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Home My WebLink Aboutmold-brochure-landlords-and-owners 250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza Oakland, CA 94612 Phone: (510) 238-3381 Fax: (510) 238-2959 TDD: (510) 238-3254 Information: (510) 238-6402 Before renting a unit, a landlord is responsible for making sure the property “is fit for occupation by human beings and that it substantially complies with state and local building and health codes that materially affect tenants’ health and safety” (Green v. Superior Court, 1974) Moisture and the resulting mold are not healthy and can make a house not livable, es- pecially for infants, children, elderly, and people with a weakened immune system. A person with HIV, cancer, chemotherapy, and respiratory issues (i.e. asthma, emphysema, COPD, and chemical sensitivities) are more likely to be affected by moisture and mold exposure. MOLD MOLD AND AND MOISTUREMOISTURE Protecting Health Protecting Health and and Avoiding Costly Avoiding Costly Repair sRepair s Informational Brochure for Landlords & Homeowners The following websites are additional information on landlord responsibilities as well as mold facts. The Dept. of Consumer Affairs in California http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/ landlordbook/problems.shtml (800) 952-5210 Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.gov/mold/ (415) 947-8000 California Department of Public Health http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/IAQ/Pages/ IndoorMold.aspx Most Common Wheezing Difficulty Breathing Nasal Congestion Eye Irritation Nose and throat Irritation Rashes Severe Cases Headaches Memory Problems Mood Swings Body Aches Fevers SS I G N SI G N S A N DA N D S Y M P T O M SS Y M P T O M S OO FF M O L DM O L D E X P O S U R EE X P O S U R E PP R OV I D I N GR OV I D I N G H E A L T H YH E A L T H Y H O U S I N GH O U S I N G R E S O U R C E SR E S O U R C E S Created in partnership with the following organizations: City of Oakland, Building Services Alameda County Public Health Department, Asthma Start Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, Healthy Home Project Regional Asthma Management and Prevention Mold is a fungus that is naturally present indoors and outdoors. Mold’s function is to decay organic materials. Mold produces small spores that travel through the air and grow on damp organic surfaces. There are three things mold needs to grow: 1) water, 2) food, 3) proper temperature. When mold is found indoors, there is sufficient moisture on walls and other sur- faces for mold to grow. How much moisture does mold need to grow? Indoor humidity of 55% or higher is ideal for mold to grow, and it only takes 24 -48 hours to develop. Moisture can come from a roof or plumbing leak, air drying clothes inside the house, lack of air circu- lation, closed windows and heating or air conditioning systems. What materials can act as food for mold? Any organic material such as wood gyp- sum, wallboard, insulation, ceiling tiles, paper products, dust, paint, carpet, and fabric (curtains). At what temperature does mold grow? Mold can grow in temperatures between 40°F—99°F. WW H A TH A T I SI S M O L DM O L D A N DA N D W H E R EW H E R E D O E SD O E S I TI T C O M EC O M E F R O MF R O M ?? • Non-porous surfaces (i.e. counter tops, glass, plastic, metal) can be cleaned with water and mild detergent; rinse with water and dry thoroughly. • Porous materials (i.e. dry wall, rug/ carpet and padding, upholstered furniture, mattresses) need to be discarded. • Do NOT paint or caulk over a moldy surface. • Do NOT clean mold with bleach. It is an asthma trigger and can cause an asthma attack. (NEVER mix bleach with ammonia. It will produce toxic fumes). • It is recommended to hire a profes- sional when the area contaminated with mold is larger than 15 square feet. CC L E A NL E A N A N DA N D R E M OV ER E M OV E MM O L DO L D TT H EH E C O S TC O S T O FO F MM O L DO L D MM O L DO L D P R E V E N T I O NP R E V E N T I O N You cannot mold-proof a house, but you can make it mold resistant by addressing the conditions that lead to mold growth. Ensure Adequate Airflow • Windows open and close properly. • Windows are double pane when possible. • Exhaust fans work properly. • Walls are insulated to avoid condensation. Eliminate Moisture Intrusion • Clean and repair rain gutters. • Use downspouts to ensure that water is directed away from the house. • Slope the ground away from the house to redirect water flow. • Fix cracks in walls, around windows, and doors. • Caulk around windows, bathtubs and show- ers, and vents. • Vent appliances (i.e. clothes dyers) so that the exhaust is directed outside the house. • Fix leaking water and sewer pipes immedi- ately. Address Flooding or Water Damage • When a large amount of water has entered a house, remove items that cannot easily be dried (i.e. furniture, carpet, padding, bedding, books, paper, etc.). • Use an extraction vacuum to remove water There have been mold related court settlements in California. These settlements to families who suffered chronic respiratory problems were due to landlords failing to respond to complaints about mold and properly clean- ing it up. Low cost preventative mainte- nance can protect property investment and tenants’ health by managing mold before the property requires costly repairs.