Mold in School Classrooms & Facilities: A Comprehensive Guide to Removal and Prevention

As students across the country head back to school this year, there is often a hidden threat that affects students, staff, and faculty: mold. While mold growth in these learning environments poses a significant health risk to students, teachers, and staff, potentially causing respiratory issues, allergies, and other health problems. It thrives in damp, poorly ventilated areas, and schools—often aging buildings with high occupancy—can be prime breeding grounds. This guide provides unique, practical, and actionable tips for identifying, removing, and preventing mold in schools, from classrooms, cafeterias, and other facilities to ensure a healthy learning environment.

Why Mold in Schools is a Serious Concern

The release of mold spores in the air can trigger several health issues:

Allergic reactions: Sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, or skin rashes.

Respiratory issues: Asthma exacerbation, coughing, or wheezing, especially in children.

Immune system effects: Increased susceptibility to infections in sensitive populations.

Neurocognitive impacts: Potential concentration difficulties or fatigue in prolonged exposure cases.

Children are particularly vulnerable due to their developing immune systems, and teachers or staff with prolonged exposure may also face health risks. Schools must act swiftly to address mold to comply with health regulations and maintain a safe environment.

Step 1: Identifying Mold in Schools

Before removal, you need to locate mold. Common areas of mold growth inside schools often includes:

Classrooms: Under the carpets, behind bookshelves, near windows, or up in the ceiling tiles.

Bathrooms: Around the sinks, toilets, or in poorly ventilated shower areas.

Gymnasiums/Locker Rooms: Damp areas with high humidity from showers or sweat.

Basements/Crawlspaces: Often neglected, these are mold hotspots due to moisture buildup.

HVAC Systems: Mold can spread through air vents if filters or ducts have been contaminated.

Signs of Mold:

Visible patches (black, green, white, or fuzzy growths).

Musty or earthy odors, especially in enclosed spaces.

Water stains, discoloration, or peeling paint.

Increased allergy or asthma symptoms among students or staff.

Consider conducting a "smell walk" with the school’s maintenance staff during non-school hours. Use a checklist to inspect high-risk areas systematically, noting any musty odors or visible damage you see. Engage students in a citizen-science project (with safety precautions) to report any unusual smells or visible mold to raise awareness without causing any alarm.

Step 2: Assessing the Scope of the Problem

Small-Scale Mold Infestation (<10 square feet): Can often be handled in-house with proper precautions.

Large-Scale Mold Infestation (>10 square feet or in HVAC systems): Requires professional remediation due to health risks and potential structural damage.

Additionally, your school can use a moisture meter (available for $20–$50 online) to check walls, ceilings, and floors for hidden moisture, which fuels mold growth. Combine this with a modern thermal imaging camera (rentable for ~$50/day) to detect cold spots indicating there’s water leaks behind walls.

Step 3: Safe Mold Removal in Schools

Mold removal and remediation must always prioritize everyone's safety to avoid spreading spores or exposing students/staff to harmful chemicals.

Safety Precautions

Isolate the Area: Seal off the affected classroom or facility with plastic sheeting and tape to prevent spore spread. Use negative air pressure machines (rentable from hardware stores) for larger areas.

Protect Workers: Wear N95 respirators, gloves, goggles, and disposable coveralls. Ensure no students are present during removal.

Ventilation: Open windows (if safe) or use HEPA-filtered air purifiers to capture airborne spores.

Mold Removal Steps

Fix the Source: Address any leaks, improve ventilation, or repair water damage before cleaning. Mold will most likely return if moisture persists.

Clean Small Areas:

Mix a solution of 1 cup bleach to 1 gallon water (or use a commercial mold cleaner like Concrobium).

Spray or wipe the moldy surface, let it sit for 10 minutes, then scrub with a brush.

Dry the area thoroughly with fans or dehumidifiers.

Remove Contaminated Materials: Porous items (e.g., carpets, ceiling tiles, or drywall) with extensive mold should be double-bagged and discarded.

