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.
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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.