Mold Inspection
More and more people are becoming aware of the hazards of mold infestation. There are many who look for more information about the health effects of mold and how to remove mold. Some are lucky enough to get rid of their mold problem in time. Some are less fortunate, learning about toxic mold only when it has affected their health, destroyed their home and interrupted their normal way of living; not to mention give them both financial and legal problems.
When mold problems are discovered, homeowners, landlords, and property managers fall prey to inadequate and unprofessional mold remediation services. Mold contractors are often untrained and inexperienced mold remediators.
Instead of making the situation better, the so-called "mold remediators" leave homes, buildings and real estate in worse condition than before they began mold remediation and removal. This leaves home owners, landlords, and property managers frustrated because their expectations and requirements are not met. They pay for expensive mold removal but are often left with even bigger mold problems.
On the other hand, there are knowledgeable, capable, and experienced Certified Mold Inspectors & Remediators who are well trained and experts in mold inspection. Home owners, landlords, and property managers can hire them to do thorough mold testing and recommend the best method of remediation for their home, office, apartment, condo, building, or real estate property. For cost-effective mold remediation more homeowners and property managers are doing their own mold removal.
Some History
Mold is an all-encompassing term to describe the growths such as fungi, mushrooms, mildew, and yeast. Molds are eukaryotic organisms (have a defined nucleus) that lack flagella and reproduce by means of spores. There are only a few places on earth that are uninhabitable by mold. As an expected part of the environment, they are present almost everywhere and vary naturally in general and concentrations based upon geographic locations and seasonal conditions.
There are an estimated 100,000 accurately described species of fungi and at least as many species waiting to be discovered. Almost all of these fungi are aerobes meaning they require oxygen to survive. They do not ingest their food but rather absorb nutrients by attacking dead organic matter or parasitizing living organisms. Many live in the soil and take an active part in the decomposition of organic matter. Unfortunately, many porous building materials such as drywall, wallpaper, and insulation are either constructed of, or contain some type of organic material.
When building components become moist from flooding or excessive humidity the fungi will initiate the reproductive phase of their life cycle and produce spores. It is their ability to reproduce very rapidly through these spores that make them thrive virtually anywhere. As long as moisture is present, microbial growth will continue unchecked until the moisture and/or nutrient sources are removed.
Certain fungi or fungal products (i.e. mycotoxins) can be the primary causes of human disease. Systemic, opportunistic or dermatophytic infections can occur from over 100 species known to affect humans. However, the majority of fungi found in the environment are unable to cause infectious disease unless the exposed individual is severely immunocompromised. The most common health effect from exposure to fungi is allergy like symptoms, mucous membrane irritation, headache, fatigue, and cold/flu-like symptoms.
HVAC Problems?
It makes sense that your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can contribute to indoor air issues. Almost all of the air inside your building travels through this system of equipment and ducts.
The EPA cites microbial growth in the HVAC system as one of four primary sources for indoor air pollution. The EPA specifically identifies “microbiological growth in drip pans, ductwork, coils and humidifiers” as the source for allergic reactions building occupants may suffer.
Mold in Your HVAC System?
Your heating and ventilation system can spread mold spores through the entire building. The EPA is concerned by this and specifically advises building managers and home owners to “not run the HVAC system if you know or suspect that it is contaminated with mold”. (from the HVAC section of the EPA’s publication “Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings”)
Mold thrives wherever there is moisture and HVAC systems provide an ideal breeding ground in which mold can grow. Mold spores and their food source are introduced to air handlers via warm humid air. There, in a continuously damp environment the mold can freely grow.
The EPA, in its fact sheet “Indoor Air Facts No. 4: Sick Building Syndrome” provides four remedies for SBS. The first is to remove pollutant sources. To accomplish this you need to make sure your system is doing everything it can to trap pollutants and keep mold spores from growing. Routine cleaning and maintenance of HVAC systems as a recommended course of action.