Why You Need A Mold Inspection After A Flood

Water is one of the most amazing materials on the planet, and it has thousands of tremendous benefits. However, when water invades our home and or businesses, it can become a nightmare for any homeowner and/or business owner. An unfortunate event like flooding in your home or business can create a host of endless problems that can be extremely difficult to handle. The property damage that may come as a result of a flood can be devastating. 

A mold inspection can help set you on the right path to recovery.

In addition to property damage, we also need to be concerned with other threats that may challenge our quality of life. One of those threats you should consider after your home has been flooded with water is the possibility of mold.

Mold can give most people an uneasy feeling because it is usually associated with negative consequences. Once your home has been infiltrated with water, choosing a dedicated professional to conduct mold testing in your home is a necessity. Here are five good reasons why you need to have your home tested for mold as soon as possible. 

A Mold Inspection Can Give You Important Information

Did you know that a professional mold company can perform mold tests and mold inspections after a flood? The results can be very enlightening to help you determine the next course of action to get your home back to normal.

 Mold can pose a serious threat to your family’s health, so understanding the proper way to treat it is important.

You may be asking yourself why do you need a mold testing and inspection company when you could just go straight to a company to remove the mold.

There are several reasons to have a mold inspection, and mold testing, performed before you even consider calling a mold removal and remediation company. To determine areas that may be affected, potential cross contamination, once you know what you could potentially be exposed to you can take it to your doctor to determine how it may affect you.

Mold Can Do Serious Damage To Your Health

Mold can literally be found anywhere, and it can be abundant in a warm, moist environment. This is why your home is extremely susceptible to mold after a flood occurs. If you have severe flooding, mold can spread quite quickly and be an immediate danger to your family.

Mold shouldn’t be taken lightly because it can wreak havoc on your health. Mold is sometimes difficult to identify, so you may be getting exposed without even realizing it.

 A professional mold inspection should be completed as soon as possible if your home has experienced water damage.

Mold can be very Difficult To Get Rid Of

You have had the devastating impact of a flood, and you attempt to rebuild your life shortly afterwards. Many homeowners make the mistake of thinking that they are safe from mold formation after a flood because they don’t see it. This couldn’t be any further from the truth.

Mold can literally be found anywhere throughout our homes even in the tiniest places like air ducts. It may be weeks or even months for a property owner to realize that they have had mold present in the home. Realizing that your home is at risk quite quickly is important in preventing mold formation.

Once mold is in your home, it becomes extremely difficult to remove. One of the best ways to prevent a mold from taking over is to have a reputable company perform a mold test and full home mold inspection as soon as possible following a flood.

Identifying the smallest units of mold in the beginning stages can only be discovered with expert knowledge and equipment. Finding the problem early will save you financially in the long run.

A Mold Inspection Can Save Money

One of the major concerns that homeowners will have after a flood is getting assistance from their insurance company. This can truly be an overwhelming, stressful time for many people who may have lost everything that they own.

While many don’t want to add anything else to their plate after a flood, it is imperative that you get the mold testing done immediately. 

Here’s why: the insurance. Did you know that many flood insurance policies won’t pay claims if you are making one weeks or months after an incident?

As mentioned earlier, it may take weeks or even months following a flood for a mold colony to appear visually in your home. If you didn’t use a professional mold company to test and inspect for mold from the beginning, you could be out of luck for making any type of insurance claim.

Mold can be difficult to spot, but it will also be more money out of your pocket if you wait until the problem gets worse.

Mold Will Destroy Your Home

Even if you don’t have catastrophic damage from the flooding in your home, mold can create further damage that can wreak havoc.

You have enough to be concerned about once your home has been damaged by water. The last thing you want to deal with is adding more money to your costs to rebuild your home. Putting off having your home tested and inspected for mold by a professional could cost you more money in damage repairs to your home.

Why You Need To Hire A Professional Company

Knowing how to handle mold is not the easiest task in the world. Mold can be dangerous, and it can create myriad different financial concerns if you don’t get it handled quickly.

A flood can truly be a stressful time for anyone, but we go the extra mile to answer all of your questions. Contact us today for superior mold inspections in your local area. We can arrive to your home or business quickly, and we will help you resolve the situation as quickly as possible.



What To Do About Mold In Your Home

If you recently found mold in your home, you are probably searching the internet to figure out what to do. Don’t panic, it may take some time but you will get past this. The key is to educate yourself and do it right the first time so the mold does not return.

1. If you have been suffering any illnesses that wouldn’t go away like allergies, itchy eyes, sore throat, headaches, fatigue, etc., go see your doctor and explain to him that you may have mold in your home. Knowledge about the mold will help him to correctly treat you.

