Concerned about mold?

If you have had a “water occurrence” during your homes history, then the possibility of mold growth is great. A water occurrence is considered to be any of these possible scenarios:

• Flooding in your home or basement
• Plumbing leaks (drains, supply lines, waste lines, valves, joints, etc.)
• Roofing leaks
• Foundation seepage
• Damp or wet basement
• Damp or wet crawl space
• Leaking air conditioner units
• Leaking or poorly maintained appliances such as refrigerators and freezers
• Overflow or leaking of appliances such as clothes washer, dishwasher, water softener, etc.
• Improper ground drainage or grading
• Gutter deterioration or leaks
• Poor construction practices
• Anything that has allowed water to enter your home for an extended period of time.(Known as a chronic condition)

A mold assesment can help you identify these and other issues in your home.

About Mold:

Mold needs a moist environment in order to grow. Any of the above mentioned occurrences, no matter how minor you believe them to be, can allow mold to grow within 24 to 48 hours if not discovered and remediated promptly. Often mold can be discovered as a result of staining of walls and appliances that it may be growing on or near. Most times mold goes unnoticed by growing inside wall and ceiling cavities, or in seldom used closets, basements, and crawlspaces. Substantial Mold growth not only may pose a health hazard to you, your family, and pets, but is detrimental to many of the structural and cosmetic components of your home.

Mold is a prime component in the natural process of decomposing wood and cellulose based materials in nature. Many concerns exist about mold. Some substantiated, others not. A relaxing afternoon walk through the woods to view the fall foliage will expose you to more mold and fungal spores then you'll care to know about. Many of these spores will be the "toxic" species. Mold and fungus is a part of our everday life.

In simplified terms, mold colonies grow by releasing millions of microscopic seeds called “spores”. These spores become airborne (drift in the air), settle in another place, grow and reproduce, starting the whole process again. Sometimes this process is completed in a matter of hours. While most spores are harmless, some may cause allergic and toxic reactions to humans who breathe them, come in contact with, or ingest the spores. Individuals will react differently to mold spore exposure. Some people have minor to severe allergic reactions (most common), some become deathly sick (rare), while others have no reaction at all. Those at greatest risk to health hazards related to mold exposure include: infants, young children, elderly, pregnant women, individuals with existing respiratory conditions such as asthma, and those already diagnosed with allergies or immune deficiencies. Symptoms of mold exposure range widely from minor itching and "hay fever" or allergy like symptoms, to serious health ailments.

It is impossible to completely eliminate all mold and mold spores indoors, but indoor mold growth can be reduced and prevented by controlling water and moisture indoors. Mold is present everywhere and has been with us since the beginning of time. You are breathing mold spores as you read this. Prevention of substantial mold growth is the key. The following may prevent or reduce indoor mold growth:

• Repair and clean up any water leaks quickly
• Provide good air circulation throughout the home
• Install or repair moisture prevention devices such as brick veneer weep holes, crawlspace vents, and proper attic ventillation
• All HVAC systems should have a good HEPA type or electrostatic filter on them and should be maintained regularly
• Use bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room exhaust fans to reduce humidity and moisture build up
• Insulate and ventilate attic and crawl space areas
• Clean, dry, or remove items that are damaged by water immediately

Real Estate deals do not need to be broken.

If the home you are thinking about purchasing has mold, do not panic! You can remove unusual mold levels from the home and bring it back to the original condition. A mold assessment of the property will help you achieve this.

NOTE: If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but do not fix the water problem, the mold will grow back. If the contaminated area involved is very large, you may wish to consider hiring a professional.

To find out if mold is a problem in your home, you should have a mold assesment conducted by your inspector.

A visual inspection is the initial step in identifying possible contamination problems. It will identify any visible water leaks or moisture stains on the ceilings, walls, floors, or beneath counters. The HVAC systems, attic, and crawl spaces will also receive a visual inspection. Often the use of specialized equipment such as moisture and humidity meters, is used to help identify potential hidden sources of mold growth.

Mold sampling may be recommended if there is any noticeable musty odors, visible water damage or stains, poorly maintained HVAC systems, or construction defects. By combining a visual inspection with air, tape or swab sampling, the Inspector can help identify the hidden source of mold, allergens, and indoor pollutants and the extent of any acute or chronic water damage or moisture damage.

When visible, suspected mold or mildew growth is present, sampling is not recommended unless required by a family physician or specialist, or you deem absolutely necessary to identify the mold growth. Identifying the specific types of suspected mold visibly growing or present will reduce funds available for the cleanup process.

Please contact me to find out more about Air Quality and your home. I will help you to determine if a mold inspection is appropriate for your home or the home you may be buying. At the very least, I will send you FREE literature and information that will aid you in making an informed decision. BC Warner Home Inspections is dedicated to helping you find a safe and healthy home for you and your family.