Mold or Moisture Information

Updated October 2020

This factsheet provides information about health problems from mold or moisture, finding and cleaning up moldy or wet areas and materials, and how to keep mold from growing in your home.

Damp, moldy places allow mold spores and other tiny pieces of mold to get into the air, which can cause breathing problems and other health problems. Moist materials allow mold and bacteria to grow and may also allow chemicals from building materials to get into the air.

Unless mold is controlled, it can damage floors, walls, ceilings, and other structures in your home. Mold can damage your furnishings, such as carpets, chairs and sofas. Clothes and shoes in damp closets can become stained and start to fall apart. The longer that mold grows, the more damage it can cause.

The best way to fix a mold problem is to:

• find where the damp areas and mold are
• fix any leaks or other moisture problems (such as condensation on windows or walls, garden sprinklers too close to your home, or blocked gutters)
• quickly dry out any damp areas or replace any damp materials
• quickly and safely clean up the mold and remove any materials that are moldy

The most important thing you can do is get rid of mold and dampness as quickly and safely as possible. Mold problems will not go away unless moisture problems are fixed.

It is important to have someone measure how much mold there is or to find out what kind of mold it is.

Dealing with Wet or Moldy Materials in Your Home

Mold and Moisture Problems in Your Home

How do I know if I have mold or moisture problems?

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Mold growth may be visible, or it may be hidden underneath water-damaged surfaces (for example, wallpaper), behind furniture, along and behind baseboards, or inside walls, floors, or ceilings.

Signs of mold or moisture problems in your home are:

• areas on floors ceilings, walls, woodwork, or furniture that look stained or discolored, or have mold on them
• an earthy or musty smell
• damp areas or surfaces
• water stains on walls or ceilings
• water damage, such as warped floors, peeling or bubbling paint, or soft, rotting wood

You might also have a mold problem if people who are sensitive or allergic to mold have symptoms when they are in your home.

Condensation on windows or walls also is an important sign of a moisture problem. Because condensation also can be caused by a problem with a gas stove, heater, or dryer, inspect fuel-burning appliances every year, and contact your local utility or a professional heating contractor if you have questions.

How can I avoid mold and moisture problems?

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The best way to avoid mold and moisture problems is to watch for common sources of moisture inside and outside your home and then get rid of any moisture as soon as possible.

• Make sure you have good airflow whenever moisture is being produced, for example:
  • vent clothes driers to the outside,
  • when showering or bathing, use an exhaust fan or open a window (and keep it running for 20-30 minutes), and
  • when cooking, use an exhaust fan vented to the outside or open a window
• Don’t hang wet clothes indoors unless you can open windows to let moisture out
• Check crawlspaces and basements for dampness and seal any leaks or cracks
• Run dehumidifiers to remove excess moisture from damp indoor places, like basements
• Make sure your roof is in good condition and fix any leaks as soon as possible
• Aim garden sprinkler sprays away from the house
• Be sure gutters and downspouts are clear and drain water away from your home
• Be sure the ground outside, all around the house, slopes away from your house
• If you have a leak or flooding, take care of moisture immediately:
  • Stop the source of the leak or flooding
  • Remove excess water with mops, a wet vacuum, or a pump
  • Move wet items to a dry, well-ventilated area or place them outdoors to speed drying
  • Move rugs and pull up the wet carpet as soon as possible
  • Open closet and cabinet doors and move furniture away from walls to increase
  • Where walls have gotten wet, remove drywall and baseboards, or pry open wall paneling, if necessary, to allow the area to dry thoroughly
  • Run portable fans to increase airflow (but not if mold has already started to grow, as this could spread mold)
  • Do NOT use your home’s central furnace or air-conditioning system if it or any of the ducts were flooded because this could blow mold all around your home
• If you have a moisture problem in your home that you cannot fix yourself, consider hiring a contractor or building expert to help.

Moisture and Mold in Rental Homes

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In California, tenants and landlords each have a part in keeping a home free from moisture and mold. Generally, the landlord must provide a unit that is fit for occupation and follows the building and health codes. The California Housing Code, as of January 1, 2016, says that if there is enough dampness or visible mold (or certain other conditions) in a dwelling that is a danger to the health of occupants, the dwelling is substandard and must be remedied by the owner. Tell your landlord if you have this kind of problem and ask them to fix it. If the problem is not adequately fixed, you can contact your city or county code enforcement agency to ask for an inspection.

• Do not depend on particle-removing air filters or air cleaners to solve a mold problem, and to remove or clean moldy materials. Air cleaners should only be used for a short time to reduce mold in the air. Odor-removing air cleaners will not reduce mold in the air.
• Ozone-producing air cleaners are not effective in controlling indoor molds, even though they are sometimes sold with this claim. In addition, ozone from some air cleaners can irritate and permanently damage your lungs. Ozone can also damage materials such as rubber and plastic items in the home. CDPH strongly recommends that you NOT use an ozone-producing air cleaner. For more information, see Hazardous Ozone-Generating “Air Purifiers” CLICK HERE.

Cleaning Up Mold in Your Home

Cleaning up mold quickly and safely is important, but unless you find and fix the source of moisture in your home, your mold problems will return.

Protect yourself and others from mold and chemicals

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If you are susceptible to mold or have a history of mold health effects, or the amount of mold is large, consider having another person or a professional do the work.

Cleaning up mold can expose you to a lot of molds (10 to 100 times more than usual), and also to irritating detergents or disinfectants. Even though you (or your building manager) can clean up small mold problems—a total area less than 10 square feet—you may want to try cleaning a small area first to make sure it does not affect your health. For large mold problems—more than 100 square feet—it might be better to hire an experienced contractor (see Hiring a Contractor). For medium-size mold problems, make sure you are able to clean up the mold safely and that your health will not be affected, or hire a contractor.

