This time of year in the early can remind us of the storms, hurricanes, flooding, etc when mold fungi and/or bacteria can begin to grow. The temperature combined with high relative humidity are ripe for growth in this atmosphere. It is imperative to always stop the source of water intrusion such as leaks, flooding, and controlling moisture to help combat microbiological growth. The longer water stands in a basement or in affected areas of ceilings, wallboard, etc. , it is an opening for mold contamination. The EPA states, "It is best to get to the water and leaks within a 24 to 48 hour time frame to help to prevent growth. If growth has occurred it is best to call in a professional who can conduct water and mold damage, such as providing mold and moisture assessments and detection. A few tips to remember this time of year is to keep gutters clean and free of leaves and debris. Keep downspout drains with extensions away from the foundation. Consider adding window plastic bubbles to keep snow and ice out of the window wells during the winter months.
If you do have a mold issue make sure the company you are calling specializes in Mold. To often I come across inspections that were done by contractors or handymen with out enough knowledge of mold contamination and they create a bigger problem.

Reasons To Test for Mold

 

There are many valid and valuable reasons to perform mold testing. Here are just a few reasons:

• 1. To establish a baseline for future testing. This allows a mold professional to track and evaluate the progress of mold abatement activities. If the current levels are unknown, it is difficult to establish that progress has been made.
• 2. To establish the presence of mold and the justification for remediation. Many remediators and insurance companies will not authorize or undertake mold remediation if the presence of mold growth is not scientifically demonstrated.
• 3. To set the parameters for the remediation. Many remediation companies will not initiate an abatement project without the input of a testing company to define the boundaries of the affected area needing remediation.
• 4. To identify the types of mold present, i.e. "natural" or "toxic". In many cases, residents are interested in the types of mold present and the possible relation to medical symptoms they may be experiencing. Certain mold species may cause serious illness in the elderly, or in infants; people who have weak immune systems due to chemotherapy or AIDS. Testing can assure the indoor environment is free of mold species that may cause infection in susceptible persons.
• 5. To find out the levels present. Although mold is mold, and its presence calls for remediation, it is useful to know if the ambient airborne levels are in a range of thousands, or hundreds of thousands. For example, this may affect decisions regarding the timeliness of remediation, and the continued occupancy of the premises.
• 6. To find "hidden mold". Mold growth may often not be visible in a house, but known water intrusion or a moldy odor provides cause for concern. Testing will identify if there is a mold problem, even when there is no visible mold growth.
• 7. To "clear" a remediation, that is, to show that all mold is gone after remediation. Often, mold remediation will miss a mold-contaminated area. Testing of the air in the contained work area will assure that the levels inside the work area are reduced to ambient levels. This also provides documentation for future real estate transfers that the mold was properly and effectively removed.
• 8. To "establish" the lack of mold, as in a home purchase. Sometimes a homebuyer will have concerns about mold when purchasing a new home. This may be as a result of a bad experience with mold in their previous residence. Mold testing can provide the peace of mind that there are no problems with elevated airborne mold in the new house.
• 9. To show that a flood has not yet created mold growth. Floods in homes and offices can occur due to breaks in plumbing lines, or failure of plumbing fixtures. After the cleanup and drying, it is useful to test for mold to assure occupants that mold has not grown as a result of the flooding.
• 10. To support a legal case. A lawyer or plaintiff usually needs to have objective evidence of the presence or absence of mold and mold exposure to support a legal action. Testing can show scientifically that mold was, or was not, present.

Myths and Facts About Black Mold

 

Myth #1: There is only one type of black mold, and it’s very bad.

Fact: In actuality, there are a lot of moulds that look black. The type of black mold that made the news years ago, associated with a lot of ill health effects, was called Stachybotrys (pronounced ‘stack-ee-bot-riss’). However, there are a ton of other molds that look black, and are fairly common and generally not of concern. The take-home message here is that not all black molds are ‘bad’.

