Email   Print   Share By Sgt. 1st Class Dallas Parkerson, Asst. IG

Facebook Digg Delicious June 21, 2012 | News

Last week, we discussed the concerns dealing with mold in your living quarters. This week, we will discuss the tips that can be used to alleviate some common mold issues in your living quarters.



Do’s and Don’ts

▪ Do call-in or fix leaky plumbing and suspected presence of moisture in the walls or ceilings of the building as soon as possible.

▪ Don’t leave outside doors and windows open while air conditioning your living quarters. The warm moist air from outside will condense on cool interior walls and promote mold growth.

▪ Do watch for condensation and wet spots. Call-in or fix source(s) of moisture problem(s) as soon as possible.

▪ Don’t block AC vents to regulate room temperature. This will throw the AC unit out of balance and create a moisture problem that helps mold to grow.

▪ Do keep heating, ventilation, and air conditioning drip pans clean, flowing properly, and unobstructed.

▪ Don’t mix Clorox and ammonia when cleaning mold. This will generate toxic gases and cause serious harm to you and others. Use detergents or general purpose cleaning agent to clean mold.

▪ Do submit work requests to housing maintenance call center/DPW for billets to vent moisture-generation appliances, such as dryers, to the outside.

▪ Do report all plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible. Dry all items completely.

▪ Do scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water and dry completely. Use gloves and goggles while cleaning.

▪ Do keep your windows closed and the thermostat during the summer season at 74 degrees or higher.

▪ Do wipe off excess moisture in areas that you can safely reach, such as air conditioning vents, walls and ceilings in bathrooms and

furniture.

▪ Do check to ensure the bathroom ventilation/exhaust fan is operational and place a work order if it is not.

▪ Do ensure wet clothes and other wet items, such as furniture, are promptly cleaned and dried within 24 hours.

▪ Do place a work order immediately if the air conditioner drip pan overflows. The drip pan is located in the large register where the air filter is located.

▪ Occupants need to ensure they have a shower curtain inside the shower; otherwise the water will run down the curtain to the bathroom floor.

▪ Do call the housing maintenance call center (532-3133)/barracks management (553-3678), if there are any questions or concerns with mold.

Caulking in the latrine and kitchenette areas should be in place, and not removed or dried up. If caulk is not in place in housing, contact the housing maintenance call center to place a work request.

Soldiers living in billeting and administrative areas in the barracks are unit responsibilities. The First Sergeant Billets Program takes care of all issues, mold and maintenance in the barracks rooms and dayrooms. Each Soldier living in the barracks at Fort Hood receives a Frequently Asked Question card that includes contact information for maintenance issues when they are assigned a room.

Remember, the biggest issue is reporting leaks. Leader involvement is necessary at the lowest level.

It is key that first-line supervisors check their Soldiers’ rooms on a regular basis and they look for signs of water leaks, seals, caulking, air conditioning settings, vents and the presence/use of a shower curtain.

Also, ensure leaks are reported, using a work order, and a follow up is done by the chain of commands’ designated barracks representative. Do not submit a service order for mold and report the immediately, if you cannot clean, to your respective barracks management team who will work the issue.

As always, the IG is here to help.