Black mold is a problem that can be found in many households, and it can be difficult to identify by sight alone. If you suspect the presence of black mold but aren’t sure if you have found it yet, don’t worry! There are some tell-tale signs that will let you know if the black stuff has set up shop in your home. Some people say they can smell black mold before they see it—but what does black mold smell like? Read on to find out more about the common odors associated with this type of fungus.
What Is Black Mold?
Black mold is a type of fungus that can cause many different health problems. It grows in wet, dimly lit areas and thrives on moisture. If you have black mold growing in your home or property, it could be wreaking havoc on your walls and ceiling while also causing respiratory issues for anyone who comes into contact with it.
How to Identify Black Mold Visually
Black mold can be identified by its black, furry appearance. However, if you’re not sure if the black stuff you’ve found is actually mold, there are some other ways to tell. Look for any areas where the wall or ceiling appears to be wet or damp and check for signs of condensation. If it’s been more than a week since you’ve had any precipitation, and there’s still water damage present, it’s likely that black mold is to blame.
How Does Black Mold Smell?
Some people say they can smell black mold before they see it. The odor associated with black mold is often described as musty, earthy, or mildew-like. If you notice a strong, dank odor that’s not necessarily unpleasant but isn’t familiar either, it might be coming from black mold spores—and your first step should be to contact the professionals at Mold-B-Gone for advice on next steps.
How Dangerous Is Black Mold?
When it comes to black mold, the danger isn’t in simply smelling or seeing it – exposure can cause serious health problems for you and your family. Symptoms of exposure may include allergies, an asthma attack, runny nose, watery eyes, and rashes on skin that has been exposed to black mold spores over time. Exposure to high levels of black mold spores can even be fatal.
If you think you might have black mold in your home, it’s important to take action right away. Mold-B-Gone is here to help. Contact us today for mold removal in Atlanta!
Crawlspaces are the ideal environment for mold to thrive.
Most crawlspaces are dark, dirty, and humid. Bugs like to live in there. They’re vented to the outside air in the summer (and in the winter if you neglect to close your vents) which can be very humid and this defeats the purpose of venting.
Mold is a fungus that requires moisture and high humidity to grow and thrive.
Like plants, mold has cells. However, unlike a plant that has chlorophyll and able to makes it’s food through photosynthesis, mold can not feed without moisture.
Mold reproduces by releasing it’s spores, this is mold’s survival mechanism.
In addition to moisture, mold also requires the right temperature of 41 degrees fahrenheit up to 100 degrees fahrenheit, common in Atlanta, Georgia and the South.
The final ingredient mold needs to thrive is food: high cellulose materials such as paper and wood, drywall, wallpaper, carpet, ceiling tiles, dust, and dirt.
If you want to know more about mold, then read: 10 Facts About Mold.
Now that you understand why mold grows in your crawlspace, the remainder of this article will list and explain the top three reasons why you have moisture in your crawlspace and what you can do to fix the humidity issues.
How To Measure The Relative Humidity Of Your Crawlspace!
The easiest way to determine the relative humidity of your crawlspace is to use a hygrometer or you could install a digital thermo-hygrometer with a remote sensor to track it.
If the relative humidity is greater than 50% this could cause moisture issues that leads to mold.
Mold will begin to grow at 50%, and will thrive when the humidity is greater than 70%.
The key to ensuring that your crawlspace does not become a source of mold is to figure out how to control the humidity.
Listed below are the top three reasons your crawlspace has high humidity.
#1 Water Accumulation!
If your crawlspace has standing water, you probably have a drainage problem or a plumbing leak. This needs to be fixed immediately.
You do not want water to accumulate in your crawlspace because this will compound your potential mold problems, not to mention as mold grows it will impact the indoor air quality of your home and health.
#2 Moisture Evaporating From The Ground!
When homes are built with crawl spaces, most builders neglect to cover the ground, meaning that the crawlspace is covered with dirt.
Dirt has moisture and as the moisture evaporates, it will increase the humidity in your crawlspace.
Unfortunately, this is a common problem in Atlanta, Georgia, and other southern states. To prevent moisture from evaporating from the ground, the easiest solution is to cover it up with a vapor barrier during crawlspace encapsulation.
#3 Outdoor Air Coming In Through The Crawlspace Vents!
The third reason your crawlspace could have moisture issues is through the vents.
When you bring outdoor air into the crawlspace, the relative humidity can increase.