Leaking roofs can cause major problems

 

Leaking roofs can cause major problems

 

                                                 

    

If your home has a leaky roof, it can open the door to a number of problems inside a home.One of the most hazardous side effects of this moisture accumulation is the growth of mold. When mold takes root inside a home, it can cause a number of serious health problems.

Roof leaks can be very noticeable as dark streaks on the boards that form the underside of the roof frame. They can be attributed to multiple causes. Leaks can start when shingles wear out with age and tear or curl up at the corners. Cracks in the sealing around chimneys or damaged flashing covering seams in the roof can also be culprits.

Replacing old roofing material with new material and fixing any cracks or holes can go a long way to stopping existing leaks and preventing new ones from springing up. An experienced licensed professional roofer can help homeowners to get the job done right.

Mold can forms if moisture accumulates in a spot over a period of time. It can turn up virtually anywhere inside your house where moisture is present including wood, paper and carpet.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to mold can cause or aggravate serious health problems such as allergies, asthma and other respiratory ailments. The EPA recommends that homeowners enact several moisture control measures to curtail the presence of mold in their homes.

These moisture control measures include:

• Fix the source of leaks and seepage inside and outside the home.
• Cover all dirt in crawlspaces with a plastic covering.
• Use kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans to vent moisture outside.
• Run dehumidifiers and air conditioners to reduce moisture in the air.

Excess moisture can not only form mold, but it can cause structural damage to the walls, floors and roof of a home if nothing is done to stop it from collecting.
If the accumulation of mold is severe, it is a good idea for a homeowner to hire a professional Certified Mold Inspection or Remediation company to Remediate the mold. Make sure the company you contact specializes in Mold to prevent cross contamination. After the remediation is complete you will want to have a clearance test done by a 3rd party testing company to make sure that there are no longer any mold spores in the air.

 How to combat winter allergies

Winter months can be brutal for people sensitive to mold spores and dust mites, but help is at hand.

Dr. William Reisacher, director of The Allergy Center in the Department of Otolaryngology (head and neck surgery) at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center and Dr. Rachel Miller, director of allergy and immunology at NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, have offered ten simple tricks to keep mold and dust mites at bay and make the winter months more bearable for indoor allergy sufferers:


1.Turn on the exhaust fan when showering or cooking to remove excess humidity and odours.

2. Clean your carpets with a HEPA vacuum to decrease dust mites and pet allergen levels.

3. Wash your hands after playing with the family pet and avoid touching your face to decrease exposure to common winter viruses.

4. Launder your bed linens and pajamas in hot water (above 130 degrees) to kill dust mites.

5. Treat your bedroom as the allergy "safe haven" of your home because this is where you may spend most of your time. Your bedroom should have the fewest allergy triggers so keep pets, carpets, rugs and plants out of this room to avoid dust mites and mold from decaying plants. You may also want to place an allergenic barrier around your pillows and mattress to create a barrier between dust mites and your nose.

6. Spray your live Christmas tree with a garden hose before setting it up and remove all dust from your holiday decorations.

7.Install high-efficiency furnace filters: they capture 30 times more allergens, and make sure your furnace fan is always on.

8. Keep your indoor humidity level between 30-40 percent, with the help of a humidifier or dehumidifier, to help prevent the growth of mold and mites.

9. Change the water and filters in your humidifier according to manufacturer recommendations to avoid contamination by mold and bacteria.

10. Perform an indoor and outdoor survey of the house every month to look for visible mold and identify areas that are at high-risk for mold formation, such as a pile of firewood close to the house or an area of the basement with a musty odor.

