Mold Information and Resources
Mold is a fungus that grows in the presence of water or moisture. Mold can be found both indoors and outdoors.
No one knows how many species of mold exist, but estimates range from tens of thousands to perhaps three hundred thousand or more. Mold grows best in warm, damp, and humid conditions, and spreads and reproduces by making spores. Mold spores can survive extreme dry, hot and cold environmental conditions that do not usually support normal mold growth.
Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores can trigger allergic reactions; exacerbate asthma, cause skin rashes
and other problems. People who are sensitive to mold may experience symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, or wheezing. There are some studies that indicate people with serious allergies to molds or who are exposed to large amounts of mold in occupational settings, may experience more severe reactions such as fever or shortness of breath. People with chronic illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs.
For these reasons, molded materials should be promptly removed and when necessary, replaced with new materials.
How is mold identified?
Signs of mold may include:
- Water or mold stains on wall ceiling or floor surfaces is usually a sign of water intrusion or le
aks behind walls.
- Slight discolorations on wall, ceiling or floor surfaces
- Paint blistering on ceiling or other surfaces
- Wall buckling
- Wetness such as green algae or moss on outside walls
- Water damaged ceiling tiles
- Dark stains on broken or loose floor tiles, because of leaks or water intrusion in ground level dwellings.
- Dark discolorations or rotten wood within window sills
- Moldy or musty odor within ventilator or convectors
- Mold or water stains at the bottom of walls (the source of moisture may be located outside of a building where vapor barriers or damp-proofing applications have deteriorated over time and are no longer effective).
If you are a tenant, you should report suspected housing violations to your resident manager, property manager or landlord. If your property manager does not address or resolve the problem within ten (10) days, then you should report your problem directly to the District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA).
DCRA enforces the city's housing, building and plumbing codes that address water intrusion problems in commercial and residential rental buildings.
To report a building maintenance issue (such as a leaking roof, pipes, unit ventilator or convector or structural damage) contact DCRA at 202-442-9557 or send an email to
dcra.housingcomplaints@dc.gov to request an inspection. Please visit the DCRA website for additional information about residential inspections.
No DC agency can provide mold testing or inspections for property owners. Property owners are responsible for the maintenance, repair and upkeep of their property. If there is a dispute between owners of privately-owned properties (including condo owners)
Multi-door Resolution through the DC Courts might be able to help.
If you see mold, the following steps are appropriate:
- Remove water/mold damaged material Locate and repair the source of moisture
- Dry the area completely
- Properly replace water damaged area with new material
Indoor mold may be a building-related problem, which means that moisture or water is entering and accumulating within building materials such as carpet, wall or ceiling materials. A wet or flooded building or house encourages the growth of mold.
The way to control mold is to eliminate indoor moisture levels and water intrusion. Without moisture or water, mold will not grow. Painting over molded surfaces does not get rid of mold.
Any person who tests, cleans, removes or otherwise works with mold or moldy materials, including District of
Columbia licensed contractors, is expected to follow techniques and suggested guidelines to minimize exposures when disturbing moldy materials. For workers, these include the use of well fitted particulate masks or respirators that protect against breathing particles as small as 1 micrometer or less. Using disposable gloves, coveralls and protective eyewear is recommended, as well as placing moldy materials in plastic bags, using HEPA vacuums to remove dust and debris, and covering soft furniture.
Biocides are substances that can destroy living organisms. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not recommend the use of a biocide (chlorine bleach, for example) as a routine practice during mold cleanup. There may be instances, however, when professional judgment may indicate its use (for example, when immune-compromised individuals are present). In most cases, it is not possible or desirable to sterilize the area; a background level of mold spores will remain – these spores will not grow if the moisture problem has been resolved.
If you choose to use disinfectants or biocides, wear protective equipment listed below and always ventilate the
area and exhaust the air to the outdoors. Never mix chlorine bleach solution with other cleaning solutions or detergents that contain ammonia because toxic fumes can be produced.
- Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible. Dry all items completely.
- Scrub mold off hard surfaces with non-ammonia soap or detergent and water, and dry completely.
- Absorbent or porous materials such as ceiling tiles and carpet may have to be thrown away if they become moldy. Mold can grow on and fill the empty spaces and crevices of porous materials, so the mold may be difficult or impossible to remove completely.
- It is important to limit your exposure to mold and mold spores. Wear an N-95 or P-100 respirator, which are available at many hardware stores and from companies that advertise on the Internet. Follow instructions for respirator use carefully. Wear long gloves that are made of natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile, polyurethrane or PVC. Gloves should extend to the middle of the forearm. Wear goggles that do not have ventilation holes. Avoid getting mold or mold spores in your eyes.
- Although not generally recommended for mold cleanup, if you choose to use a biocide or disinfectant, a disinfectant solution can be made by mixing one part chlorine bleach to four parts water. Remember to wear the N-95 respirator, gloves and goggles when applying the bleach solution. Do not mix with other cleaning solutions and ventilate the area completely! Allow the disinfectant solution to dry naturally for a six to eight hour time period. It should not be removed or dried quickly because extended contact time is important to kill the mold.
When mold covers more than 25 contiguous feet, you may need to hire a District of Columbia licensed contractor
who has a certification in mold testing and/or mold abatement. Contamination less than 25 contiguous square feet can usually be address by standard maintenance employees. The District of Columbia Government does not issue licenses or permits specifically for mold testing or abatement. However, when addressing such issues, the owner or occupier should hire a District of Columbia licensed general contractor or industrial hygienist with mold certifications from accredited educational institutions.
The following websites have information about companies that provide mold remediation services:
Environmental Protection Agency Resources
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Resources
Agencies 
