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What You should Know

Mold Information

WHAT IS MOLD ?

  

The paragraph below is a page from the EPA's website
EPA  Environmental Protection Agengy   www.epa.gov

Should I use bleach?  NO

Biocides are substances that can destroy living organisms. The use of a chemical or biocide that kills organisms such as mold (chlorine bleach, for example) is not recommended as a routine practice during mold cleanup. There may be instances, however, when professional judgment may indicate its use (for example, when immune-compromised individuals are present). In most cases, it is not possible or desirable to sterilize an area; a background level of mold spores will remain - these spores will not grow if the moisture problem has been resolved. If you choose to use disinfectants or biocides, always ventilate the area and exhaust the air to the outdoors. Never mix chlorine bleach solution with other cleaning solutions or detergents that contain ammonia because toxic fumes could be produced.

Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any organic substance, as long as moisture and oxygen are present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, foods, and insulation. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed. It is impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. However, mold growth can be controlled indoors by controlling moisture indoors.

Inhalation exposure to mold indoors can cause health effects in some people. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and, in some cases, potentially toxic substances or chemicals (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Mold does not have to be alive to cause an allergic reaction. Dead or alive, mold can cause allergic reactions in some people.

Allergic Reactions, Asthma Attacks, Irritant Effects

Allergic reactions to mold are common and can be immediate or delayed. Repeated or single exposure to mold, mold spores, or mold fragments may cause non-sensitive individuals to become sensitive to mold, and repeated exposure has the potential to increase sensitivity. Allergic responses include hay fever-like symptoms such as headache, sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Molds can cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, molds can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of individuals whether or not they are allergic to mold.

Pictures of Mold in a home after a flood or heavy rains.

          
   Remediation in progress                  Mold found in the attic

Crawl spaces

Crawl spaces where relative humidity (RH) is high are common sites of hidden mold growth, particularly if the crawl space has a bare earth floor. The soil will wick moisture, through capillary action, from moist to dry areas. The relative warmth of the crawl space will dry the soil by evaporation, adding this moisture to the air in the crawl space where it can cause mold to grow. Also, in areas where the water table is high and weather conditions are suitable, ground water may enter a crawl space.The moisture that accumulates in a crawl space may also enter another part of the building and contribute to mold growth there. Moisture can pass from a crawl space into a building through cracks in walls, floors, and ceilings.

Full Containment:

Full containment is recommended for the clean up of mold-contaminated surface areas of more than 100 square feet and when intense or long-term exposures are expected. It is also recommended if it appears likely that the occupant's space would be further contaminated if full containment were not used because high levels of airborne dust or mold spores are likely. Full containment requires double layers of polyethylene sheeting to create a barrier between the moldy area and other parts of the building. A decontamination chamber or airlock -- an area with doors between the contaminated area and the clean area -- should be built for entry into and exit out of the remediation area.

"Attic" ..water leaking through the roof, considered a mold issue


 Moisture problems can have many causes. Some moisture problems have been linked to changes in building construction practices since the 1970s. These practices led to buildings that are tightly sealed but, in some cases, lack adequate ventilation. Without adequate ventilation, moisture may build up indoors and mold may grow.



 

 

Common moisture problems include:

  • Leaking roofs.
  • Leaking or condensing water pipes, especially pipes inside wall cavities or pipe chases.
  • Leaking fire-protection sprinkler systems.
  • Landscaping, gutters, and down spouts that direct water into or under a building.
  • High humidity (> 60% relative humidity).
  • Unvented combustion appliances such as clothes dryers vented into a garage. (Clothes dryers and other combustion appliances should be vented to the outside.)

Moisture problems can have many causes. Some moisture problems have been linked to changes in building construction practices since the 1970s. These practices led to buildings that are tightly sealed but, in some cases, lack adequate ventilation. Without adequate ventilation, moisture may build up indoors and mold may grow.

 

Some moisture problems are not easy to see. For example, the inside of walls where pipes and wires are run (pipe chases and utility tunnels) are common sites of mold growth. Mold is frequently found on walls in cold corners behind furniture where condensation forms. Other possible locations of hidden moisture, resulting in hidden mold growth are:

  • Poorly draining condensate drain pains inside air handling units.
  • Porous thermal or acoustic liners inside duct work.
  • Roof materials above ceiling tiles.
  • The back side of drywall (also known as gypsum board, wallboard, or SHEETROCK®), paneling, and wallpaper.
  • The underside of carpets and pads.

 

 

 
Home vacant for 1 year, continous water drip

A building must be properly designed for climate, site location, and use, and its design must be accurately followed during construction or the building may have moisture-control problems.

Delayed or insufficient maintenance can lead to moisture problems in buildings. Undiscovered or ignored moisture problems can create an environment in which mold can grow. Moisture problems in temporary structures, such as portable classrooms, are also frequently associated with mold problems.

Center for Diesease Control & Prevention
C.D.C.


What are the potential health effects of mold in
buildings and homes?

Mold exposure does not always present a health problem indoors. However some people are sensitive to molds. These people may experience symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation when exposed to molds. Some people may have more severe reactions to molds. 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. Immunocompromised persons and persons with chronic lung diseases like COPD are at increased risk for opportunistic infections and may develop fungal infections in their lungs

warning: If you have a mold problem in your home and are concerned about it, please make sure the person and company are MOLD CERTIFIED. There are companies in central Missouri who mention they test for mold BUT are not certified to even take the test in your home. If the person doing the mold test in your home, does NOT look for the mold before even testing , and using the inproper equipment to locate and test for moisture or evaluate areas where mold can grow, this person should NOT even be considered to even be called on. Don't take a chance, and waste your hard earned money, and take a chance to a family member to get ill because of a noncertified tester..DO NOT have these people test for any type of issues that are causing a problem in YOUR homes. If the test they submit is not the correct LPM (Litres per minute) the test in your home will not show a correct reading of whats in your home, are you going to take that risk, by listening to a NON CERTIFIED MOLD INSPECTOR. There are standards of practice and exams that are taken with Associations and organizations, that qualify us to do the job correctly.

Couple Organizations & Associations listed below that qualify Inspectors to test and inspect for Mold Issues.

IAQA  Indoor Air Quality Association    www.iaqa.org
ESA  The Environmental Solution Association   www.esaassociation.com
IAC-2  Indoor Air Consutant Association   www.esaassociation.com

NEHA  Natiional Environemtnal Health Association  ( Radon Certification ONLY)
www.neha.org  Not mold certified

DON'T TAKE THE RISK.....CALL US NOW.

GOT MOLD ?

Call NOW for a MOLD Inspection or Evaluation of concern in a certain area in your home or office..


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