9 Simple Steps to help you Identify Molds

9 Simple Steps to Identify Molds

Exposure to molds (allergen) can cause cold-like symptoms, watery eyes, sore throat, wheezing and dizziness, and trigger asthma attacks.
Mold is ubiquitous (common) in all continents across the globe. Whe
n exposed to mold the majority of the population can handle low-level exposure, but the problem with mold is that it multiplies exponentially when it has access to moisture and organic substrates like building materials, food, soil, wood, paper, leaves and fabric. Exposure to molds (allergen) can cause cold-like symptoms, watery eyes, sore throat, wheezing and dizziness, and trigger asthma attacks.

Mold spores are microscopic in nature (typically less than 5 microns) and can easily be airborne and breathed into our lungs. Exposure to high spore levels can cause the development of an allergy to mold. If there is a musty, earthy smell, the mold problem should be addressed. When a musty odor is noticed it is typically the result of high exposure to microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC) off-gassing produced by the molds. The odors are chemicals released from the molds during some parts of the mold's growth cycle.

If you have a mold allergy, your immune system overreacts when you breathe in mold spores. The allergic reaction triggers a cascade of reactions that lead to allergy symptoms. Like other allergies, a mold allergy can make you cough, make your eyes itch and cause other symptoms that make you miserable. In some people, mold allergy is linked to asthma and exposure causes restricted breathing and other airway symptoms.

If you have a mold allergy, the best defense is to reduce your exposure to the types of mold that cause your reaction.

The following steps may help to identify molds:

1. Check for patches that appear fuzzy, or cotton-like. Many household mold looks like this. If mold-like conditions appear on walls or hard surface, place a flashlight against the surface. If filamentous (long visible chains, threads or filaments) structures appear in the shadow of the light, most likely mold is present.

2. Identify mold by the discolorations. Mold comes in almost all colors of the rainbow, including brown, gray, black, green, yellow, white and orange.

3. Use your nose to find mold. Household mold by its musty or earthy smell.

4. Look for mold in places where you've had any water damage. Leaking roofs, leaky windows, plumbing leaks and flooding leave household areas ripe for mold growth. Check ceilings and carpets.

5. Know that the humidifiers and vaporizers you use for your health are prime places for mold growth due to the high level of humidity. Poorly vented bathrooms may contain mold fed from the steam from showers. Plumbing leaks in interstitial walls can also be problematic.

6. Understand that mold loves damp basements and garages. And if you store books, clothing, drywall, cardboard or wood in these locations (and who doesn't?), then mold has a ready food source to grow on.

7. Inspect you air handling system for visual mold like conditions. Check the evaporator coil, blower assembly, drain pan, wetted insulation liner, etc… Look for primary or secondary drain pan leaks.

8. Play detective and identify mold in these hiding places: under the kitchen sink, air ducts, entryways and refrigerator seals.

9. If you are unsure contact a professional with experience in the mold industry.

www.superiormoldtesting.com

How do appraisers deal with “mold” situations?

by Ryan Lundquist on July 12th, 2012

If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck and walks like a duck, it’s a….. If only it were that easy when identifying mold. Since appraisers are usually not mold specialists, we need to be careful when calling something mold or not. This is because sometimes excessive moisture issues can be easily cured, but other times it can be a toxic situation and expensive to handle properly. Since appraisers really aren’t qualified to analyze the difference, it’s best to handle the situation carefully.
Would this laundry room and bedroom scare you off from making a purchase?

What do appraisers say in appraisal reports for properties like this?
First off, we ought not call something “mold” until we get clarification from a licensed mold professional, so appraisers often describe something like this as “an unknown blackish-greenish substance”. Once we do find out what the substance is, then we can better analyze the impact on value depending on cost-to-cure and the reaction in the marketplace to such a substance. After all, there is a huge difference between needing to spend a few hundred dollars to cure a moisture problem and dealing with toxic mold (see Wikipedia: Mold Health Issues).

