4 Signs That You Need Mold Remediation

Transcription

1 4 Signs That You Need Mold Remediation The general rule is that when mold is visible, it is time to kill it and remove it. But mold isn t always visible and so there are other criteria to strongly consider when it comes to mold remediation. Here are the four criteria to look for mold in your home. 1. A water event or occasional/frequent water intrusion Has there been recent water intrusion? Water does not necessarily equal mold growth as spores have to already be present. But since mold spores are microscopic (2-10 microns), a water event is usually the trigger that causes mold to be seen or otherwise detected. Note: Mold means moisture or humidity is, or has been present. Water does not necessarily mean mold growth is present. 2. Discoloration Most molds cause the organic material the mold is consuming to change colours. Whether the food source for the mold is human food or drywall paper, if colonization is allowed for enough time, there will usually be a discoloration that will reveal a mold problem. Most molds, when allowed to grow in abundance, are visibly seen in certain colours. Mold is not only black. Many species are visible in grey, white, brown, red and even some hues of pastel colours. Some molds look like dust, or fuzz, while others look like sand granules. Certain molds thrive on certain food sources, and they all require different moisture content or relative humidity in the ambient air. Note: Water seeping through masonry sometimes causes a white crystalline, powder-like discoloration called efflorescence. This substance is made up of minerals and should not be confused with mold. 3. A musty odour Is there a musty odour that prevails, or come and goes? Some molds are odorous when colonizing. Although some species do not cause odours, when a musty, moldy odour is combined with other criteria, one can conclude that mold is present. Even if mold is not visible, remediation may be necessary. Note: Some individuals have a great sense of smell. Others may think that they do. Odour alone should not be the only criterion used to determine whether remediation is necessary. Some actively colonizing fungal species give off odours. Dead or dormant spores generally do not, but are just as detrimental to human health. Absence of odour does not mean that there is no mold and odour does not mean that it is caused from fungal growth. Do not rely solely on scent for detection.

2 4. Adverse human health effects A good indication that there is unacceptable fungal ecology within a building envelope is that occupants feel health symptoms when spending extended periods of time in a certain space and feel much better when spending extended periods of time outside that space. If residents in a home or employees in a workplace experience congestion, allergy symptoms, headaches, fatigue or respiratory problems after each night s sleep or after the end of each work day, this may be an indication of unhealthy air quality. One environmental hazard to cause unhealthy air quality is a mold infestation. If one spends a week on vacation away from work and home and all symptoms disappear, perhaps the home, school or workplace has unacceptable fungal ecology or unhealthy indoor air quality Mold exposure can lead to several health related problems. With its natural ability to travel through the air, the inhalation of mold spores can create a variety of respiratory ailments. Common side effects include asthma, allergies, respiratory infections, sinus infections and skin rashes. In some cases, mold exposure can even be fatal. Is a mold problem in your home making you sick? Indoor air quality and Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) are terms many people do not think about often, or they may not be familiar with these terms at all. However, contaminants in the air you breathe and on the surfaces you touch in your home can make you sick. If you feel ill when inside a location, but the symptoms noticeably improve after leaving the premises, you may be experiencing something called sick building syndrome. Sick building syndrome means harmful exposures in the building are the cause of the adverse health effects experienced. Once the exposure to environmental contaminants has ceased, the symptoms typically go away. How do you know if your indoor environment has unhealthy contaminants causing sick building syndrome? The dangers of mold Exposure to mold spores from indoor fungal growth occurs more often than people realize and awareness of it may not be known. Molds are microscopic organisms that originate outdoors, growing in the soil, plants, and other organic materials. Their spores infiltrate indoor environments via air currents and by surface transfer on clothes and shoes. Once indoors, the mold spores settle in the dust. If adequate moisture is available, the spores can germinate into new fungal colonies, producing multitudes of new spores that can become dispersed in the indoor air causing exposure by inhalation or by surface contact.

3 Sufficient moisture for mold growth can occur from a long list of possibilities, including plumbing leaks, rainwater entry from flooding basements, damp crawl spaces, condensation due to temperature differences, high humidity, roof issues, improper flashing and sewer backups. Many individuals are allergic to fungi. When spores are inhaled, it triggers symptoms such as sinus congestion or asthma. However, it is also recognized that even people without allergies to mold can experience adverse health effects from fungal exposures if mold spores are the type that produce "mycotoxins substances that are toxic to one or more organs of the body. Problem materials The building materials used today are highly susceptible to mold growth. Gypsum sheetrock used for walls and ceilings has paper backing on both sides. The wood used to frame a house is low density, coming from rapidly growing trees. Vinyl wallpaper is frequently used, which does not breathe and traps moisture behind it. Jute backed wall-to-wall carpeting is often installed. These are all materials that molds like to grow on if sufficient moisture is available. If the material contains cellulose (paper, wood, cardboard boxes, jute), the most toxic molds (black mold, chaetomium) have all the nutrients they need. Symptoms to watch for People often ask about the symptoms experienced from exposure to indoor mold spores. There are a wide range of health complaints reported, depending on the types of microbials growing (molds, yeast, bacteria) and the vulnerabilities of the individuals involved. The most frequently reported ailments include upper or lower respiratory problems (asthma, sinusitis, chronic cough, rhinitis, frequent sneezing). Other often reported symptoms include burning eyes, extreme fatigue, skin rashes, nosebleeds and headaches. Occasionally, people complain about fibromyalgia symptoms, joint pain, altered immunities, concentration and memory difficulties, nausea, psychological problems and/or hair loss. If you suspect you might be exposed to fungal contaminants from indoor mold growth because you live or work in a location that has sustained water damage at one time, it would be very worth your while to test for abnormal indoor mold contaminants. Removing the problem Please realize that even if a water problem happened a long time ago and the moisture problem has since been fixed, once the mold has grown, the threat remains until the spores are physically removed. The allergens and toxins are present on the outside of the spore, so it does not matter whether the spores are alive, dormant or dead. It is fairly easy to physically remove mold from non-porous substrates, such as plastic, glass or metal. The mold can be scrubbed off with an anti-microbial solution like 10 percent

4 Clorox. However, removal from porous materials like sheetrock or carpet is much more difficult. Mold has roots (mycelia) that dig into the pores of these materials. Physical removal of the mold entails cutting out the damaged material and discarding it. It is highly recommended that the damaged material be bagged in plastic at the site of removal before carrying it out of the building so it does not shed mold particles and contaminate other areas on its way out. After exposures to abnormal/unhealthy molds have been eliminated, symptoms typically resolve and quality of life can return to normal 4 easy steps to prevent mold from invading your home Horror stories of household mold infestations and related illnesses have been prevalent in the mainstream media of late, but homeowners should be relieved to know that most mold contaminations are easily preventable. Although the legislative jury is still out to determine acceptable mold exposure standards, the scientific truth is that any household mold has the potential to cause adverse health effects. In fact, long-term exposure to certain types of toxic molds has been linked with catastrophic and often deadly diseases. This fact highlights the importance for homeowners to be vigilant in diagnosing potential mold sources before a problem develops. 1. Light and ventilation. Mold spores are able to establish colonies and cultivate on porous materials such as drywall, wood framing, carpet and fabric, whenever moisture levels exceed 15 percent or relative humidity within a room reaches 60 percent. Many homes in humid climates are susceptible to mold growth on furniture, clothing and even structural walls if there is inadequate ventilation. Even minor surface mildew may develop into a structural damage scenario if left un-mitigated. Preventative measures include installation of ventilation fans into bathrooms, opening windows when weather allows and making sure furniture such as couches and dressers are moved away from walls just enough to allow for nominal airflow. Light and ventilation are the enemies of mold and fungus, which thrive in dark, damp environments. 2. Leaky plumbing fixtures. Most household mold damage is a result of water damage from plumbing leaks or other water damage events that go unnoticed or are not dried out properly or promptly. Common water damage sources that should be inspected regularly for leakage include: water heaters, kitchen and bathroom angle stop valves, toilet supply lines, air conditioners and filtration systems.

5 A simple visual inspection for condensation, dripping, corrosion or water staining around these potential problem areas may help catch a ticking time bomb before irreversible damage has occurred. 3. Exterior maintenance. Many indoor mold allergies are a result of a mold contamination that has affected exterior walls of a home from outdoor landscaping negligence or deficiencies. Blocked crawlspace vents, clogged gutters, misaligned sprinklers or deteriorating stucco are all potential sources for moisture to penetrate the outside of your home. Once the weatherproofing of your home has been compromised, you are at risk of damaging susceptible insulation, drywall, and even hardwood flooring within. A quick walk around your home may reveal obvious signs of required maintenance. Otherwise, consider consulting with a landscape or drainage expert to diagnose more technical problem areas such as inadequate drainage or over-irrigation. 4. Prompt, professional water damage response. In the unfortunate event that you do fall victim to an unavoidable water damage event, do not hesitate to contact us immediately to professionally assess damage and begin dry out services. Whether the water damage originates from a toilet overflow, burst pipe or roof leak, it is imperative to have the damage professionally assessed. Even if the damage appears to be minor, professional moisture assessment can determine if the damage exceeds what is visible to the untrained eye. Remember that in ideal circumstances, mold growth can begin to develop in as little as 24 hours, so it is only a matter of time before unmitigated water damage becomes a dangerous mold contamination. Diligence in following these steps may help homeowners avoid a costly mold remediation. However, if a mold problem is discovered or feared, do the right thing and contact us to assess the damage for proper treatment. Mishandling of a mold problem that may seem minor puts you at high risk of crosscontaminating your entire house, or even endangering your health. Remember, when it comes to mold and water damage, prevention may be possible and can save thousands in unexpected repairs to your home Sometimes a handyman will build a bathroom ventilator fan that vents into the attic, and that creates condensation and more mold, you want it to vent directly outside.