2. Have your home tested by a trained mold tester. Many people make the mistake of cleaning up the mold without testing. It is important to know the type of mold your dealing with, and how bad the problem is.

3. Identify the cause of the mold. Make sure during the cleanup that it is fixed so that the mold will not return. If there was a leak in the roof, make sure its repaired. If a pipe causes a water leak in a wall, make sure its fixed. If the humidity level on your home humidifier is set too high, make sure it is turned lower. You don’t want the mold to return.

4. Contact your insurance company and find out if mold removal is covered in your policy. In some cases it is, depending on the cause of the mold.

5. After getting your mold test results and speaking with the mold inspector, decide if Mold remediation is neccesary. If it is make sure you are hiring a company that specializes in Mold Remediation. Not just a handyman or a general contractor.

6. Have the mold in your home removed. Mold removal is a much more complex process than most people realize. You don’t want to spread the mold to other parts of your home. You also don’t want to make yourself sick from breathing in mold during the removal process. Personal safety is very important and you must be overly cautious.

7. If you are going to hire a professional mold remediation company, make sure you get a few estimates and choose a company that you believe will do a thorough job. Be sure to check with your local Better Business Bureau to make sure the company has a good reputation. Ask for recent references. Ask the mold inspector if they are familiar with them.

8. You may want to purchase a book on mold and the removal process such as Brian Turners A Homeowners Complete Guide To Performing Mold Remediation. It is important to educate yourself on the mold removal process so that you are sure everything is done correctly. This book is quite thorough.

9. After the mold in your home has been removed, have the Inspector come back to preform an air test for mold. They will be able to tell you if the levels of mold are acceptable. Remember it is impossible to remove all of the mold. The goal is to try to get the levels inside your home the same as outside your home.

10. Be proactive in the future about mold prevention.

11. If you have any questions about mold in your home, feel free to contact us 619-270-7253 / 619-971-0681

Damaged Foreclosure Home

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Leaking roofs cause major problems

                                     If your home has a leaky roof, it can open the door to a host 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 are 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 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 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 cause a mold issue, 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 Mold Consultant and/or Mold Removal Company to help remove it from their residence. 

For roofing repairs, homeowners should Contact a Licensed Roofing Contractor.

If you have any questions and/or concerns feel free to Contact 

Superior Mold Testing (619) 270-7253

www.superiormoldtesting.com

What Benefits Do You Get From Mold Removal Services

Molds, although they are microscopic in size, can be felt everywhere – inside and outside your home or office. Mushrooms, yeasts and other fungi are molds and they are responsible for the breaking down dead materials.  Their food sources include wood, leaves, paper, walls, floorings, cabinets, and clothing.  All these are factors that contribute to the mold’s growth and reproduction.

While mold is a natural part of the environment, consuming debris matters and dead plants, no homeowner would want toxic mold inside his home.  Not only that it can cause structural damage to your property, but can also result in symptoms of mold allergy.  When mold is found in your home, it is very likely that there is increased moisture.  Maybe there was natural disaster like typhoon and floods, or you’re not aware of a leak in pipe or roof and gutter.  Or, there was a crack on the foundation.

Some Molds Can Cause a health Concern

There are many types of mold.  Some molds can cause health concerns and should be removed immediately.  If you keep breathing in mold, you can experience health problems that include respiratory ailments, bleeding of the lungs, dizziness, nausea, headaches, and other serious health issues.  All types of molds, once found in your home, should be removed.

Mold Inspection Procedures

At the first sign of mold infestation in your home or workplace, it is important to get help from a mold removal service company.  First, an assessment will be made to confirm your suspicion.  Your premises will be examined, too.  And once it is found that mold is present, the mold remediation team will decide on the right approach to solve your mold problem.   The investigation and assessments done by mold removal Services Company will focus primarily in planning to treat your problem and having the molds removed safely and effectively.

Why Use Professionals

It can really benefit you if you use a mold removal services professional.  You should be provided with information about mold, their types, how to prevent the spread of Mold, how to have mold removed properly , and how to prevent mold from coming back to your home.  You may be advised on matters like improved insulation, air conditioning, ventilation, heating, etc.

You have to Act Fast

So, at the first sign of mold presence, you should act immediately.  Your quick action can protect the people that you love.  Don’t wait too long, because doing this can cause your property to be damaged easily and can cause serious problems on your health and those of others.  You can find these mold experts on the internet, most of them have their own websites offering to you their services with the promise of expertise and excellence.  You need to choose well and intelligently, as all of them will offer you the same thing.
Be sure that the company you are calling specializes in Mold Removal ONLY. You dont want to use a company that does testing and removal. You also want to make sure they are experienced.
ASk questions! Never be afraid to ask to many questions. You need to understand for your own protection

How Much Condensation is on your windows?