Can’t the appraiser simply ignore the issue?
The Fannie Mae appraisal report form (1004) asks appraisers to identify any physical deficiencies or adverse conditions that might affect the livability, soundness or structural integrity of a property. The blackish-greenish substance in the photos above might potentially impact livability, so the appraiser should absolutely make note of that (especially for the first two photos). But the appraiser can just not take photos, right? Even if the appraiser doesn’t take photos, the appraiser should describe the issue in the report. A lack of photos doesn’t make the problem go away.
Here is an example of what I might say about the third photo above:

“There is an unknown blackish-greenish substance on the ceiling of the garage (see photo). The Listing Agent states there was a roof leak in the garage. It is not known to the appraiser what this substance is since inspecting this substance is outside of the scope of the appraiser’s expertise. The appraiser recommends an inspection by a qualified professional and reserves the right to adapt the opinion of value based upon new information.”

It’s not my job to assume:
 A statement like this highlights the issue and calls for further investigation by my client. Honestly, it looks like a minor issue to me, but you’ll notice I don’t assume it is ”no biggie.” I don’t identify the cause of the problem or the exact remedy either. My job is to simply explain what I saw and then leave the diagnosis and remedy to other qualified professionals. When I encounter an “unknown blackish substance” I make the appraised value in the report “subject to” further inspection. That way when the inspection report comes back, I can make an informed decision on how to proceed. It could be a quick fix for a few hundred dollars or there could be a much bigger issue if the unknown substance is actually the “bad stuff”.
NOTE: If the substance situation was more extensive like the first two photos, after buying a space suit to inspect the property (kidding… sort of), I’d ask my client for a mold inspection and contractor’s bid for a cost-to-cure before completing the appraisal.


By Sacramento Appraisal Blog

For more information visit http://sacramentoappraisalblog.com/2012/07/12/how-do-appraisers-deal-with-mold-situations/

If I can’t see the mold, how do the professionals?

Mold inspection and/or remediation professionals utilize special moisture detecting equipment to evaluate mold infestation in your home. The most common mold remediation equipment include...s borescopes and moisture meters. Both of these devices are used to find the hidden mold in your home by testing moisture content in certain areas. Remember that mold remediation is no different than any other profession. A specialist is needed to properly diagnose a situation, so do not settle for less than the best. Ask alot of questions and make sure they are a professional in the trade not just a Jack of all trades master of none.

If you recognize any visible signs of mold in your home, the best thing you can do for your home and your family is to contact a certified mold inspection company and/or mold remediation company.

Relative Humidity and your Home

We know that air enters the home through the lower levels, moves upwards through the home, and exits through the upper levels.

What happens if outside air is being pulled into the basement or crawl space t...hrough vents or other openings?

Basements and crawl spaces are naturally cooled by the earth around them which keeps a fairly constant temperature year-round. Any air that enters that space from outside will be cooled as well.

Imagine this: It's an 80F day with 80% relative humidity.

The higher the relative humidity number is, the closer the air is to becoming "full" of water. Warm air holds the most water and as it cools and "shrinks", it's able to hold less water. The relative humidity number shows how much humidity is in the air, relative to how much it can hold. Air at 80% relative humidity is 80% "full" of water. When the humidity rises above 100% outside, it rains.

Picture that humid air moving into your crawl space or basement. This cool, underground space drops the temperature of the air to 68F. Because of this, the air's relative humidity goes up, even if no new water is added to the air. For every 1F the temperature drops, the relative humidity of the air will rise by 2.2%.

In this case, the relative humidity will rise by 26.4%. Add the 80% humidity you already had, and you have 106.4% relative humidity. However, when the humidity reaches 100%, the air can hold no more water! So this extra humidity is dropped from the air as condensation, which is deposited on cool surfaces in the space, such as wood, metal or concrete.

Mold Spore and your Home

Mold needs moisture to survive, and it draws this humidity from the air around it. As the relative humidity in your basement or crawl space rises to 60% or higher, mold will live, thrive, and survive in the space.
...
As mold reproduces, it releases millions of allergenic mold spores into the air. In fact, The Journal of Property Management's research shows that a single square inch of drywall can contain as much as ten million spores!

