Mold Inspection Information
mold testing and mold inspections
Mold Inspection Services offered:
Molds produce tiny spores to reproduce. Mold
spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When
mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing
and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive.
There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.
When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold
growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem
remains undiscovered or un-addressed. There is no practical way
to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment;
the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
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Potential health effects and symptoms
associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions,
asthma, and other respiratory complaints.
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There is no practical way to eliminate all
mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to
control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
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If mold is a problem in your home or
school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of
moisture.
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Fix the source of the water problem or leak
to prevent mold growth.
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Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60% ) to
decrease mold growth by: venting bathrooms, dryers, and
other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air
conditioners and de-humidifiers; increasing ventilation; and
using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and
cleaning.
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Clean and dry any damp or wet building
materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold
growth.
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Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and
detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as
ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.
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Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential
for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping,
exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
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In areas where there is a perpetual
moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by
drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete
floors with leaks or frequent condensation).
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Molds can be found almost anywhere; they
can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is
present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper,
carpet, and foods.
If you have IAQ and mold issues in your school,
you should get a copy of the
IAQ
Tools for Schools Kit. Mold is covered in the IAQ
Coordinator's Guide under
Appendix H - Mold and Moisture
The key to mold control is moisture control. It
is important to dry water damaged areas and items within 24-48
hours to prevent mold growth. If mold is a problem in your home,
clean up the mold and get rid of the excess water or moisture.
Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water. Wash mold off hard
surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely. Absorbent
materials (such as ceiling tiles and carpet) that become moldy
may have to be replaced.
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Asthma and Mold
Molds can trigger asthma episodes in sensitive
individuals with asthma. People with asthma should avoid
contact with or exposure to molds.
EPA's
Asthma web site
EPA's
Asthma Brochure
EPA's
Mold page from Asthma web site
Some people are sensitive to molds. For these
people, exposure to molds can cause symptoms such as nasal
stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation. Some
people, such as those with serious allergies to molds, may have
more severe reactions. Severe reactions may occur among workers
exposed to large amounts of molds in occupational settings, such
as farmers working around moldy hay. Severe reactions may
include fever and shortness of breath. Some people with chronic
lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop
mold infections in their lungs.
EPA's publication,
Indoor Air Pollution: An Introduction for Health Professionals
, assists health professionals (especially the primary
care physician) in diagnosis of patient symptoms that could be
related to an indoor air pollution problem. It addresses the
health problems that may be caused by contaminants encountered
daily in the home and office. Organized according to pollutant
or pollutant groups such as environmental tobacco smoke, VOCs,
biological pollutants, and sick building syndrome, this booklet
lists key signs and symptoms from exposure to these pollutants,
provides a diagnostic checklist and quick reference summary, and
includes suggestions for remedial action. Also includes
references for information contained in each section. This
booklet was developed by the American Lung Association, the
American Medical Association, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission, and the EPA. EPA Document Reference Number
402-R-94-007, 1994.
Allergic Reactions - excerpted from
Indoor Air Pollution: An Introduction for Health Professionals
section on: Animal Dander, Molds, Dust Mites, Other Biologicals
.
A major concern associated with exposure to
biological pollutants is allergic reactions, which range from
rhinitis, nasal congestion, conjunctival inflammation, and
urticaria to asthma. Notable triggers for these diseases are
allergens derived from house dust mites; other arthropods,
including cockroaches; pets (cats, dogs, birds, rodents); molds;
and protein-containing furnishings, including feathers, kapok,
etc. In occupational settings, more unusual allergens (e.g.,
bacterial enzymes, algae) have caused asthma epidemics. Probably
most proteins of non-human origin can cause asthma in a subset
of any appropriately exposed population.
Consult the
Centers for
Disease Control (CDC) website
Stachybotrys or Stachybotrys atra (chartarum) and
health effects
The EPA publication, A Brief Guide to
Mold, Moisture, and Your Home , is available here in
HTML and
PDF formats. This Guide provides information and guidance
for homeowners and renters on how to clean up residential mold
problems and how to prevent mold growth. A printed version will
be available soon.
Biological Pollutants in Your Home - This document
explains indoor biological pollution, health effects of
biological pollutants, and how to control their growth and
buildup. One third to one half of all structures have damp
conditions that may encourage development of pollutants such as
molds and bacteria, which can cause allergic reactions --
including asthma -- and spread infectious diseases. Describes
corrective measures for achieving moisture control and
cleanliness. This brochure was prepared by the American Lung
Association and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. EPA
Document Reference Number 402-F-90-102, January 1990.
Moisture control is the key to mold control, the
Moisture Control Section from
Biological Pollutants in Your Home follows:
Water in your home can come from many sources.
Water can enter your home by leaking or by seeping through
basement floors. Showers or even cooking can add moisture to the
air in your home. The amount of moisture that the air in your
home can hold depends on the temperature of the air. As the
temperature goes down, the air is able to hold less moisture.
This is why, in cold weather, moisture condenses on cold
surfaces (for example, drops of water form on the inside of a
window). This moisture can encourage biological pollutants to
grow.
There are many ways to control moisture in your
home:
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Fix leaks and seepage. If water is entering
the house from the outside, your options range from simple
landscaping to extensive excavation and waterproofing. (The
ground should slope away from the house.) Water in the
basement can result from the lack of gutters or a water flow
toward the house. Water leaks in pipes or around tubs and
sinks can provide a place for biological pollutants to grow.
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Put a plastic cover over dirt in
crawlspaces to prevent moisture from coming in from the
ground. Be sure crawlspaces are well-ventilated.
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Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens
to remove moisture to the outside (not into the attic). Vent
your clothes dryer to the outside.
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Turn off certain appliances (such as
humidifiers or kerosene heaters) if you notice moisture on
windows and other surfaces.
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Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners,
especially in hot, humid climates, to reduce moisture in
the air, but be sure that the appliances themselves don't
become sources of biological pollutants.
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Raise the temperature of cold surfaces
where moisture condenses. Use insulation or storm windows.
(A storm window installed on the inside works better than
one installed on the outside.) Open doors between rooms
(especially doors to closets which may be colder than the
rooms) to increase circulation. Circulation carries heat to
the cold surfaces. Increase air circulation by using fans
and by moving furniture from wall corners to promote air and
heat circulation. Be sure that your house has a source of
fresh air and can expel excessive moisture from the home.
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Pay special attention to carpet on concrete
floors. Carpet can absorb moisture and serve as a place for
biological pollutants to grow. Use area rugs which can be
taken up and washed often. In certain climates, if carpet is
to be installed over a concrete floor, it may be necessary
to use a vapor barrier (plastic sheeting) over the concrete
and cover that with sub-flooring (insulation covered with
plywood) to prevent a moisture problem.
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Moisture problems and their solutions
differ from one climate to another. The Northeast is cold
and wet; the Southwest is hot and dry; the South is hot and
wet; and the Western Mountain states are cold and dry. All
of these regions can have moisture problems. For example,
evaporative coolers used in the Southwest can encourage the
growth of biological pollutants. In other hot regions, the
use of air conditioners which cool the air too quickly may
prevent the air conditioners from running long enough to
remove excess moisture from the air. The types of
construction and weatherization for the different climates
can lead to different problems and solutions.
Moisture On Windows
Your humidistat is set too high if excessive
moisture collects on windows and other cold surfaces. Excess
humidity for a prolonged time can damage walls especially when
outdoor air temperatures are very low. Excess moisture condenses
on window glass because the glass is cold. Other sources of
excess moisture besides overuse of a humidifier may be long
showers, running water for other uses, boiling or steaming in
cooking, plants, and drying clothes indoors. A tight, energy
efficient house holds more moisture inside; you may need to run
a kitchen or bath ventilating fan sometimes, or open a window
briefly. Storm windows and caulking around windows keep the
interior glass warmer and reduce condensation of moisture there.
Humidifiers are not recommended for use in
buildings without proper vapor barriers because of potential
damage from moisture buildup. Consult a building contractor to
determine the adequacy of the vapor barrier in your house. Use a
humidity indicator to measure the relative humidity in your
house. The American Society of Heating and Air Conditioning
Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends these maximum indoor humidity
levels.
Outdoor Recommended Indoor Temperature Relative
Humidity
+20 F. 35%
+10 F. 30%
0 F. 25%
-10 F. 20%
-20 F. 15%
Anne Field, Extension Specialist, Emeritus, with
reference from the Association for Home Appliance Manufacturers
(
http://www.aham.org).
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Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned?
The following is an excerpt on duct cleaning and mold. You
should consider having the air ducts in your home cleaned if:
There is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface
(e.g., sheet metal) ducts or on other components of your heating
and cooling system. There are several important points to
understand concerning mold detection in heating and cooling
systems:
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Many sections of your heating and cooling
system may not be accessible for a visible inspection, so
ask the service provider to show you any mold they say
exists.
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You should be aware that although a
substance may look like mold, a positive determination of
whether it is mold or not can be made only by an expert and
may require laboratory analysis for final confirmation. For
about $50, some microbiology laboratories can tell you
whether a sample sent to them on a clear strip of sticky
household tape is mold or simply a substance that resembles
it.
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If you have insulated air ducts and the
insulation gets wet or moldy it cannot be effectively
cleaned and should be removed and replaced.
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If the conditions causing the mold growth
in the first place are not corrected, mold growth will
recur.
Contact American Dream Property Inspection
Service for all your inspection needs!
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