Mold Information
Ten Things You Should Know About Mold
Article courtesy of Joe Kormos, A-1st Look Home Inspectors Inc. Your 1st Choice in Property Inspection Professionals. For additional informative articles please visit http://www.a-1stlookhomeinspectors.com/
1. Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.
2. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
3. If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.
4. Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
5. Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to decrease mold growth by:
a. venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside;
b. using air conditioners and de-humidifiers;
c. increasing ventilation;
d. and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.
6. Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
7. Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.
8. Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
9. In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).
10. Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.
Joseph B Kormos is a Certified Inspector serving the Northern Illinois area. Joe has been licensed by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulations (IDPR). He has more than 20 years experience in the real estate and construction industry and is certified by the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI). He continues to update his yearly education and testing requirements. Visit his company website at http://www.a-1stlookhomeinspectors.com/ , or call his office at 630-201-0933 or send him an e-mail at a-1stlook@comcast.net for more information.
Complete Home Inspection Service for: Chicagoland, Northwest Suburbs, South Suburbs, North Shore, South Shore, Cook County, DuPage County, Boone County, LaSalle County, Kane County, McHenry County, Winnebago County, Lake County, De Kalb County, Kendall and Gundy County.
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Mold in florida, a growing Concern
Florida is one of mold favorite places to live in. Although molds can be found anywhere, mold relies on humid environments, or moisture and a food source such as building materials, dust, wood, paper and organic materials. Most mold types are likely to grow on a porous surface with high moisture content within the first 24-48 hours.
A tremendous percentage of all the properties in the state of Florida face some kind of moisture problem, many of those are a result from hurricane damages causing water intrusion in the property, many of those homes with water damages worsen during the period with no electricity, those thousands of homes with no power for a prolonged period of time are unable to run their air conditioner systems and properly remove humidity.
Proper maintenance and functioning of your A/C system is crucial for a healthy indoor environment, having your A/C unit serviced on regular basis may prevent you from a lot headaches in regards to mold.
When an A/C system is not functioning properly, weather is not cooling enough or no removing the humidity like it should, condensation problems may occur. Air conditioner systems should be one of the most important things to inspect during a mold inspection since this possible contamination is being spread out among the entire property possibly triggering allergic reactions, upper respiratory problems and many health hazards to those occupants susceptible to mold exposure.
Indoor air quality assessments in Florida such as mold testing, mold inspections and even mold remediation or removal have become a multi million dollar industry in the past few years due to all the media hype, newer studies on mold exposure and recent hurricane activity. Because of this dramatic growth in the industry a lot of companies have been taking advantage of this demand, and the fact that no laws, regulations or specific protocols for mold testing and or mold removal have been passed. When choosing a mold testing company this are the things you should look for:
•· No conflict of interest ( do not use a company that does both remediation and testing)
•· Look for companies that use the latest in technology such particle counters, infrared thermal cameras, moisture meters...
•· Make sure they are certified indoor environmentalist or at least certified mold inspectors.
•· Make sure they inspect the A/C system, attic, exterior, behind pluming fixtures, and moisture detection among entire property. Having a specific area tested with out investigation and environmental testing on the rest of the property is no on your best interest (a lot findings are not visible to the naked eye) that is why top of line equipment must be used.
•· Pick a company that uses a accredited laboratory
•· Make sure they provide a comprehensive report and lab results interpretation for a better understanding of the results and findings.
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