Beware of low airflow, mold this winter

Believe it or not, though Alaska’s winter air is cold and dry, people keeping their homes warm also trap moisture inside, which causes problems with mold if not managed.

To raise awareness about mold, Aurora Military Housing provides resources for inspection, evaluation, and education for Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson tenants.

“It is important for tenants who might have concerns about mold to do two things: take advantage of the information available on the Aurora Military Housing website to combat mold, and communicate with our team when there is a concern,” said Rachel Hodgson,

Aurora Military Housing’s general manager.

The team of technicians are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year by calling 753-1091.

“We can inspect or investigate any challenges you have in your home, and help you take care of them as quickly as possible ensuring your family’s health and well-being,” Hodgson said.

Mold is a fungus that requires water, oxygen, food, and moderate temperatures to grow.

“While you can’t eliminate the spores from the air, you can ensure favorable conditions are mitigated by properly managing humidity in the air while also checking for condensation or water leaks,” said Jody Kuhns, Aurora Military Housing safety and quality assurance manager.

When mold is a problem, the number one thing the AMH staff looks for is a water leak or issue, Kuhns said.

If it is determined there isn’t one, then technicians check humidity levels and air flow.

“The biggest thing individuals can do to control the growth of mold in warm environments is by improving airflow,” Kuhns said. “For instance, after you get out of a hot shower, open the door and keep the fan running for at least 10 minutes, giving the fan a chance to pull out any remaining moisture.”

While using a humidifier can help with health issues or nose bleeds it is beneficial to also have a humidistat to measure the level of humidity in the home.

“According to the World Health Organization, 35 to 45 percent humidity is good,” Kuhns said. “It is important to monitor it; 50 percent humidity breeds dust mites which can cause allergic reactions and other health issues of their own.”

In addition to being aware of mold and how to measure humidity, managing air circulation can be relatively easy.

Opening a door or a window for a few minutes can create circulation of air and help remove built-up moisture in a home.

All Aurora Military Housing on base have fans in the bathrooms and kitchen and some of the newer homes have an automatic whole-house fan that can be set on a timer. Homes left vacant for longer than five days need to have someone coming in and checking on them. If the tenant is deployed, they can call and set up routine walk-throughs.

As with most things, early detection is key. Immediate communication with AMH about a water leak or mold can have the issue cleaned up in 24 to 48 hours.

For assistance, contact AMH at 753-1091.