Clean HVAC Systems: Replace filters and have ducts professionally cleaned if mold is suspected.

For delicate items like books or art supplies, use a dry fogging system with a non-toxic antifungal agent (e.g., hydrogen peroxide-based foggers). This helps to minimize damage to educational materials while killing mold spores. You can also rent out foggers from restoration companies for ~$100/day.

When to Call in The Mold Removal Professionals

If mold covers >10 square feet of space.

If it’s in the HVAC systems or hard-to-access areas like crawlspaces.

If health complaints persist despite the school’s cleaning efforts.

Contact the EPA’s Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools program for free guidance or local health departments for certified mold remediation contractors.

Step 4: Preventing Mold Regrowth

Prevention is critical to avoid recurring issues and protect school communities.

Control Moisture

Fix Leaks Promptly: Inspect roofs, pipes, and windows regularly, especially after heavy rain.

Use Dehumidifiers: Maintain indoor humidity below 50% in high-risk areas like basements or locker rooms. Industrial dehumidifiers cost ~$200–$500 but are a worthwhile investment.

Improve Drainage: Ensure gutters and downspouts direct water away from the building foundation.

Enhance Ventilation

Upgrade HVAC Filters: Use MERV-13 or higher filters to trap mold spores.

Install Exhaust Fans: Add fans in bathrooms, kitchens, and locker rooms to reduce humidity.

Open Windows Strategically: Encourage cross-ventilation in classrooms when weather permits, but avoid prolonged exposure to humid outdoor air.

Regular Maintenance

Annual Inspections: Schedule mold checks before the school year starts, focusing on high-risk areas.

Clean Carpets and Upholstery: Use HEPA-filtered vacuums and dry-cleaning methods to prevent moisture buildup.

Seal Cracks: Apply waterproof sealants to window frames and foundation walls.

You can create a "Mold Patrol" team of trained custodial staff and volunteers to conduct monthly checks using a standardized checklist. Gamify the process with incentives (e.g., recognition for spotting issues early) to encourage proactive monitoring.

Educate the School Community

Train all of the teachers to recognize mold signs and report them promptly.

Teach all of the students about mold prevention (e.g., not leaving wet gym clothes in lockers).

Share a one-page “Mold Facts” flyer with parents to reduce panic and promote cooperation.

Step 5: Monitoring and Long-Term Health Protection

Air Quality Testing: After mold remediation, use air sampling kits (~$50–$100) to confirm mold levels are safe. Professional mold testing services may cost $300–$500 but they are far more thorough.

Health Monitoring: Work with school nurses to track respiratory or allergy complaints, which could indicate hidden mold.

Policy Development: Establish a school mold response plan, including a budget for emergency repairs and regular maintenance.

Consider installing low-cost hygrometers (~$10 each) in classrooms to monitor humidity levels. You can also create a student-led “Humidity Heroes” program where kids log readings weekly, fostering engagement and early detection of moisture issues.

Additional Resources

EPA’s Mold and Moisture Guidance: www.epa.gov/mold

Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools: Check with a local, certified mold remediation company near you.

Local Health Departments: For free or low-cost mold inspections in some areas where available.

Key Takeaways

Act Fast: Identify and remove mold promptly to prevent any further health risks.

Prioritize Prevention: Control the moisture and ventilation to stop mold before it starts.

Engage the Community: Involve the school’s staff, students, and parents in monitoring and education efforts.

Use Technology: Tools like moisture meters, hygrometers, and foggers can make a massive difference if you’re on a budget.

By following these recommended steps, schools everywhere can create a much safer and healthier environment, while reducing absenteeism and improving academic performance. If you suspect that there’s mold is growing in your school, please do not wait or hesitate to reach out to a locally certified mold remediation company to come by and assess the situation as soon as possible. Staying proactive when it comes to mold can drastically reduce many compounding issues that can adversely affect the school’s property and everyone’s health too.