news is that the solution to your problem may be simple. The reason you are getting mould on some windows and not others is likely due to the window coverings. Blinds and heavy drapes restrict air movement, often dramatically, to the surface of the windows that they are covering. This is particularly true on the north and west sides of buildings due to the prevailing winds and sunset. Blinds or curtains are often shut in the evening, after the sun goes down, trapping some warm, moist, house air between the window and their outer surface. As the window surface temperature drops, the moisture in this air precipitates out on the window and remains trapped by the window coverings. If these window coverings are not opened in the morning to allow heat and air circulation, the window and trim will remain wet, leading to ideal conditions for mould growth. Ensuring that your blinds are left open, as much as possible, is critical to preventing excess moisture and mould on the windows. Running your furnace fan continuously and preventing blockage of heating registers near the windows will also help prevent wet windows.
Mild soap
Once you have successfully dried up the moisture on the problem windows, the mould may be removed by washing with mild soap and water or removal of the damaged caulking and wood trim. Care should be taken to wear proper breathing protection and use proper cleanup procedures to prevent health issues while removing the
moldy components.
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