Mold and mildew are types of organic growth and are part of the natural environment and can be found virtually everywhere, indoors and outdoors where both moisture and oxygen are present. The cases we typically see in residence halls typically occur in a few locations - the bathrooms (ceilings, walls, shower area), on the HVAC vents, and occasionally on the carpet or bedroom furniture near HVAC vents. Almost all of these cases are a result of humidity and temperatures outside clashing with cold air from the HVAC system, which creates condensation and the conditions for this growth to occur. The growth is all surface level and not usually in a quantity that creates an air quality problem.
Your health and safety is our top priority and we take this very seriously. Housing and Residence Life staff work closely with staff from the university's Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) and Facilities Management (FM) departments to ensure our residence halls are safe and healthy environments for students. In order for us to support you, we need to know there's an issue that needs to be addressed. Below you will find steps to follow if you suspect you have mold or mildew in your room/unit, as well as, preventative tips and FAQs.
Maintenance Requests
If you notice anything concerning regarding mold or mildew in your room, please follow these steps:
- Assess the location of the growth. If it is in the shower, on the shower curtain, on your sink, or on/in your toilet, you can clean these normally with a standard bathroom/toilet/shower cleaner.
- If it is not in one of these areas or you are not able to get it properly cleaned, submit an HRL maintenance request.
Maintenance requests are typically completed within two business days. If you do not see a response to the requested work after two business days, please call the Housing Facilities Office at 704-687-7502 for follow-up. The Housing Facilities Office is open weekdays 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (except University Holidays).
We will determine the cause of the mold or mildew, assess the severity, and properly clean it or take the other steps necessary to remove it. In severe cases, we engage with an outside contractor to assist with the work. And occasionally, based on the specific situation, we will hire a company to conduct an air quality test in order to clear the space.
Prevention
There are a few things you can do to assist in keeping mildew and mold from growing in your room:
- Ensure the bathroom exhaust fan is running while showering and leave it running for an extra 10+ minutes to remove excess moisture from the air.
- Leave the bathroom door open for up to 30 minutes after a shower so that the air can circulate and not be trapped in the bathroom.
- Keep room air vents (where applicable) in all areas open and unobstructed to maintain proper airflow.
- Keep your window closed, particularly during the day and time of year when it is warm and humid outside.
- Regularly clean your space. If you have a private bathroom, routinely clean it, including the toilet, vanities, floors, shower, shower curtain liner, with bathroom cleaner to prevent the growth of soap scum which is an excellent food source for mold. Always follow the directions and read all precautions before using any cleaning product.
- Report any water problems (leaks behind a toilet or under sinks, dripping faucets, wet carpet, leak from a ceiling, etc.) immediately by submitting a maintenance request.
- Do not place wet items in an enclosed area (hampers, bags,etc.).
Please know that we take students' health and safety very seriously. We will respond to issues in a timely manner and ensure that they are resolved fully.
FAQs
Thousands of species of mold, which occur naturally outside, will frequently have some spores present within buildings. Mold is usually white, green, black, yellow, brown or orange. The texture can have an appearance similar to powder, cotton, velvet or tar.
Our staff conducts routine maintenance of all buildings and carefully maintains the cooling and heating systems. This includes cleaning, maintaining and repairing HVAC equipment. All residence halls are cleaned by our trained housekeepers before the beginning of every academic year and when a room becomes completely vacant.
Any time there are concerns about the level of moisture in a space (typically seasonal), staff will investigate and offer solutions to mitigate the issue. Housing and Residence Life staff work closely with staff from the universitys Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) and Facilities Management (FM) departments to ensure our residence halls are safe and healthy environments for students.
If you notice anything concerning regarding mold or mildew in your room, please follow these steps:
- Assess the location of the growth. If it is in the shower, on the shower curtain, on your sink, or on/in your toilet, you can clean these normally with a standard bathroom/toilet/shower cleaner.
- If it is not in one of these areas or you are not able to get it properly cleaned, submit a maintenance request.
When we receive maintenance requests concerning mold or mildew, our staff will respond as soon as possible. Maintenance requests are typically completed within two business days. If you do not see a response to the requested work after two business days, please call the Housing Facilities Office at 704-687-7502 for follow-up. The Housing Facilities Office is open weekdays 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (except University Holidays).
We will then work with EH&S and FM to determine the cause of the mold or mildew, assess the severity, and properly clean it or take the other steps necessary to remove it. In severe cases, we engage with an outside contractor to assist with the work. And occasionally, based on the specific situation, we will hire a company to conduct an air quality test in order to clear the space.
Mold and mildew remediation is not regulated by the EPA or CDC. According to the EPA, mold cannot be eliminated in the environment unless extreme measures are taken constantly, as would be the case in a clean room laboratory. The presence of visible mold on indoor building materials is generally agreed by professionals to be an unacceptable condition that should be remediated as quickly as possible.
If you notice anything concerning regarding mold or mildew in your room, please follow these steps:
- Assess the location of the growth. If it is in the shower, on the shower curtain, on your sink, or on/in your toilet, you can clean these normally with a standard bathroom/toilet/shower cleaner.
- If it is not in one of these areas or you are not able to get it properly cleaned, submit a maintenance request.
Mold can be an air allergen similar to pollen, animal dander, dust and dust mites.
Exposure to molds may not cause any problems for some or may result in a variety of symptoms for others. People sensitive to molds may experience nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation or, rarely, skin irritation. People with asthma and/or mold allergies may have more severe reactions. It is not possible to predict what, if any, response a person might experience.
If you are feeling ill, we strongly encourage you to reach out to the Student Health Center to schedule an appointment.
For additional information concerning mold, please visit the CDC website.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email the HRL Facilities Services Office at hrlfacilities@uncc.edu or call 704-687-7502.