Cool air cannot hold as much moisture as warm air, so the air that enters is now closer to its saturation point, referred to as the dew point.
It might be 60% relative humidity outside, relative to a temperature of 90 degrees fahrenheit, but when that air enters the crawlspace and cools down to 75 degrees fahrenheit, the relative humidity jumps up to 95%.
In the past, we were told that crawlspaces needed to be ventilated. Now, however, we are learning that crawlspaces need to be treated almost as if they were living spaces.
Fixing Your Crawlspace Humidity and Mold Problems
If your crawlspace is vented and the relative humidity is high, you need to fix the problems. It is not as simple as installing a dehumidifier either.
If you have water accumulation, the source of the water must be addressed. If it is a plumbing issue, fix the leak. If the problem is caused by drainage, this must be fixed as well.
If the problem relates to moisture evaporating from the ground or outdoor air coming into your vents, this can be fixed with crawlspace encapsulation in Atlanta, GA.
Mold-B-Gone Remediation, LLC specializes in drying out damp crawlspaces and turning them into dry, healthy foundations for your home.
Our dry-space crawlspace system includes the following:
Thorough cleaning of the crawlspace, including mold removal and prevention.
Installation of a wall-to-wall guide, durable, 14 mil vapor barrier.
Attachment of the vapor barrier over ground and up sidewalls to 6 inches below floor joists.
It’s that time of year when the real estate market begins heating up in Atlanta, Georgia. More houses on the market to fill the need of anxious home buyers.
Many homes built since the 1970s are showing signs of mold growth because of the oil crisis that occurred. This event encouraged home builders to make the homes more air-tight, meaning there were less drafts that brought outdoor air into the home.
This trend to energy efficiency has led to mold problems because mold needs water and moisture to thrive and the air-tight environments trap moisture in.
The upside is energy efficiency has saved you costs on utilities.
The downside, indoor air quality has suffered because of mold growth! This has led to higher incidences of mold related illness and reduced home values because mold literally feeds on the home, impacting its structural integrity.
The major problem with mold is that it can be hidden. You could have mold in your home and not even know that you have it. Sometimes the only clue that you have mold is family members may be getting sick more often. The problem with hidden mold is the mold spores are not visible and because of modern day HVAC systems, the air borne spores will continue to be circulated in your home, thereby spreading the spores in every room of your home.
As a home seller or home buyer, you need to be aware of the potential concerns caused by mold. Consult with your Real Estate Agent and ask them to call Mold B Gone, 470-545-4467; for a limited time we are offering mold inspections.
If you are selling your home and know that you have mold, had past water leaks that have been fixed and/or experienced a major water event like a flood or sewage backup, you should disclose this information to the realtor listing your home to avoid potential litigation.
In a perfect world, the home seller will disclose this information, but let’s face it, we are not living in a perfect world.
When a home seller wants to sell their home, their objective is to list the property and get the highest price for their home. This is the reason they get the help of a realtor.
The only way home buyers can protect themselves is to take matters into their own hands and make sure that the home they are buying does not have mold or moisture concerns that could lead to mold.
Most home buyers rely on the expertise of their home inspector, but as this article explains, can you really just rely on the opinion of your home inspector? Are they experts in mold? Most home inspectors are not and they rely on the goodwill of referrals from realtors, so there could be an inherent conflict of interest.
This article explains why you should submit an offer to purchase, subject to a home inspection AND a mold inspection. It also reveals the top 3 reasons to have a mold inspection before buying a home.
What Is Mold?
What Is Mold?
A fungus, some molds are visible, in various colors–black, white, green, gray–and will likely give off a smell.
Mold is nature’s recycler. It is everywhere because it has an important purpose in our eco-system: to breakdown and eat dead organic matter.
Mold needs three important ingredients to grow.
First, a food source, dead organic material like wood, paper, carpet, etc.
Second, the ideal temperature of 41 degrees fahrenheit up to 100 degrees fahrenheit.
Third, and most importantly, moisture. Without moisture, mold will not grow.
Why Is Mold A Problem?
Aside from the structural and health concerns (asthma and chronic sinusitis for example) that mold poses, the other major concern is that mold is often out of sight and difficult to see.
Common reasons and areas of the home that mold can be found include:
Around leaking pipes, windows, or roofs. Water provides mold spores the moisture they need to grow.
Basements or other areas of the home that have flooded and were not dried properly.
Common with new construction is the practice of tightly sealing the building, which can trap moisture leading to mold growth.
Poorly ventilated homes that does not enable outside air to circulate in the home.
Some other clues that there could be mold in the home include the following:
Water stains on the walls and ceilings.
Musty odors in areas of the home like the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, and basement, where leaky pipes are commonly found.
Standing water in the basement.
Be particularly careful if you are looking at purchasing a foreclosed home. These homes are susceptible to mold growth because cost saving measures by the banks usually means they will shut down the HVAC system, which is a major concern because it results in high humidity levels and ultimately mold growth.
If you are buying a new home, you may think that mold will not be an issue either. New does not necessarily mean mold for several reasons:
The trend towards building energy efficient homes may save money on heating and cooling. The negative, however, is that by building homes so that they are air tight could result in a lack of proper ventilation, leading to mold growth.
Simple construction errors like installing the vapor barrier when there is moisture present. This error will lead to mold growth because the moisture is trapped.
The time of year the home was built could also be a factor. If the home was built when there was lots of rain and the foundation was not allowed to completely dry before installing the insulation and vapor barrier, then moisture could be trapped behind the walls.
Cost saving construction measures is another factor. Home builders are using more Orient Strand Board (OSB) and less plywood and timber which provided some resistance to mold because these materials are semi-porous. In contrast, OSB and particle board are porous and susceptible to mold growth.
Top 3 Reasons To Have a Mold Inspection Before Buying a Home
Aside from the peace of mind that mold inspection offers, here are the top three reasons why you should consider a mold inspection when you buy a home:
Mold Remediation Can Be Costly!
Real Estate Agents Are Not Mold Experts!
Home Inspectors Are Not Mold Experts!
#1 Mold Remediation Can Be Costly!
#1 Mold Remediation Can Be Costly!
As stated in an earlier article, the cost of mold remediation will depend on three key factors:
1. How much of the area is infected with mold?
2. What kind of materials are infected?
3. How easy is it to access the mold?
On average, the typical household mold removal project will range from $2,000 to $6,000, but can be as high as $30,000 or more depending on the extent of contamination.
Considering the potential cost of mold removal, you are much better off finding out if there is a potential mold problem before purchasing the home. A mold inspection will provide you with the data you require to make an informed decision.
Best case scenario, no mold is found. Worst case scenario, mold is found, but then if you still have your heart set on the home, at least you now have some negotiating power to bring down the price so the home can be properly remediated before you move in.
#2 Real Estate Agents Are Not Mold Experts!
#2 Real Estate Agents Are Not Mold Experts!
The goal of every real estate professional is to list and sell homes. They will only make their commission when the property sells, so they have significant motivation to do what it takes to facilitate the sale. Their end goal is pretty defined: sell the home and collect the commission.
In addition, real estate agents are sales and marketing professionals, they are not construction experts and likely know very little about mold, where it could be found, and why it is a problem.
When listing a home, the agent is relying on the honesty and integrity of the seller who fills in a property disclosure form. If the seller fails to disclose a mold problem that has not been fixed and is trying to hide the mold problem by painting over it or trying to hide it, how is the agent going to know. How will you know?
Buyers should pay close attention to the property disclosure form because it could provide you with clues of potential moisture problems that could cause mold. Some clues include YES answers to these types of questions:
Is the property in a flood hazard area or an inland wetlands area?
Does the home have basement water, seepage, or dampness issues?
Has the home had roof leaks?
Does the home have any rot and water damage problems?
Does the home have any water drainage problems?
Does the home have any sump pump problems?
#3 Home Inspectors Are Not Mold Experts!
#3 Home Inspectors Are Not Mold Experts!
Mold sickness is considered a hidden epidemic for two key reasons. First, most physicians are not trained to identify or treat mold illness. Second, most homes have mold, but the owners do not realize they have mold because it is hidden.
Since some people get sick from mold and other’s do not, a family could have been living in a moldy home and never experienced any major health concerns. In short, a seller of a home could have mold and not know because mold can be hidden underneath carpet, a new paint job, baseboards, behind walls, above ceiling, etc.
Taking this into consideration, when you hire a home inspector, their primary concern is not to identify if the home has mold. Rather, they are inspecting the overall structural integrity of the home, the roof, wiring, bathrooms, plumbing, etc.
A home inspector may point out water stains or moisture concerns in areas of the home, advise you that your basement has an odor, identify water seepage or a leaky roof, but they will not tell you if you have mold, what type of mold you have, and how extensive the mold problem is.
As a final note, like many business owners, home inspectors rely on referrals. Not surprisingly, one of the biggest sources of referrals tends to be real estate agents, whose primary objective is to sell property. Mold concerns present challenges to home sellers and their agents. Could there be a potential conflict of interest?
Mold Inspections Are Important!
The process of buying a home is an exciting process. You have big plans for your new home! You are looking forward to the future in your dream home to raise your family.
But in all the excitement, many home buyers forget about the future problems that mold and past moisture issues could have caused. This fact is ignored because many home buyers think a home inspection is a enough to protect them from future and costly repair problems. This is the #1 mistake home buyers make; home inspectors are not mold experts!
The worst case scenario is you move your family and all your possessions into your new home and eventually discover mold. Now what? You can ignore the problem which could cause future health and structural concerns for your property or you make the financial decision to deal with your mold problem.
Both options can be costly. Ignoring the problem will reduce your property value as the mold eats away at your home, not to mention the potential health issues. Addressing the mold concern can also be costly because proper remediation needs to be done by professionals.
Likely, the last concern you have when you are purchasing a home is the potential problems that mold could cause. Once you find your dream home, you want to submit your offer and close the deal.
However, I caution against being too hasty. In addition to hiring a reputable home inspector, seriously consider the services of a mold inspector.
Mold inspectors are trained to not only identify the moisture issue causing the mold but will also provide you with information on what type of mold is growing in your home and how extensive the problem is.
As mentioned earlier, the best case scenario is that no mold is found in your home.
However, if the mold inspector does find a mold problem it is better to be aware of the problem so that you can adjust your offer, subject to mold removal by the seller along with proper clearance letters. If the seller does not want to cover the cost of the removal, then at least you can factor in the cost of the mold removal into the purchase price.
Bottom line, it is better to be safe and informed, then sorry. The relative cost of a mold inspection is minor compared to the overall investment into the home and the potential costly headaches you will face if you have to pay for mold removal in the future.
As mentioned earlier in this article, consult with your Real Estate Agent and ask them to call Mold B Gone, 470-545-4467; for a limited time we are offering mold inspections.
Got Mold Questions?
We are mold inspection, detection, and removalexperts. Call us, 470-545-4467, or contact us via e-mail. We look forward to serving you! 🙂
Are You Buying or Selling A #Moldy Home? | Atlanta GA | Mold-B-Gone https://t.co/tGIGFvU9jQ Does the home you are buying or selling have #mold? This article lists the top 3 reasons why you should get a mold inspection before buying or selling a home! PLS RT pic.twitter.com/SGO0pWJo1H
Mold B Gone has been serving residents in the Atlanta area for more than a decade. We are experts at mold testing and mold removal, using our proven system to ensure that the indoor ecology of our clients’ properties are healthy.
We are particularly proud to offer specialized mold removal services to individuals that are mold sensitized.
The main purpose of this article is to explain why some people are more susceptible to mold illness and require specialized mold removal services to recover!
What Does Mold Sensitized Mean?
In March of 2015, Wonder Makers Environmental, based in Michigan, launched www.moldsensitized.com with the goal of educating consumers, contractors, and health professionals on the health concerns caused by mold. The website’s goal is to be the ultimate resource of mold information and contains many articles written by the CEO, Michael Pinto.
There is a lack of appreciation in the medical community of the impact mold can have on certain individuals.
Symptoms from mold sickness are broad, leading to multiple mis-diagnosis of patients by many doctors.
Mold sensitized individuals seek help from multiple medical practitioners because their illnesses continue.
The mold sensitized individual eventually learns that mold has been the cause of their sickness.
Because traditional remediation approaches do not adequately address their sensitivities, mold sensitized individuals often are forced to seek alternative shelters.
According to experts featured on the MOLDY documentary, 28 percent of the population have genes that make them highly susceptible to mold-related illness. Putting this into perspective, and based on the population of the metro Atlanta area, there are approximately 1.5 residents susceptible to mold sickness.
According to Dr. Richie Shoemaker, a physician and expert in the field of biotoxin-related illness and author of the book Surviving Mold, the most common condition associated with mold illness is Chronic Inflammatory Syndrome.
What Is Chronic Inflammatory Syndrome?
What Is Chronic Inflammatory Syndrome?
Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), also known as Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), is a combination of illnesses or aliments that are in direct relation with an individual’s place of work or home environment:
An acute and chronic, systemic inflammatory response syndrome acquired following exposure to the interior environment of a water-damaged building with resident toxigenic organisms, including, but not limited to fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes and mycobacteria as well as inflammagens such as endotoxins, beta glucans, hemolysins, proteinases, mannans, c-type lectins and possibly spirocyclic drimanes, plus volatile ogranic compounds.
The term Sick Building Syndrome was first coined by the World Health Organization in the 1980s and it is believed that it is caused by poor air quality caused by water damage.
According to Shoemaker:
This illness happens after exposure to the interior environment of a Water-Damaged Building (WDB). There are many ways buildings become home to a toxic mix of microbes, fragments of microbes, and harmful chemicals. Buildings can host fungi, bacteria, mycobacteria, and actinomycetes as a result of construction defects like inappropriate ventilation; faulty construction of crawl spaces or inadequate building design; flat roofs or fake stucco cladding without adequate caulking; incomplete basements exposed to saturated ground water conditions; or not correcting water leaks.
According to Shoemaker, 25% of the population has a genetic pre-disposition to CIRS; women tend to report more symptoms than men:
Genes made them prime targets for an assault by their own innate immune systems….exposure to the interior environment of a Water-Damaged Building (WDB), [causes] an innate immune response that is going haywire.
Individuals exposed to the toxins in a water damaged building suffer from chronic illness because their bodies are trying to eliminate the foreign substances that stay in the body resulting in chronic inflammation and multiple symptoms. In fact, one of the reasons that it is so difficult to diagnose CIRS is due to the fact that there are 37 symptoms: fatigue; weakness; aches; muscle cramps; unusual pain; ice pick pain; headache; light sensitivity; red eyes; blurred vision; tearing; sinus problems; cough; shortness of breath; abdominal pain; diarrhea; joint pain; morning stiffness; memory issues; focus/concentration issues; word recollection issues; decreased learning of new knowledge; confusion; disorientation; skin sensitivity; mood swings; appetite swings; sweats (especially night sweats); temperature regulation or dysregulation problems; excessive thirst; increased urination; static shocks; numbness; tingling; vertigo; metallic taste; and tremors.
Because of the large number of symptoms and different combinations that a patient can have, CIRS is difficult to diagnose.
Suspect Mold Is Making You Sick? Here Are Some Recommendations!
Suspect Mold Is Making You Sick? Here Are Some Recommendations!
If you have been suffering from ill-health for an extended period of time and the treatments that you are prescribed do not seem to help, then here are some recommended action steps.
Listen to your body. If you are feeling sick and despite under-going multiple treatments still continue to feel sick, then do not give up on trying to find out what the cause is.
Review the experiences of mold survivors to gain greater insight into mold sickness. One of the primary reasons you want to do this is so that you will have some further evidence that you can take to your preferred medical practitioner.
Continue to educate yourself. Because of the lack of knowledge in the mainstream medical community, you need to take a lead role in determining whether mold is making you sick.
Finally, if after all your research, you think that mold is the problem, then verify the existence of mold in your home by investing in a mold inspection and air quality test.
What Should I Do If I Am Diagnosed With Mold Sickness?
What Should I Do If I Am Diagnosed With Mold Sickness?
If you suspect that you are sick because of mold, then the next step is to find a Doctor that has knowledge about mold sickness. To find listings of environmental doctors throughout the world, click here.
Two Steps To Recovery!
Once you are diagnosed, there are two distinct steps to your recovery.
Seek Medical Treatment
Medical treatment is designed to detox your body and allow your immune system to recover and begin to regain its strength. The detox strategy will be prescribed by your physician who will likely recommend that you remove yourself from the property that has been making you sick until it is safe to occupy again.
Remediate Your Home
The process of removing mold from your home and ensuring that you can move back in without experiencing further sickness is the long term solution to health recovery.
In the past, mold sensitized individuals were forced to abandon their primary residences even after remediation because contractors did not understand the Big Picture of how the remediation and cleaning activities have to be coordinated with the medical and building maintenance aspects of the project.
If you want to invest into mold remediation, we recommend that you hire Mold B Gone because we have invested in the remediation for sensitized individuals training. Our team graduated from this course. In addition, Mold B Gone specializes in whole house and room sanitizing to reduce the amount of bacteria and pathogens in your home allowing you to breath easier and healthier.
Five Key Benefits Offered To Mold Sensitized Individuals By Mold B Gone!
Mold B Gone offers mold sensitized individuals these five key benefits:
Commitment to completing the job correctly the first time, with the understanding that our goal is provide you with a safe place to live or work because our team knows that our work practices can impact your health.
Clear understanding that the environmental portion of projects with sensitized individuals has many facets (i.e., source removal, content cleaning, HVAC decontamination, whole structure cleaning, building performance improvements, etc.) and will provide services only in those areas where they are qualified.
Clear understanding that your project requires procedures that are more protective than the current standard of care for the mold remediation industry.
Commitment to specific project endpoints that have been designed for sensitized individuals (endpoints that incorporate the latest health/science data).
Long term cost savings, peace of mind, and less anxiety because we will be familiar with situations like yours and the most effective techniques for this stringent remediation.
Got Mold Questions?
Mold B Gone is here to help and committed to serving mold sensitized individuals. If you suspect that mold is making you sick, call us, 470-545-4467 or contact us via e-mail for further assistance. Our goal is to help you live a healthier and happy life. Most importantly, we truly empathize with your situation and are committed to helping you and guarantee our services.
How Do I Know If I’m Allergic To #Mold? | Atlanta GA | Mold-B-Gone https://t.co/F7BfbV4O2m This article provides information on how to determine if you are mold sensitized explaining why some people are more susceptible to mold illness. PLEASE RETWEET pic.twitter.com/Pha4wjNHgu
One of the challenges facing consumers that have mold is determining how to get it removed properly. Often Mold B Gone is called by consumers who hired a mold removal company that did not do the job properly the first time and actually made the problem worse. Be aware of any mold removal company that is unwilling to provide references, evidence of training, a detailed scope of work, recommends spraying bleach, and does not build containment to prevent cross contamination.
As a consumer, you need to understand that mold removal is a profession. Experienced mold removal contractors, like Mold B Gone, have training and understand that the first step to preventing mold is to first identify the cause of the mold growth, which is inevitably caused by excess moisture. The first step is to fix the moisture issue, then tackle the mold problem. There are 8 specific steps that mold removal professionals follow to ensure that the indoor air quality of your home or business becomes healthy. Mold removal is often called mold remediation because well trained contractors understand and implement the 8 steps necessary to restore the indoor air to healthy levels.
The purpose of this article is to outline why you need to hire a professional when you do find mold that needs to be removed.
Only Hire Professional Contractors To Remove Mold!
Only Hire Professional Contractors To Remove Mold!
One of the biggest concerns that most home owners have pertains to the cost of mold removal.
Because of the expense that mold removal poses, the human tendency is to try to find the best deal. However, be wary of contractors or friends that offer to remove your mold, particularly if they have no training or experience.
Do not fall for the sales pitch or claims that mold can be remediated with ozone or other types of machines that kill mold.
Contractors that offer these types of solutions are not professionals because they are just trying to kill the mold, which as we explained in a previous article, is not a proper method for long term mold removal.
Get Educated About Mold!
One of the reasons we post articles about mold is to educate our readers; an informed consumer is able to make better choices.
Mold Needs Moisture!
Before addressing any mold problem, the most important concern is to first find the moisture problem that is causing the mold to grow in the first place.
Mold needs three ingredients.
First, a food source. Most homes present an ample food source for mold because they are made of dead material that mold loves to eat: high cellulose materials such as paper and wood, drywall, wallpaper, carpet, ceiling tiles, dust, and dirt.
Second, the right climate: mold flourishes when the temperature ranges from 41 degrees fahrenheit up to 100 degrees fahrenheit.
Third, and most importantly, a moisture source. Without moisture, mold can not thrive and grow. If you smell or see mold, then you have a problem because there is a moisture source in your home. Moisture is usually caused by leaks in pipes and/or the roof, sewer backups, flooding, condensation, etc.
Mold Removal Is Not Easy!
Any contractor that says there is an easy fix for mold removal, does not understand the biology of mold and does not realize that mold is designed to consume dead organic material and is an active part of our eco-system.
Unfortunately, the good that mold does by recycling dead material in our environment can cause significant harm when it grows indoors. First, mold can make you sick, causing asthma, sinusitis, and other health conditions. Second, as the mold eats away at your property, it will cause the wood to rot and eventually lead to structural integrity issues, ultimately reducing the value of the home.
Mold is everywhere because it is a living fungi. The survival mechanism of mold is to disperse spores and find more areas to grow on and populate itself. When you have mold inside of your home, understand that the number one concern of mold remediation professionals is to prevent the mold from spreading, ie. to contain it and prevent cross-contamination. Then, once the containment is set up, the process of addressing the mold problem can begin.
Get YES Answers To These 10 Questions Before Hiring A Contractor!
Get YES Answers To These 10 Questions Before Hiring A Contractor!
Before you hire any contractor to remediate the mold in your property, be sure to consider the following questions:
Is the contractor prepared to give you a written contract/change order?
Is the contractor prepared to provide you with a remediation plan?
Is the contractor prepared to provide you with a post-remediation report?
Is the contractor prepared to recommend independent indoor environmental professionals that can provide you with a post-remediation verification report? This is very important because this report determines whether or not the remediation has been successful.
Does the contractor set up containment to prevent cross contamination?
Does the contractor use negative air machines and air scrubbers to clean the air?
Is the contractor willing to provide you with referrals and their contact details?
Does the contractor use DOP (Dispersed Oil Particulate) tested equipment which is a process that tests the integrity of the HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters used?
If you get NO answers to any of the above questions, then re-consider hiring this contractor.
Mold Remediation Professionals Are Building Doctors!
When you are sick, you go to a Doctor because you want the best treatment possible to get healthy.
Similarly, if you have mold, hire a mold remediation professional because they are Building Doctors, whose objective is to cure the property of toxic mold so you can live a better, healthier life.
Like health care professionals, mold remediation specialists take specialized courses and training to ensure that they can properly eliminate the mold problems of their customers.
To ensure a long term fix hire a mold remediation professional that uses the following 8 Step Mold Remediation Process.
8 Step Mold Remediation Process!
8 Step Mold Remediation Process!
Step 1: Assess The Cause of The Contamination
During the mold inspection, the professional consultant will identify the source of the water infiltration that is causing the mold contamination.
During this step, the consultant will also identify the extent of the mold growth to ensure that all areas of growth can be addressed.
The next step is to create a work plan, also known as a scope of work.
It is important that if the mold inspector you hire to do the initial investigation also does the remediation work, then a Third Party should be hired to do post-remediation verification, which is step 8 in the process.
Step 2: Identify the Species of the Mold
During the mold inspection, samples of the mold will be taken using swab or tape samples. Air quality tests may also be done. The samples are then sent to an accredited laboratory which will provide a report outlining what species of mold are present.
This report is important for three key reasons:
This report is important because it helps the mold remediation professional determine the hazard level. Some mold species, like stachybotrys, pose greater hazards and may require additional safety procedures to protect the occupants of the property.
Identifying the species also helps determine the most cost effective method to resolve the mold problem.
Identifying the species can also help health care professionals determine if health concerns may be related to the mold contamination.
Step 3: Scope of Work
Once the investigation is complete, the remediation plan / scope of work can be completed.
This step is important because it addresses what caused the mold and all of the safety protocols required for the remediation to be successful.
Step 4: Containment, Decontamination Chambers & Negative Air
The area is contained and negative air pressures are set and regularly monitored to prevent cross contamination of mold spores and mycotoxins to other areas of the home.
During the mold removal and remediation process mold spores become disrupted meaning spore counts can increase 10 to 100 times.
Proper procedures, containment and HEPA filtration equipment are required to prevent cross contamination.
Once the containment and decontamination chamber is set up, and required negative air pressure levels are achieved the mold is removed.
Mold damaged materials such as drywall, carpet, underlay, and other porous materials are removed and disposed.
Non-porous and some semi-porous materials can be cleaned and decontaminated.
Damaged or moldy materials that are removed are then bagged or sealed with plastic sheathing before removal from the containment to prevent cross contamination.
Step 6: Odor Removal
Mold contamination can create offensive odors such as a musty basement smell.
Carbon filters are utilized to assist in the elimination of odors from the area during the remediation process.
Specialized treatments and air cleaners may be required to ensure odors do not return in the future.
Step 7: Cleaning, HEPA Vacuuming & Air Scrubbing
Once the mold contaminated materials are removed, the area must be thoroughly cleaned using antimicrobial treatments on hard surfaces and HEPA vacuuming on the porous surfaces to remove the residual mold spores.
The air must also be scrubbed and purified to remove mold spores and mycotoxins using approved DOP tested HEPA air scrubbing equipment.
Step 8: Post Remediation Verification
Post remediation verification must be conducted by an approved third party to ensure that the environment has been brought back to a normal fungal ecology suitable for occupancy.
