MOLD

Our team of professionals works to provide a variety of mold services ranging from, mold inspections, mold testing, mold inspections for real estate transfers.

What is Mold?

Molds are a form of fungi that grow naturally and play a key role in decomposition outdoors. Molds are typically found in soil, plants, and dead or decaying matter. Molds survive by absorbing whatever material they are growing on. Indoors, however, molds can pose a potential threat to your home or building and your health. Much like a plant spreads its seeds, molds give off spores to reproduce. These spores land on moist areas indoors and outdoors and begin to thrive. Molds have a potential to harm the structures they live on and the persons residing in them. An evaluation of the areas and moisture control along with proper remediation is essential to protecting your health and your home.

Where is Mold Commonly Found?

Even if you can’t see it, you may suspect mold by a musty odor. You may also suspect hidden mold if you know there has been a water problem in the building and its occupants are reporting health problems. Mold can grow anywhere when the moisture conditions permit. Mold can occur due to many types of leaks; 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) can also be a culprit such as unvented combustion appliances like clothes dryers vented into a garage. Some moisture problems are not easy to see. For example, the inside of walls where pipes and wires are run 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 pans 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 and the underside of carpets and pads.

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Health Effects

How Can Mold Be Harmful and Dangerous?

Mold can grow on virtually any organic material as long as moisture and oxygen are present. There are molds that grow on wood, paper, carpet, food, and insulation. Because mold eats or digests what it is growing on, it can damage a building and its furnishings. If left unchecked, mold eventually can cause structural damage to building materials. All molds have the potential to cause health problems. Once molds begin to grow indoors, a musty odor is observed followed by a variety of different symptoms such as headaches, breathing difficulties, allergic reactions, skin irritation, or elevated asthma. All of these are dependent on the person, the type of mold, and the building itself.

You can prevent damage to buildings and building contents, save money, and avoid potential health problems by controlling moisture and eliminating mold growth.

Inspection & Testing

Mold Inspections

A mold inspection can be preventative or needed as a result from a problem, such as a water leak, visual mold findings, or health concerns. Inspection of the affected areas may help locate the source of mold contamination, identify some of the mold species present, and differentiate between mold and soot or dirt. Our inspection comprises a full report which includes the visual inspector’s assessment/recommendations to remediate any areas that are found to have fungal contamination.

Mold testing involves a series of steps for proper handling of the conditions and to inhibit future problems:

Initial Consultation: The inhabitants’ perspective of the condition of the home or building is the first step. Most observations start with a musty odor and/or a series of health issues.
Visual Inspection: The technician will visually survey the home and look for mold growth areas, water stains, water intrusion points. A moisture meter and/or thermal imaging camera may be used here to determine humidity levels.
Samplings: Once the area of mold content is found, an air sample can be taken along with an outdoor control sample. If mold is physically found, then a swab sample can be taken as well.
Reporting and Recommendation: When lab results are obtained, a report will be generated explaining the specific situation, mold content levels, and recommendations for remediation, scope of work and clean up.
Removal: The highest priority in a remediation is to protect the health and safety of the building occupants. The removal should be completed by a licensed mold remediation company for proper treatment of the area or areas.
Final Clearances: Once the problem area is remediated, a clearance inspection is performed using a moisture meter and a thermal imaging camera to insure that all areas have been dried to industry standards. In addition, air samples are typically taken to insure that the mold was properly removed and that the home is safe for re-occupancy. After remediation, the indoor air quality should be similar to those in the local outdoor air (control). Lab results from final air sampling is the proof and documentation you need to be assured that the infesting mold has been removed properly and completely.

We offer various types of sampling and are able to adjust to the needs of our clients.

Surface Sampling, which includes methods such as swab sample, tape lift, and dust wipe is commonly used to identify indoor fungi. Surface sampling may be useful in determining if an area has been adequately cleaned or remediated.
Air Sampling is one of the most common methods used to evaluate fungal levels in indoor environments. Air sampling is an adequate representation of the exposure levels of airborne spores since studies show that health effects to mold are mostly related to the respiratory system.
Moisture Meters are often used to test humidity levels in suspected areas where mold may be hidden. This device is able to inform the inspector if unusual levels of humidity exist and if some areas are at risk for possible future mold growth.
Borescope Cameras are used when there is limited visibility to the suspect areas. This tool is able to bend and maneuver non-invasively behind tight corners or heavy furniture. This aids the inspector in determining the size of the problem area and/or possible leak sources.
Infrared Thermal Imaging Camera is a leading tool used when the source of a mold problem is a water intrusion. This infrared device can detect hidden leaks and water damage behind any material without damaging it in any way. It is also able to detect water/moisture build-up within walls, floor or ceiling areas which could indicate potential mold growth. Infrared thermal imaging tools have proven to be an excellent tool for quickly and reliably providing inspectors and their clients with an accurate analysis for a wide range of property problems. Some of which can be to locate areas of poor insulation or structural weakness is causing limited air retention, or for a look around the property for areas of concern for moisture and leak detection.

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Regulations & Resources

Learn More About Mold

CDPH Mold In My Home

Dr. Fungus

Facts About Stachybotrys

CDC Mold Basics

CDC Mold And Your Health

EPA Mold

Mold Quick Facts

Mold Grows Quickly:

Mold needs only moisture, temperatures above 40 °F (4 °C), and organic material to survive. Mold can grow in 24-48 hours, preferring areas with no sunlight, limited airflow, and little disruption.

Mold Destroys Your Home:

Because mold eats or digests what it is growing on, it can damage a building, its furnishings and personal belongings. If left unchecked, mold eventually can cause structural damage to building materials. Molds gradually destroy the things they grow on. You can prevent damage to buildings and building contents, save money, and avoid potential health problems by controlling moisture and eliminating mold growth.

Cleaning Visible Mold is Not Enough:

Mold can grow in fiberglass insulation, on top of ceiling tiles, inside HVAC systems, behind drywall panels, in wall cavities, and behind wallpaper. Even when it’s visible, it’s often impossible to tell the difference between mold, soot, and dirt without testing. The mold you can see is just the beginning, and some of it is extremely hard to find!

Bleach & Detergent Will Not Eliminate Mold:

Bleach and detergent are useful for removing mold on nonporous surfaces. However, materials such as ceiling tiles, carpeting, and wallboard will have deep mold penetration and may need to be replaced. Removed mold will re grow if all sources of moisture and humidity are not eliminated.

Mold Cleaning is Hazardous:

It only takes 3-5 mold spores to cause an allergic reaction, and some molds contain mycotoxins that are carcinogenic or deadly. Cleaning and air movement will cause mold to release their spores — it’s easy to accidentally knock hundreds of thousands of spores loose from a single patch of mold. Because of this, containment procedures using HEPA filtration is necessary to prevent contaminating the entire house or building.

Mold Inspections Require Professional Equipment and Training:

All of our inspections use state of the art thermal imaging cameras, moisture meters, borescope cameras, source sampling and air sampling to make an accurate assessment of the conditions currently in the areas of concern.

An infrared inspection can detect:

Hidden leaks and water damage
Mold growth within wall, floor or ceiling areas
Standing water and moisture within building cavities
Areas where poor insulation or structural weakness is causing poor air retension, resulting in increased electrical costs to maintain the air heating or cooling systems