Mold/Mildew Information
Overview
Mold and mildew are naturally occurring types of fungus found everywhere in our environment. Mold grows naturally outdoors and can be brought into buildings through open windows and doors, ventilation, clothing, or shoes. Mold reproduces by means of tiny spores that grow in wet or damp places. To minimize the potential for mold growth, it is important to routinely clean your unit and/or room, prevent excess moisture buildup, and notify University Housing if there is a leak that could encourage mold growth. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture. Regular cleaning of a housing area by the residents is essential to reducing issues with mold and mildew.
Prevention
To help prevent the growth of mold and mildew in residential housing, students are expected to do the following:
- Keep the thermostat fan setting on “auto” to reduce humidity. For occupied units, keep the temperature set to 68 degrees or higher to reduce condensation buildup. For unoccupied units, keep the thermostat at 72 degrees or higher.
- Keep air vents unobstructed.
- Regularly vacuum carpets and mop floors to remove household dirt and debris that harbor mold.
- Routinely clean all private bathrooms and kitchen areas to prevent the growth of soap scum or the buildup of mildew. Keep all surfaces dry.
- Keep bathroom doors closed while showering. Hang wet towels and clothing to dry.
- Throw away moldy food immediately.
- Keep windows closed.
- Report any water problems (leaks, dripping faucets, wet carpets, etc.) immediately by submitting a maintenance request through the MyDBU screen under the tile named "DBU Maintenance." Please include specific details on your requests. The maintenance team will be able to contact you via email updates.
Reporting
If students have followed the recommendations above and continue to see mold or mildew, promptly notify University Housing. Reports should be made by students who are residents of University Housing by submitting a maintenance request through the MyDBU screen under the tile named "DBU Maintenance." Please include details of the suspected mold including pictures, your unit number, the specific location of the mold within the unit, and how long it has been there.
Action by DBU
Once University Housing has received a report of mold or mildew, DBU personnel will determine the best course of action. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that small areas of mold be cleaned by an individual and no further remediation is needed. If the situation requires further attention, DBU personnel and/or an outside contractor will work to determine the cause of excess moisture and resolve the issue. The affected area will be thoroughly cleaned and dried.
Residents will also be reminded of the ways to mitigate recurrence.
University Housing also takes preventative measures to reduce mold spores indoors by routinely changing air filters inside residential units and/or rooms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Mold is a naturally occurring fungus that usually appears fuzzy, slimy, or powdery and is raised above the surface that it is growing on. Some mold has a musty, stale, or earthy smell. Its colors can range from white, yellow, green, gray, to black. If you see mold, it is not important to distinguish the specific type. Instead, it is better to promptly remove the mold and the moisture source.
The term mildew is often used generically to refer to mold growth, usually with a flat growth habit. Molds can thrive on any organic matter, including the ceilings, walls, and floors of homes with moisture management problems. Mildew often lives on the surfaces of shower walls, windowsills, and other places where moisture levels are high. Mildew can be cleaned with a store-bought cleaner.
In most cases, if visible mold growth is present, sampling is unnecessary. If you see or smell mold, you should promptly clean it with household products, or soap and warm water. Let the surface dry thoroughly with proper ventilation.
- Any water issues such as leaks, dripping faucets, wet carpets, etc.
- Visible mold on porous surfaces such as sheetrock walls or ceilings.
- Large areas of visible mold on nonporous surfaces.
You can notify University Housing by submitting a maintenance request through the MyDBU screen under the tile named "DBU Maintenance." Please include specific details on your request. The maintenance team will be able to contact you via email updates.