Can you draw smiley faces on your windows as outside temperatures drop?


 Condensation is a natural occurrence on all surfaces in the home and is caused by excess humidity in the air. Moisture from hot showers, cooking - even respiration can build up, causing not only condensation but potentially mold and mildew growth or even rot. Be sure to regularly use exhaust fans in bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms to remove moisture.

 

Asthma Triggers

Asthma Triggers: Gain Control

 

Americans spend up to 90 percent of their time indoors. Indoor allergens and irritants play a significant role in triggering asthma attacks. Triggers are things that can cause asthma symptoms, an episode or attack or make asthma worse. If you have asthma, you may react to just one trigger or you may find that several things act as triggers. Be sure to work with a doctor to identify triggers and develop a treatment plan that includes ways to reduce exposures to your asthma triggers.

Asthma Triggers

MOLD

About mold and asthma

Molds are microscopic fungi that live on plant and animal matter. Molds can be found almost anywhere when moisture is present.

Molds create tiny spores to reproduce, just as plants produce seeds. Mold spores float through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on damp places indoors, they may begin growing.

For people sensitive to molds, inhaling mold spores can trigger an asthma attack.
Actions you can take

• If you think mold could be a problem in your home, you should contact a professional to have the Mold Properly Removed and locate & eliminate sources of moisture.

• Use exhaust fans or open a window in the bathroom and kitchen when showering, cooking or washing dishes.
• Fix water leaks as soon as possible to keep mold from growing.
• Dry damp or wet things completely within one to two days to keep mold from growing.
• Maintain low indoor humidity, ideally between 30-50% relative humidity. Humidity levels can be measured by hygrometers, which are available at local hardware stores.

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DUST MITES

Dust mites are tiny bugs that are too small to see. Every home has dust mites. They feed on human skin flakes and are found in mattresses, pillows, carpets, upholstered furniture, bedcovers, clothes, stuffed toys and fabric and fabric-covered items.

Body parts and droppings from dust mites can trigger asthma in individuals with allergies to dust mites. Exposure to dust mites can cause asthma in children who have not previously exhibited asthma symptoms.

Actions you can take

• Wash bedding in hot water once a week. Dry completely.
• Use dust proof covers on pillows and mattresses.
• Vacuum carpets and furniture every week.
• Choose stuffed toys that you can wash. Wash stuffed toys in hot water. Dry completely before your child plays with the toy.

Common house dust may also contain asthma triggers. These simple steps can help:

• Dust often with a damp cloth.
• Vacuum carpet and fabric-covered furniture to reduce dust build-up using a high efficiency (HEPA) filter. People with asthma or allergies should leave the area being vacuumed.

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COCKROACHES and OTHER PESTS

Droppings or body parts of cockroaches and other pests can trigger asthma. Certain proteins are found in cockroach feces and saliva and can cause allergic reactions or trigger asthma symptoms in some individuals.

Cockroaches are commonly found in crowded cities and the southern regions of the United States. Cockroach allergens likely play a significant role in asthma in many urban areas.

Actions you can take

• Keep counters, sinks, tables and floors clean and free of clutter.
• Clean dishes, crumbs and spills right away.
• Store food in airtight containers.
• Seal cracks or openings around or inside cabinets.

Insecticides and pesticides are not only toxic to pests — they can harm people too. Try to use pest management methods that pose less of a risk.

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PETS & PET DANDER

Proteins in your pet's skin flakes, urine, feces, saliva and hair can trigger asthma. Dogs, cats, rodents (including hamsters and guinea pigs) and other warm-blooded mammals can trigger asthma in individuals with an allergy to animal dander.

The most effective method to control animal allergens in the home is to not allow animals in the home. If you remove an animal from the home, it is important to thoroughly clean the floors, walls, carpets and upholstered furniture.

Some individuals may find isolation measures to be sufficiently effective. Isolation measures that have been suggested include keeping pets out of the sleeping areas, keeping pets away from upholstered furniture, carpets, and stuffed toys, keeping the pet outdoors as much as possible and isolating sensitive individuals from the pet as much as possible.

Actions you can take

• Find another home for your cat or dog.
• Keep pets outside if possible.
• If you have to have a pet inside, keep it out of the bedroom of the person with asthma.
• Keep pets off of your furniture.
• Vacuum carpets and furniture when the person with asthma is not around.

