IS A DAMP BUILDING MAKING YOU SICK?
It is believed that 1 in 5 homes in the US have some type of excessive moisture problem, moist and damp buildings have been found to cause elevated fungal (mold) growth which inflame respiratory conditions triggering asthma and allergies, a damp/moist building can also create other biological airborne pollutants other than mold spores such as bacteria, enzymes and viruses. Damp buildings are also breeding grounds for dust mites, roaches, termites, rodents and other vermin which their body fragments and feces go airborne causing serious respiratory illnesses and other health problems.
Excessive moisture in a building can also create non-biological indoor air pollution chemical vapors (VOC’s) released from water damaged building materials and furniture which negatively affects a person’s health.
There’s no doubt that a diligent visual and sensory inspection is necessary in damp building and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) investigations, the fact is the EPA, OSHA. NOISH, NYDOH and CDPH all agree that damp building (IAQ) inspectors, mold inspectors and mold remediation technicians should have solid backgrounds in construction.
These same agencies all concur that a competent damp building and/or mold inspector shall understand the design and complexity of the building, the mechanical components and the building sciences within that structure.
A diligent damp building inspection can be very similar to real estate transaction inspection (home inspection) which typically includes the non-invasive inspection of the interior, exterior, grading, roofing, attic, crawlspace, plumbing, appliances, HVAC systems and its components while focusing on any conditions that could cause unwanted water intrusion, excessive moisture content and high water vapor in the ambient air.
EXTERIOR water and moisture intrusion into a building can be caused by defective or older outdated construction codes, negative landscape grading, roof and roof vent defects, unsealed windows, and openings in stucco or siding can cause condensation within the building envelope.
A common problem we find is poorly placed irrigation heads too close to the building saturating the exterior walls causing water infiltration deep into the building envelope causing mold growth and unforeseen structural damages.
INTERIOR there may be leaking plumbing and sewer lines inside the wall or ceiling cavities, exhaust vents venting inside the crawlspace or the attic, there may be a defective or leaking HVAC system, leaking condensation pipes, leaking water heaters and other hard to view building mechanics.
HIGH WATER VAPOR content and humidity is commonly created by everyday human activity, excessive indoor condensation can be caused by too a tight of building (energy saving buildings), inadequate ventilation, building stack effect, and other sources.
Solid construction experience combined with knowledge of building sciences and basic mycology are invaluable assets in a quality damp building investigations, IAQ inspections, assessments and remediation recommendations.
California Certified has over 30 years of ‘hands on’ plumbing and general construction and still has an active contractor’s license CSLN 574974 (A, B, C36, C27, and C8). CC also has over 10 years experience as a certified home inspector, ICC building code inspector, building sciences and numerous damp building related inspection certificates which is a significant advantage in a high quality water and moisture infiltration investigation.
1 800 758-6266; www.CAcertified.com
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