• Do not wear a “dust mask”. It will not protect you from mold.
• Wear clothing that covers as much of your body as possible (including covering hair and shoes) and that can be washed in hot water or thrown out.
• Work for short time periods and rest where you can breathe fresh air.
• Air out your home well during and after work.
• Respirators that protect you from mold spores will not protect you from chemical fumes from disinfectants. Make sure the work area has good airflow.
• Never use a gasoline engine indoors (like a gas-powered water pump, pressure washer, or generator). You could expose yourself and your family to toxic carbon monoxide.

Do I Need to Disinfect?

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We do not recommend using bleach, or products that contain bleach, to disinfect for mold. They are too hazardous, and not any more effective than safer methods. Using bleach can harm your health. Bleach can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and throat, and cause breathing problems (like asthma) and injuries. Bleach can also damage clothing, shoes, and other materials. Bleach will not kill mold unless you have cleaned the area first and removed the mold, and then bleach is not necessary. Bleach does not keep mold from growing back.

You cannot completely disinfect porous materials that are moldy, such as carpets, fabric, or drywall (gypsum board). You must remove them. (However, you can reuse washable items like clothing if all mold and staining can be removed.) For smooth nonporous surfaces, scrubbing with detergents and other recommended cleaners will remove mold, without the need to disinfect. (Using bleach to disinfect is only recommended where there is a concern about infection, such as when there is a sewage spill.)

If you are thinking of using bleach despite these warnings, read below:

• Only use bleach or disinfectants on nonporous materials and only AFTER cleaning with soap and detergent.
• Never mix bleach with ammonia or anything other than water (unless the product label allows for mixing) because this may produce toxic fumes.
• It is very difficult to completely protect yourself from fumes and skin contact. Handle bleach with caution. Wear eye protection and gloves made to protect your skin from harsh chemicals. Make sure there is very good air circulation or outdoor air ventilation to reduce the fumes

How to remove mold

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• First, fix the moisture problem and remove any excess water—a wet/dry vacuum cleaner may help remove water and clean the area
• Close off the work area to keep dust and spores from spreading to other areas
  • Close the door or use plastic sheets to separate the room
  • Set up a fan to pull air out through a window or door to the outside
  • Scrub the entire moldy area with a non-ammonia soap or detergent, or a commercial cleaner, in hot water, using sponges or rags, until the mold is gone
  • Use a stiff brush or cleaning pad on cement-block walls and other uneven surfaces
  • Rinse cleaned items with water and dry thoroughly

For more detailed information on cleaning up mold, CLICK HERE.

What can I keep?

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• Keep items and materials that do not absorb water (made of glass, plastic, metal, or ceramics) and can be cleaned of mold
• Keep items that do not have mold on them and do not smell moldy.
• Some washable moldy items like clothing and bedding may be cleaned well enough to keep, so it may be worth trying

What should I throw out?

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Mold can grow quickly on porous materials (like fabric, carpet pads, and foam cushions) that have gotten wet. It’s important to dry them as quickly as possible before mold growth starts. A common rule of thumb is to discard porous materials if they are wet for more than 24-48 hours because they are likely to grow mold. However, if they look or smell moldy even before that, you should discard them. Because spores are more easily released into the air after moldy materials have dried out; remove items as soon as possible.

Remove and throw out:

• Wet materials that absorb water and look or smell moldy, like drywall or gypsum board, ceiling tiles, drapes, upholstered furniture, and products made from particleboard
• Materials that have dried but look or smell moldy

Moldy wall-to-wall carpet can be hard to clean well. Throw out if the carpet, backing, or padding is moldy or has a moldy smell. Keep throw rugs that have gotten wet only if they can be thoroughly washed and do not smell moldy once they dry.

If there has been flooding, remove drywall/gypsum board to a level above the high-water mark. Look inside the wall space and throw out any material, like insulation, that is wet, moldy, or has a moldy smell.

If tightly bagged or enclosed, moldy items can be put in the household trash. Materials that have lead or asbestos in them must be taken to a household hazardous waste program. Some materials that might have lead or asbestos are:

• Ceiling tiles
• Vinyl floor tiles
• Painted wood, plaster, or drywall/gypsum board in homes built before 1978

Hiring a Contractor to Remove Mold

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If you decide to hire someone to remove mold from your home:

• Make sure to hire a licensed contractor or other professional with experience and specific training in mold remediation or “mold abatement”
• Although there is no license or certification by the State of California for fixing moisture or mold problems, you can find professionals who are certified for mold abatement by national professional organizations and trade groups. Here are two examples:

To find a contractor trained in mold remediation through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration (IICRC), click here and search for “mold remediation” services in your area.

Click here to visit the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) or call them at 844-802-4103 to find professionals trained in mold remediation. When choosing a contractor, ask questions about their specific training and experience, ask if they have a license or certification for mold remediation, make sure they have insurance and ask for references. Also, ask the contractor to explain the exact work they will do to solve your mold and moisture problem.

Additional Information

Your city or county health department may be able to answer questions or help you deal with mold problems. To find your health departments, CLICK HERE.

If you rent your home, tell your landlord that the moisture or mold problems need to be fixed. (Mold or moisture problems that are bad enough to cause health problems for tenants are both listed in the California Housing Code as conditions that make a home “substandard.” Painting over mold is not good enough—the moisture problem must be fixed, and any moldy materials cleaned or removed. If your landlord does not fix the problem, you can contact your county or city, health inspector.