Mold & Mold Remediation

MOLD & MOLD REMEDIATION

Got Mold?
What does mold look like?
How do I know if I have a mold problem?
Steps to prevent mold growth
Where can mold be hiding?
Aren’t new homes mold free?
What leads to indoor mold growth?
Some causes for the increase in mold contamination in our industry
How does mold affect health? Who is at risk?
How quickly can mold grow?
Is testing necessary?
The remediation process
Some do’s and don’ts

Molds are a natural fungus that have been around since the beginning of time. While they play a beneficial role in the production of foods and medicine, some species can be harmful if found in excess in an indoor environment, such as your home. Molds have been linked to creating health problems, as well as exacerbating existing health issues. There are many symptoms people commonly experience from mold exposure, but more research is needed to fully and definitively determine its health effects and how to measure it in the human body.

Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture and a food source is present. In the outdoor environment, mold has its place. They are a key component in the breaking down of dead leaves, wood and other plant debris. Indoors, they can grow on any organic surface where there is moisture present. The conditions that we live in are similar to those that mold itself grows in – low light, little air movement, and temperatures at 68˚ - 86˚F.

Reproduction occurs by the dispersion of spores, which travel through indoor and outdoor air. When the spores land on a damp spot, they begin to grow and slowly destroy whatever they land on. Molds will consume whatever they grow on by breaking the material down and destroying it. They can grow on wood, paper, carpets, and foods. When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth can often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or un-addressed. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores indoors. The way to control indoor growth is to control moisture.

What does mold look like? [TOP OF PAGE]

Mold spores can be present without the appearance of visible mold. It requires moisture to survive, so it is often found in areas with water damage or excessive humidity. To the unaided eye, mold has a variety of appearances: fuzzy, velvety, wet, dry, powdery, and so on. It can appear as black stains or patches of white, yellow, green, brown, black, gray, or even pink.

How do I know if I have a mold problem? [TOP OF PAGE]

The following are signs you may have a mold problem:

If there has been a fire or flood in the dwelling
A musty or mildew type of smell
Black speckled walls or areas around any plumbing fixtures
A leaky roof
Water stained walls or ceilings
Sudden respiratory problems or complaints of ill health
Swollen walls or floor boards which may have lifted
Visible mold growth

Steps to prevent mold growth [TOP OF PAGE]

Check attic vents to make sure the insulation is not blocking the eaves
Use dehumidifier(s) in basement to remove excess moisture
Ensure bathroom vents are installed and vented properly
Fix leaky roof promptly
Repair leaky pipes promptly
Ensure downspouts are directed away from structure
Make sure gutters are kept free of ice and debris, and that there is sufficient insulation in attic to prevent ice damming
Make sure land surrounding foundation is properly graded (water must be able to flow away from foundation)
If excessive mold growth is detected, contact mold remediator.

Where can mold be hiding? [TOP OF PAGE]

Mold spores can essentially be found in all homes and offices, and grow rapidly from excess moisture. Mold generally grows in dark and damp places like behind walls, where pipes have leaked or in basements and attics. These are places where mold seems to be lurking:

Inside walls
Under carpeting and pad
In wall board
In insulation
Behind ceramic tile
Under sink bases
On plasterboard
On wood
Behind wallpaper
In/on/behind ceiling tiles
In air ducts
Under imitation hardwood flooring
ANY place where there is little or no air movement

Basements are one of the most common areas for mold to grow. It is important for basements to have at least one dehumidifier. Set the unit to the 50% mark, and it will remove excess moisture from the air. The units shut off automatically to adjust to the humidity setting. Be sure to check and empty the drain pan periodically. Running a line from the drain pan on the dehumidifier to a sump pump crock is another option for drainage. Finished basements with drywall are also subject to mold damage. Framing should be built approximately six inches from your exterior wall and the frame of the finished wall. If the carpet, pad or drywall gets wet, it must be dried within 48 to 72 hours. If not properly dried and treated within that time frame, the risk of bacteria and mold growth increases substantially.

Aren’t new homes mold free? [TOP OF PAGE]

Older homes are not the only ones affected by mold. New builds frequently come equipped with their own mold issues. Moldy building materials are received from the builder’s supplier, and these moldy materials can pass through quality control checks and built into the structure. The inventory of materials is usually left on outside ground, with no plastic sheeting to protect it from the elements (i.e. snow, rain, etc.). Some crews neglect to cover the structure under construction at the end of each day, again exposing wood and materials to rain. Roof and side walls should be protected by plastic barrier until roof, siding, windows, and doors are totally installed.

Builders may fail to inspect and test the home during and at the home’s completion for presence of mold. New builds also use modern materials such as chip wafer board, drywall and plywood, all of which are favorite “foods” for mold.

What leads to indoor mold growth? [TOP OF PAGE]

Molds can be found everywhere, naturally. The spores can enter your home or office through open doorways, windows, and HVAC systems.

The following conditions are necessary for mold growth to occur on surfaces:

temperature between 40˚F and 100˚F
presence of mold spores
nutrient base (most surfaces contain nutrients)
moisture

Mold growth does NOT require presence of standing water; it can occur when high relative humidity or the tendency to absorb and retain moisture of building surfaces allow sufficient moisture to accumulate. Water dripping unknowingly in a wall or unoccupied unit can cause major damage to contents and structure. Even if the source of moisture has been fixed, it does not mean mold growth has stopped. It can survive for a long time without moisture. The mold will go into a dormant state, essentially “going to sleep.” Nutrients that mold feeds from include wet cellulose materials (paper/paper products), sheetrock, adhesives, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood/wood products, and other fibrous materials. Other items that support mold growth are dust, paints, wallpaper, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.