Time Magazine reports that there can be hundreds of thousands of mold spores in a single cubic meter of air, and a person inhales 10-12 cubic meters of air each day.

Because of the stack effect, these mold spores will not be confined to your basement or crawl space. As air moves up from these spaces into your home, it will bring mold spores and humidity along with it. If you notice that you suffer from symptoms such as a runny nose, watery eyes, mild allergic reactions, a scratchy throat, fatigue, or headaches at home that seem to disappear once you leave the building, mold allergens may be the culprit.

Of course, mold and rot will also wreak havoc on your home. Damaged wood, structural issues, and ruined personal property are all consequences of mold, mildew, rot & humidity in a basement or crawl space.

Did you know that MAY is Asthma Awareness Month?

During May, Asthma Awareness Month, take the time to learn how to control your asthma! Check out EPA's asthma related resources, publications, fact sheets and reports. You'll find information for parents, caregivers, kids and more.

Different types of Asthma.....

ALLERGIC ASTHMA

Allergic asthma is triggered by an allergic reaction to allergens such as pollen or pet dander. If you have allergic asthma, you probably have a personal and/or family history of allergies, such as allergic rhinitis or hay fever, and/or eczema (a skin problem resulting in itching, a red rash, and sometimes small blisters).
Keep in mind that one form of allergic asthma is seasonal asthma, which usually affects people in the spring or early autumn. For example, you may find that your asthma is worse in the spring when there is an increase in flowering plants, while others find their asthma is worse in the late summer or early fall due to ragweed or mold from leaves on trees.
Other triggers for allergic asthma include respiratory infections such as the common cold, the flu, or a sinus infection, as well as exercise, cold air, sudden changes in air temperature, and even gastroesophageal reflux (heartburn).

NONALLERGIC ASTHMA

Your asthma may be triggered or made worse by one or more nonallergic asthma triggers, including substances (irritants) in the air, such as tobacco smoke, wood smoke, room deodorizers, pine odors, fresh paint, household cleaning products, cooking odors, perfumes, and outdoor air pollution. People with nonallergic asthma may have the same symptoms as those with allergic asthma, but they are not bothered by allergens from the natural world like pollen or mold.
Other triggers for nonallergic asthma include respiratory infections, such as the common cold, the flu, or a sinus infection, as well as exercise, cold air, sudden changes in air temperature, and even gastroesophageal reflux (heartburn).

NOCTURNAL ASTHMA

Nocturnal asthma refers to asthma symptoms that seem worse in the middle of the night, typically between 2AM and 4AM. Interestingly, nocturnal asthma can affect someone with any type of asthma.
Factors that can cause your asthma symptoms to worsen at night may include sinus infections or postnasal drip caused by allergens such as dust mites or pet dander. Your body clock may also play some role. The body makes adrenaline and corticosteroids, which protect against asthma. Levels of these two substances are lowest between midnight and 4AM, making it more likely you will experience symptoms during these times.

ASTHMA IN PREGNANCY

Among pregnant patients who have asthma, one-third will experience improvement in their asthma, one-third will remain stable, and one-third will experience worsening of their asthma. Improved asthma control during pregnancy is associated with lower rates of pregnancy-related complications. So if you have asthma and are pregnant, talk to your doctor about what you might expect and what you can do about your asthma symptoms.

OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA

Occupational asthma refers to asthma that is newly diagnosed and caused by exposure to a substance (chemicals or animal proteins, for example) in the workplace. If you can reduce your exposure to these triggers, you may be able to reduce your asthma symptoms. Keep in mind that occupational asthma does not refer to people already diagnosed with asthma who are more prone to flare-ups when exposed to irritant dusts or fumes in their work environment.

‎10 Mold Prevention Tips:

‎10 Mold Prevention Tips:


1). Make sure you sprinklers are not getting the sides of your home wet. Replace spray types with bubbler type if with in 3 ft. of your home. Make sure you are not over watering.