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NITROGEN DIOXIDE


Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) is an odorless gas that can irritate your eyes, nose and throat and cause shortness of breath. NO₂ can come from appliances inside your home that burn fuels such as gas, kerosene and wood. NO₂ forms quickly from emissions from cars, trucks and buses, power plants and off-road equipment. Smoke from your stove or fireplace can trigger asthma.

In people with asthma, exposure to low levels of NO₂ may cause increased bronchial reactivity and make young children more susceptible to respiratory infections. Long-term exposure to high levels of NO₂ can lead to chronic bronchitis. Studies show a connection between breathing elevated short-term NO₂ concentrations, and increased visits to emergency departments and hospital admissions for respiratory issues, especially asthma.

Actions you can take

If possible, use fuel-burning appliances that are vented to the outside. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to use these appliances.

• Gas cooking stoves: If you have an exhaust fan in the kitchen, use it when you cook. Never use the stove to keep you warm or heat your house.
• Unvented kerosene or gas space heaters: Use the proper fuel and keep the heater adjusted the right way. Open a window slightly or use an exhaust fan when you are using the heater.

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CHEMICAL IRRITANTS


Chemical irritants are found in some products in your house and may trigger asthma. Your asthma or your child's asthma may be worse around products such as cleaners, paints, adhesives, pesticides, cosmetics or air fresheners. Chemical irritants are also present in schools and can be found in commonly used cleaning supplies and educational kits.

Chemical irritants may exacerbate asthma. At sufficient concentrations in the air, many products can trigger a reaction.

Actions you can take

If you find that your asthma or your child's asthma gets worse when you use a certain product, consider trying different products.
If you must use a product, then you should:

• Make sure your child is not around.
• Open windows or doors, or use an exhaust fan.
• Always follow the instructions on the product label.

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OUTDOOR AIR POLLUTION


Outdoor air pollution is caused by small particles and ground level ozone that comes from car exhaust, smoke, road dust and factory emissions. Outdoor air quality is also affected by pollen from plants, crops and weeds. Particle pollution can be high any time of year and are higher near busy roads and where people burn wood.

When inhaled, outdoor pollutants and pollen can aggravate the lungs, and can lead to chest pain, coughing, digestive problems, dizziness, fever, lethargy, sneezing, shortness of breath, throat irritation and watery eyes. Outdoor air pollution and pollen may also worsen chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma.

Actions you can take

• Monitor the Air Quality Index on your local weather report.
• Know when and where air pollution may be bad.
• Regular exercise is healthy. Check your local air quality to know when to play and when to take it a little easier.
• Schedule outdoor activities at times when the air quality is better. In the summer, this may be in the morning.
• Stay inside with the windows closed on high pollen days and when pollutants are high.
• Use your air conditioner to help filter the air coming into the home. Central air systems are the best.
• Remove indoor plants if they irritate or produce symptoms for you or your family.
• Pay attention to asthma warning signs. If you start to see signs, limit outdoor activity. Be sure to talk about this with your child's

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WOOD SMOKE

Smoke from wood-burning stoves and fireplaces contain a mixture of harmful gases and small particles. Breathing these small particles can cause asthma attacks and severe bronchitis, aggravate heart and lung disease and may increase the likelihood of respiratory illnesses. If you're using a wood stove or fireplace and smell smoke in your home, it probably isn't working as it should.

Actions you can take

• To help reduce smoke, make sure to burn dry wood that has been split, stacked, covered and stored for at least 6 months.
• Have your stove and chimney inspected every year by a certified professional to make sure there are no gaps, cracks, unwanted drafts or to remove dangerous creosote
  build-up.
• If possible, replace your old wood stove with a new, cleaner heating appliance. Newer wood stoves are at least 50% more efficient and pollute 70% less than older models.
  This can help make your home healthier and safer and help cut fuel costs.

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SECOND HAND SMOKE

Secondhand smoke is the smoke from a cigarette, cigar or pipe, and the smoke exhaled by a smoker. Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 substances, including several compounds that cause cancer.


Secondhand smoke can trigger asthma episodes and increase the severity of attacks. Secondhand smoke is also a risk factor for new cases of asthma in preschool-aged children. Children's developing bodies make them more susceptible to the effects of secondhand smoke and, due to their small size, they breathe more rapidly than adults, thereby taking in more secondhand smoke. Children receiving high doses of secondhand smoke, such as those with smoking parents, run the greatest relative risk of experiencing damaging health effects.

Actions you can take

• Don't let anyone smoke near your child.
• If you smoke — until you can quit, don't smoke in your home or car.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.