Thread: Is this mold?

20170504_191938.jpg20170504_191938.jpgIs this mold ? I found this on all my window seals and it keeps coming back!

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Originally Posted by Amanda Stewart

20170504_191938.jpg20170504_191938.jpgIs this mold ? I found this on all my window seals and it keeps coming back!

I am not an inspector, but I would say it could be microbial growth. Do you have issues with condensation with on those windows? If so, find out how to stop the condensation.

It is typical dirt that often has mold growing on it.
Windows sweat and the moisture ends up on the frame, where dust collects on the moisture. Mould spores are in the air everywhere.

Wipe the frames and solve the problem. Better circulation of warm dry air will help to prevent it.

Keep your humidity down around the windows (running bath fans, exhaust when cooking, dehumidifier, keeping warm air circulating around the area to warm the air in contact with the window to prevent condensation). They also make these adhesive foam absorbent strips that hold the moisture before it runs down onto your frame. I have a double layer of these on my daughters' bedroom windows (pink color). Clean the frames as suggested above with a vinegar solution or something that is a disinfectant to kill any microbial growth and to remove any substrate for them to live off of.

MILDEW

"Mold" is a panicky four letter word (unless you are of the scientific mind or in Canada, where it is a fiver letter word: mould).

Mildew is common when there is moisture present and a food source, such as plastics, vinyls, wood, etc., even when no apparent food source is present (but it is present): such as on bathroom tile and paint. Does not take much food source or moisture for mildew to start, left to its own and mildew will do the same thing that trees do ... grow as much as they can (a revision of the old Q&A 'Q: How tall do trees grow? A: As tall as they can.').

Originally Posted by Amanda Stewart

Is this mold ? I found this on all my window seals and it keeps coming back!

Amanda,

As others have already said - probably.

Is it a concern? Depends.

As has been indicated, much of the time, moisture condenses on cool surfaces and mildew/mold will grow on the trace amounts of accumulated dust. Regular cleaning will help to control this.

If there is a significant moisture source (wet basement/foundation crawlspace, leaking window/wall/roof/plumbing, then there is a concern. In those cases, the mold would be a symptom of a larger problem.

If your pictures document a periodic accumulation of surface mold due to normal humidity in the interior of the house, then it depends (again). According to information that I have read from the CDC (CDC.gov), Mold is of concern if someone is susceptible to mold. This includes individuals with mold-specific allergies, people with reduced immune systems, people with lung problems (asthma, emphysema)... There are probably a few other medical reasons as well.

Unfortunately, it seems that many websites that paint a dire picture of mold problems are selling something. I know of no current federal standards as to how much mold is acceptable. You can get unbiased information from the EPA as well as the CDC.

Some options are:

Keep the window sills and sashes clean (this has been said), dust and vacuum regularly, provide adequate ventilation. In some cases, newer homes do not have enough ventilation to reduce interior humidity and provide adequate air exchanges. This would be something to talk to a qualified engineer or heating contractor about. Keep in mind, this individual would have to understand tight building practices and the need for ventilation.

Talk to your doctor. If you or anyone in your home is symptomatic, then a doctor can help to provide a plan.

Have your home inspected. A home or pest inspector typically will not be able to provide testing of mold, but can look for obvious leaks and sources of excess water.

I generally do not recommend mold inspections, for a couple of reasons. They can be costly and when you are done, the report data generally consists of a series of numbers (parts per million) about which the inspector really has insufficient education. If you are experiencing a significant amount of mold, then an inspection would probably be advisable, but make sure it comes with a remediation plan. A test is useless without a plan to get rid of the problem.

Please be aware that most of us on this site are general home inspectors, not mold specialists. If you have a specific concern, then consulting a specialist is a good idea.

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

MILDEW

"Mold" is a panicky four letter word (unless you are of the scientific mind or in Canada, where it is a fiver letter word: mould).

Mildew is common when there is moisture present and a food source, such as plastics, vinyls, wood, etc., even when no apparent food source is present (but it is present): such as on bathroom tile and paint. Does not take much food source or moisture for mildew to start, left to its own and mildew will do the same thing that trees do ... grow as much as they can (a revision of the old Q&A 'Q: How tall do trees grow? A: As tall as they can.').

Ha ha ha ha...I concur.
The Great Gold, ops Mold Rush is on in Canada.
Too bad.
So, sad...

Originally Posted by britney

Looks like natural dust. Try to keep humidity lower.

Britney,

Your posts cause me to wonder, and I am sure others wonder this too, if you are a home inspector and, if so, how much experience you have.

That area is less than one square meter. Likely a condensation, circulation and avoiding to wash household surfaces.

What the the CMHC have to say about mould...
Mould Cleanup Methods
Small areas of mould can be cleaned using an unscented detergent and water. The mould area is considered small if there are fewer than three patches and each patch is smaller than one (1) square metre.
If there is more than three patches or the areas are larger than one square metre, a trained mould remediation professional should assess the situation and recommend a solution. A trained contractor may be needed to clean extensive areas of mould.