Mold: it's

as old as the Earth and it's everywhere. And under the right or should

we say wrong set of conditions, it can actually start to grow (gasp) inside

your house. In most cases, this is not cause for alarm.

First, start

the consumer Web site, www.MoldTips.com, to debunk mold misinformation

and provide consumers with sound, practical advice on identifying, preventing

and cleaning up household mold.

First of all,

where does mold come from? Mold spores are everywhere around us and are

too small to detect with the naked eye we cannot avoid being exposed to

them. Mold spores travel in the air and attach to people's skin, clothing,

shoes, shopping bags and belongings. Mold is simply a part of our natural

environment. Once spores enter your home, they can settle onto carpeting,

upholstery, curtains and other fabric. While you cannot keep spores out

of your home entirely, regular home cleaning and maintenance often can

prevent mold problems before they arise.

Mold is most

likely to find a place to grow in a bathroom, basement or kitchen and

seeks moisture, warmth and food the three conditions necessary for it

to grow. The climate where you live and the living habits in your household

can affect the ability of mold to grow as well.

Be mindful

that mold spores can thrive areas of your home that have had flooding

or where leakage has occurred in roofs, pipes, or walls, or areas around

house plants, especially ones that sometimes are over-watered. If you're

concerned about possible mold growth, pay close attention to keeping these

areas as dry as possible, and periodically check the potential trouble

spots to prevent or clean up any budding mold growth. These tips may help

you get started:

Vacuum and

clean regularly to remove possible sources of mold growth. Pay special

attention to areas of your home that are likely to generate a lot of moisture.

In portions

of your home that are susceptible to moisture, use area rugs or washable

floor surfaces rather than wall-to-wall carpeting. If you use area rugs,

launder them periodically.

Do not store

materials such as paper, books, clothes, or other possible sources of

food for mold in humid parts of your home.

Repair water

leaks in your roof, windows, or any other part of the home as soon as

possible.

Clean refrigerator

drip pans regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. If your

refrigerator and freezer doors do not seal properly, moisture can build

up and mold can flourish. Remove any mold on the door gaskets and replace

faulty gaskets.

If you live

in a house, make sure that your gutters and downspouts are clear of debris

that may block the flow of water from your roof. Properly grade the area

under your downspouts, so that rainwater from the roof flows away from

your foundation. Splash blocks can help rainwater flow in the proper direction.

If necessary, extend your downspouts.

Check the

grading of other areas around your foundation, so that rainwater does

not flow toward the house.

Plant gardens

and shrubs away from your foundation, so that water does not flow toward

your house when watering them. If you water your lawn with a sprinkler,

make sure the water does not hit your house or the area next to the foundation.

In the kitchen

and bathroom, open windows or use exhaust fans when engaging in activities

that produce moisture. Exhaust fans should be vented to the outdoors and

not to an attic or crawl space.

Make sure

that clothing dryers are vented to the outdoors.

Consider using

a dehumidifier if you have a basement. The cool basement floor and walls

can be a source of moisture build-up.

Properly insulate

and ventilate the attic of your home.

If you have

a crawl space under your house, cover the soil in the crawl space with

waterproof polyethylene plastic. If your crawl space is ventilated, close

the vents in the summer and keep them open in the winter.

Clean up and

correct any water problems in your basement or crawl space as quickly

as possible.

Mold growth

in your home is a problem, but it is one that swiftly should and can be

addressed and resolved by homeowners themselves or with the assistance

of professionals. For more information about preventing and cleaning up

household mold, visit www.MoldTips.com, a consumer information web site

provided in English and Spanish by the National Association of Home Builders.

(Chad Floyd,

who is with Chadwick Homes, is president of the Home Builders Association

of Midwest Georgia, which serves a membership of approximately 550 builders

and associate members in Fayette, Coweta, Spalding, Meriwether, Heard,

Pike, Upson, Lamar, Butts and Jasper counties.)

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