Mold Inspection

Mold, the worst roommate.

Mold can be found anywhere in dark, moist areas. A common mistake people make when they find mold is to wipe it off. In order to survive the mold will go airborne through spores looking for their next food source. Spores are also released when mold grows. These spores can be absorbed through the skin, inhaled or ingested. Once in your system, it can cause many respiratory problems such as Runny Nose, Itchy Eyes, Asthma, Pneumonitis, sinusitis, and dry cough. You may suffer from skin rashes, upset stomach or headaches. Certain types of mold (Aspergillus, Stachybotrys) create mycotoxins and release them into the air through spores and can cause more adverse affects on humans. Prolonged exposure could lead to internal bleeding, kidney and or liver failure and pulmonary emphysema.

How will I know if I have mold?

A Mold inspection by a qualified certified inspector is the only way to know for sure what is causing your environmental symptoms. Mold can be found anywhere dark, moist areas exist. A common mistake people make when they find mold is to wipe it off. When you try to kill the mold, the spores take to the air looking for their next source of food. You need to determine the source of the moisture the mold is living off, and eliminate it first. Unfortunately, mold is finding it's way into our house and is destroying the structural integrity of crucial areas (floor joists) and also causing possible health risks with prolonged exposure. At JTD we can provide peace of mind with Air Quality and other Tests that will determine what problem areas you may have and the solution to these problem areas.

What is an Air Quality Test

An Air Quality Test is done with a specialized vacuum pump and an air-sampling cassette. This will be set up in the suspect area of the house, and an air sample will be taken. One air sample will be taken outside or in a "clean" room for comparison. The cassettes will get sent to a lab for analysis and with in a few days the results of the air sample will be done. An Air Quality Test is testing for any type of aeroallergens (air borne allergens) and bioaerosols(biological particles). Examples of these are mold spores, pollen, skin fragments, dust mite parts and their feces, combustion particles, toners, environmental dusts, construction dusts and other airborne particulates. This is what we do at JTD along with other Allergen and Air Quality tests.

Allergen and other types of tests

Mold may not be the problem with the air quality in your home. There may be different types of microorganisms living in your house that are affecting the air quality. Some examples would be dust mites, cockroach parts and feces, animal dander, and even cat saliva. To test for these, JTD would collect at least 1 tsp of dust to send to the lab for results.

There can be other factors in your home affecting your or other members of your household. JTD can also test building materials for asbestos, which can be found in vermiculite insulation, heater pipe insulation, and even in some types of plaster used until the 1980's. It is recommended that if asbestos is found in the home, not to disturb it. It has to be broken, cut, or drilled into to release any of the harmful fibers. JTD can also send in paint chips to test for lead paints. If either of these is causing concern in your home, call JTD for free info and estimates on sampling charges.

Why was mold not an issue 20 years ago?

With advancing technology, the human race has discovered many ways to improve overall health and life span. As with many things unknown, mold was not much of a problem because the results of harboring it were also unknown. The general public neglects the issues mold can cause, because they have never had any problems with it before, so why worry about it now.

The reason mold is more of a problem today than 20 years ago is due to the way houses are now being built. New building codes implemented to make houses as energy efficient as possible, and by using different building methods and materials, houses are built so air tight that it's trapping moisture vapours inside. Also, most houses are built on a concrete foundation that emits moisture while it's curing for up to 7 years before fully cured. Houses are also being built in winter weather with wet or frozen lumber that isn't being dried properly before the house is finished. All these factors are raising humidity levels inside new houses, creating condensation on windows and piping which is a great source of moisture for mold to start to grow. Older houses are showing signs of mold because of lack of regular maintenance. Mortar deterioration between bricks, cracks in the foundation, and old or insufficient roofing materials are allowing water to penetrate into the house. Lack of insulation in certain areas can cause condensation during winter months where the warm air in the house meets with the cold air from outside. With a small source of constant moisture, mold can begin to grow with in 24-48hrs. When the mold reaches maturity, it will release microbial spores into the air, spreading the mold anywhere there is a sufficient food source and moisture. This is when mold starts to grow inside wall cavities, behind cabinets and even in ventilation systems. Molds purpose is to survive and it is very good at what it does.

What is Mold?

Mold is a very important organism and is part of the natural environment. Molds are part of the fungi kingdom, a diverse group of organisms within a wide range of species that include mushrooms, bracket fungi, molds and mildew.

Mold's primary function is to breakdown dead organic material and recycles nutrients back to the earth. Without mold our world would be covered in accumulated organic matter. In addition to breaking down material, mold is also an aid in the development of certain foods and medicine, such as cheese and penicillin.

Click here for the InterNACHI Mold Standards of Practice.

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Please call Jim @ 519-902-8138 if you have any questions