The final clearance investigation must include a visual inspection using specialized instrumentation and a full range of air quality and surface sampling.
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A food source which includes high cellulose content materials such as paper and wood. Other sources of food include drywall, wallpaper, carpet, ceiling tiles, dust, and dirt.
The ideal temperature of 5 degrees to 38 degrees which provides ideal growing conditions for mold.
Most importantly, water and moisture is the essential ingredient required by mold to grow which can be provided by leaking pipes, roofs and ceiling, sewer backups, floods, and condensation
The core problem with mold is that it will keep growing until it is removed. This is a concern because, on average, we spend 90% of our time indoors which can cause health issues for many plus structural issues for the property if the mold is not contained and removed.
The purpose of this article is to provide you with information to help you determine if you have a mold problem and explain what you should and should not do if you do find mold.
Where Should I Look For Mold?
Where Should I Look For Mold?
One of the first signs that you have a mold problem will be a “musty” or “mildewy” odor. The next step is to determine where the smell is coming from. The seven areas listed below are some of the most common areas in a home where you will find mold. Other visual clues to look for during your investigation of these areas include: buckled floorboards, discolored carpet, new water stains on the ceiling or wall, and/or actual visual growth such as black specs.
Mold Area 1: Bathrooms and Kitchens
The most common area where you will find mold is under the sinks because of leaks.
Mold Area 2: Appliances
Another potential source of leaks are your refrigerator, dishwasher, and washing machines. Check behind and under the appliances for mold.
Mold Area 3: Roof
If you notice water stains on the ceilings, then your roof could be leaking which will cause mold if the leak is not repaired.
Mold Area 4: Windows
If you have condensation in the home, you will likely find mold on the window sills and around the windows.
Mold Area 5: Basement
If there is high humidity in your home, then check your basement and other areas of the home for mold.
Mold Area 6: Closets
Leaky pipes, high humidity, and other sources of moisture can result in hidden mold in your closets. If there are boxes in the closet, move them and check the walls and floor for mold.
Mold Area 7: Crawl Spaces
Moisture in your crawl space will cause mold to grow.
I Got Mold! What Should I Do?
I Got Mold! What Should I Do?
Two key facts to take into consideration if you think you have mold.
Mold Fact 1: Mold Spreads By Releasing Spores
If you find mold, DO NOT disturb the material. Even if you have an isolated area of mold growth, disturbing the area could potentially worsen the mold problem because the spores will become airborne and seek out other areas in the home to grow. In short, your primary objective is to contain the area where mold is growing and prevent it from spreading.
Mold Fact 2: Some Molds Are Toxic
Another key concern is determining what type of mold is growing. Some molds, like Aspergillus and Stachybotrys, are toxic and can cause many health issues. Molds also produce myctoxins which studies have shown can depress the immune system, leading to many illnesses.
What You Should Not Do If You Got Mold!
We do not recommend removing mold without first consulting a trained professional. If you think you have mold, here are 5 things you SHOULD NOT DO if you have a mold problem:
1. DO NOT Clean Mold With a Normal Vacuum!
Mold spores are extremely small and pass through a normal vacuum filter. Vacuuming, will simply spread the spores! Mold remediation professionals use HEPA vacuums because the filters trap the mold spores preventing cross contamination.
2. DO NOT Remove Mold Contaminated Materials Without Proper Containment!
Mold remediation professionals set up containment barriers to prevent mold from spreading.
3. DO NOT Clean Mold With Bleach!
Bleach is great for cleaning bacteria and viruses, but does not work on mold and may in fact make the situation worse because the simple act of applying bleach creates moisture which mold needs to thrive and grow.
4. DO NOT Remove Mold Contaminated Materials Without Wearing Personal Protective Equipment!
Some molds can be toxic. This is the reason that mold remediation professionals wear safety equipment to prevent mold spores from entering the lungs and touching the skin.
5. DO NOT Ignore or Neglect Your Mold Issue!
In addition to the health issues that mold growth may cause, keep in mind that mold is like a parasite that will keep feeding. The key to stopping mold growth is to address and fix the causes of moisture and then remove the mold so that it will not continue to spread and feed on the home, thereby impacting the structural integrity and long term value of the property.
What You Should Do If You Got Mold!
If you discover mold in your home or business, just remember that some molds can be toxic and that it is best not to disturb the mold which could inadvertently release spores in the air and create even more problems.
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