... 2). Regularly check under sinks, toilets and behind the refrigerator if it has an ice maker.

3). If you have a flood, get it dried out immediately, don’t hesitate to call in a specialist with dehumidifiers not just fans.

4). Regularly check the evaporation drain tube for your HVAC system, these can put out 3 or more gallons of water a day and if it gets plugged up it can drain directly into your home.

5). Change the HVAC filter every 3 months.

6). Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.

7). Open a window in the bathroom when showering and run the exhaust fan during and after showering to remove all steam.

8). Make sure all planters, slabs and walkways are below slab and sloped away from the home.

9). Do not have plants growing on or very close to the walls of the home.

Are all Black Molds Toxic?

Are all Black Molds Toxic?

Coloration and toxicity are two separate trends in mold. The coloration of mold is governed by pigmentation, physiological activity and genetics of the organism. The

Tampa 2/14/2012 04:16 PM GMT (TransWorldNews)

Tampa, FL -- Mold has become an issue of increasing concern to the general population as lawsuits, media attention and misinformation fuel fires of hysteria.  To further complicate matters, a lack of education and scientific knowledge leads the layperson to correlate the presence of “black mold” with various ailments attributed to “toxic molds”.  In order to dispel mold myths and provide professional assistance to the average person concerned about mold contamination, it is critical to understand the complex nature of mold.

Mold Defined: Scientifically, mold is visual growth produced on substratum and/or on host by a group of filamentous fungi (fungi with true mycelium). Taxonomically, Fungi are a group of Eukaryotic organisms placed under the lower group of the plant kingdom. These organisms are devoid of chlorophyll and their cell wall is made up of chitin and glucans. They are heterotropts. It may be saprophytic, parasitic or both or may be living symbiotically with other living organisms. Their role in the ecological system is very vital and important as decomposers.

Mold Coloration: Coloration and toxicity are two separate trends in mold. The coloration of mold is governed by pigmentation, physiological activity and genetics of the organism. The production of toxins is highly influenced by the nature of metabolites produced by the mold and others factors including environmental conditions. Hence, the toxicity of the mold should not compare directly with the color ofthe microorganism.

Mold Toxicity: Naturally occurring molds may also be toxic in nature. Toxic molds are capable to secrete a number of toxic chemicals that are harmful to living entities.  Mycotoxins, glucans and microbiological volatile organic compounds (MVOC) are amongst the most prominent toxic substances produced by mold and other fungi. The strength of these toxins, however, is greatly varies depending upon the species/strain of microorganisms.  There is no proven or documented record that the toxicity of these chemical compounds is related to the color of the organism. In general, “black mold” refers to all molds that are black in color, but not all the black molds are toxic.  Nigrospora, for example, is a black mold but there is no sufficient evidence that it is toxic to humans or other living organisms.

It is also important to note that a number of molds not black in color are capable of releasing mycotoxins that initiating diseases or allergenic responses in susceptible individuals. Blastomyces, Candida, Emmonsia, Ganoderma, Microsporum, Mucor, Rhizopous and Trichophyton etc. are some common molds that cause a number of health and hygiene problems but are not black in color.  The entire Penicillium group is associated with a number of indoor air problems but not black in color. Aspergillus is a major group of toxic molds but many species of Aspergillus are not black (i.e. A. candidus) however, some species of Aspergillus is black in appearance morphologically (example: Aspergillus niger)

Conclusion:

It is not appropriate to refer to all “black mold” as a “toxic mold”.  As we have discussed, not all black molds are neither all-toxic molds are black in color.  Misinformation on toxic mold is rampant.  It is impossible to grossly observe a mold and determine its toxicity by its pigmentation.  The best way to identify the type of mold present in an environment is to take a direct surface or air sample and have it analyized for further analysis and evaluation. The laboratory report helps in the determination of presence of mold and its toxic nature.