Some causes for the increase in
mold contamination in our industry [TOP OF PAGE]

Leaky plumbing
Poor construction
Tightly sealed, airtight building structures
Leaky stucco or roofing materials
Condensation from improperly installed air conditioning units
Bathroom vents routed into attic spaces
(instead of to the outdoors)
Faulty grading around perimeter of building foundation
Clogged gutters
Improperly installed down spouts
Insulation compacted over eaves in attic.

How does mold affect health?
Who is at risk? [TOP OF PAGE]

While not all molds are harmful to humans, it is possible that a number of health problems that people experience in homes, schools, and offices could be related to toxic mold. This assessment is difficult to make, as any given individual may not be able to see or smell a dangerous mycotoxin. Finding a link between mold and illness is tricky because different mycotoxins affect different people in different ways. Some people experience immediate reactions, whereas others may not notice or exhibit symptoms for weeks after exposure.

Exposure to mold is not healthy for anyone, but the following individuals are at a higher risk for adverse health effects: infants, children, elderly, immune-compromised patients, pregnant women, and individuals with existing respiratory conditions. Molds may cause a wide range of health problems when inhaled, even in small amounts.
The most common symptoms are:
respiratory problems (wheezing/coughing), nasal and sinus congestion, watery and red eyes, nose and throat irritation, skin irritation and rashes, headaches, fevers, nosebleeds, extreme fatigue, memory loss, dizziness, intestinal distress, and aggravation of asthma.

Molds that produce mycotoxins cause symptoms far worse than sneezing and itchy eyes. One type of mold, Stachybotros Chartarum, produces a mycotoxin that can cause serious illness in adults and can be fatal to infants.

Please note: Our furry friends can also exhibit symptoms and be affected by mold exposure.

How quickly can mold grow? [TOP OF PAGE]

Mold can destroy whatever it grows on, and can take hold in as little as 24-48 hours when food, moisture, and the right temperature are present. Mold colonization depends on type, and can occur in 1 – 12 days. It is essential to act immediately to resolve since spores surround us and are carried from place to place by air currents and ventilation equipment.

Is testing necessary? [TOP OF PAGE]

Some agree with the saying “If you have mold, don’t worry about what type you have – just get rid of it!” Situations where testing may be important would be in litigation, if health is in question, or in real estate transactions. Pre- and post-testing is beneficial to compare outdoor and indoor spore counts (indoor counts should be lower or similar to outdoor counts, post remediation). This ensures proper remediation has been performed, and the clearance samples are proof. We are familiar with working with Industrial Hygienists’ protocols and know what it takes to pass a clearance test – the first time. To date, Master Care Restoration Company has never failed a clearance test!!

The remediation process [TOP OF PAGE]

In all mold remediation situations, our goal is to safely remove or clean contaminated materials in a way that prevents any further contamination of clean areas, while protecting the health of workers and inhabitants. The typical mold remediation project will usually follow this sequence:

Identify and correct the source of moisture
Set up the appropriate containment for the job (sealing off contaminated areas)
Maintain negative air pressure differential inside the containment chamber relative to outside by using filtration devices equipped with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters
Employ the use of respiratory and skin protection
Remove all contaminated building materials and dispose of in bags in compliance with regards to material handling and protocols for fungal spores in and out of work area
Sand, if necessary, HEPA-vac all surfaces, clean/biowash affected areas, apply sealant where needed
Have post remediation samples collected and analyzed following remediation to demonstrate mold has been reduced to safe levels and spores have not been released into occupied areas during remediation process. (Call our office for list of reputable Industrial Hygienists)

Setting up containment is the critical first step. If this is done incorrectly, cross contamination of the rest of the building can occur, and you may not be aware of it. Once containment is established, it must stay in place until the remediation process is completed and clearance samples have been collected and analyzed. Even if you can no longer see mold on a surface, it does not mean it is necessarily gone. In can be on other surfaces or in the air. This is why containment must not be removed until all work is completed.

Master Care Restoration Company was approached by a business needing remediation services, and notified that the company they selected to do the remediation was going to set up and take down containment daily over the course of several days so that business could continue without disruption. When the remediation company continually removed and re-established containment, they increased the risk of mold exposure to employees and customers that entered the affected area, as well as possibly cross contaminated the building structure. If you experience similar procedures from a remediation company, show them the door, and call Master Care Restoration Company.

In summary…some do’s and don’ts [TOP OF PAGE]

DON’T

ignore mold health issues, especially sudden or unexplained ones
assume that there is no mold because it is not visible. The worst mold infestation problems are often ones you cannot see
assume new homes/structures are exempt from mold problems
assume that after a wet area has dried by itself, it is mold safe. Just because mold needs moisture to grow, it can lay dormant, and still be harmful to mold-sensitive people
use chlorine bleach to kill mold. Bleach is a highly unstable hypochlorite solution, found to become inactive when in contact with organic substances. It is not registered as a fungicide with the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
paint over mold – paint is actually a food source for mold!!

attend to and correct water/leaking issues promptly
use a dehumidifier to lower moisture levels in your basement
call Master Care Restoration Company, the mold remediation specialists!! We are IICRC^* certified in Applied Microbial Remediation (AMRT) and strictly adhere to guidelines set forth in the IICRC S520 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation.

^*Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification