Aerovex Formerly Modern Solutions

Is there mold contamination in your home?

Even the newest and cleanest homes can have all the essential ingredients for active mold growth. Indoor mold contamination most often occurs in areas that are completely unnoticed by the home’s occupants. Mold can also become a concern during real-estate transactions and may need to be negotiated if discovered in significant concentrations. Even smaller areas of mold contamination should be an important concern to anyone with compromised health and those wanting to prevent mold related sickness and disease.

How dangerous is mold?

Molds are now recognized as a serious indoor health concern in homes all across the country. Mold can cause a large variety of health affects including behavior problems, learning disabilities, permanent brain damage, ear infections, sinus infections, damage to the immune and nervous systems, as well as, serious breathing disorders such as allergies and asthma. These sicknesses are caused by inhalation of: 1) microscopic seeds called spores which are released into the indoor air, 2) toxic chemicals called mycotoxins produced by the mold, and 3) gasses emitted as the final waste product during mold digestion. While mold can affect even the healthiest people, women who are pregnant, infants, children, seniors, and those with allergies, asthma, chemical sensitivities or other preexisting medical conditions should be especially concerned about the health affects of mold.

Where does mold come from?

Basically the only requirements for mold growth indoors are a food source and a little moisture. Food sources are plentiful in our homes and can include cellulose products such as drywall, wood, insulation, cardboard and paper, as well as, invisible bio-film on hard surfaces, carpet backing, wallpaper adhesive, many fabrics, leather, and especially house dust which is primarily dead skin cells shed from humans. Moisture sources are also multiple and can include humidity trapped inside of homes which are constructed more airtight than they used to be, all areas where moisture builds up as condensation, former or active roof leaks, plumbing leaks, backed-up floor drains, and water seepage through siding or foundations. Due to the abundant food and moisture sources indoors, most homes inspected will have multiple locations where mold is actively growing.

When does mold become a problem?

First, we must understand that mold spores are present everywhere and we should never expect to live in a mold free world. Mold is part of the natural food chain to complete the breaking down of dead matter. In smaller amounts, most of us are not bothered by mold, but in larger concentrations, mold can be very detrimental. In fact, an area only the size of a soft ball can emit tens of thousands of spores into your indoor air each day. Some molds types are infectious, some are extremely toxic and most indoor molds are considered allergenic. While you do not always have to “smell” mold for it to be a health concern, if you can smell a musty odor indoors, the mold concentrations are already likely beyond safe levels for health. Whenever and wherever molds are growing indoors, they should be seen as a serious concern and promptly remediated. Procrastinating will only cause the contamination to spread further and become more costly to remediate. Additionally, symptoms usually become worse with time and can sometimes be irreversible. There is no wisdom in delay.

Should I have a mold inspection?

There are many areas in every home where mold growth can be hiding. A professional mold inspection can help you identify those areas where mold is actively growing in your home. Mold inspections will often reveal multiple smaller areas of mold contamination which have a cumulative effect equal to that of a large area. You will also be provided with advice on how to eliminate and control mold colonies. Because indoor mold is a direct cause of so many health problems, a mold inspection is a wise investment for everyone, not just those who are already suffering symptoms.

Ancillary Mold Inspection

An ancillary mold inspection is an awareness inspection for the benefit of people who are purchasing homes and who want to know if mold contamination is an issue with their new house. Mold is not a part of a general home inspection as mandated by state home inspection standards. An ancillary mold inspection must be requested as an option at the onset of a general home inspection.

The ancillary mold inspection is limited to visual inspection and is optional only when it is performed concurrent with a standard home inspection. Until the buyer owns the home, the inspector cannot use invasive measures such as cutting holes in walls or removing building materials, nonetheless, this visual inspection is very informative and beneficial for a home buyer. Being that the mold inspection is being performed while inspecting for general building defects, this added service can be performed for a very nominal fee.

An ancillary mold inspection includes:

Identification of mold contamination in approximately 30 locations where mold is commonly found in homes without structural invasion, moving personal property, or the use of instrumentation.

A standard mold inspection report form which records all of the areas where mold has been discovered. This form also serves as a guide to help you monitor your home for mold growth in the future.

A written copy of mold cleaning techniques to help you understand what methods should be used and what you should not do in order to protect yourself, prevent the mold from spreading further, and help prevent recurrence. This information will also help you to determine whether these areas can be safely addressed by a homeowner or whether a professional remediator should be contacted.

This ancillary service is provided for a fee of $65.00.

Limited Mold and Moisture Inspection

Limited mold and moisture inspections are recommended when more significant or complex mold contamination situations are present in a building. These inspections are performed for individuals suffering from health problems believed to be related to poor indoor air quality, as well as, during real estate transactions, and litigation between buyers/sellers, tenants/landlords, or claimants and insurance companies.

Some of the areas typically covered in a limited mold and moisture inspection include visual examination for deficiencies in the building’s structure, plumbing system, ventilation system, heating and air conditioning components, fireplaces, household appliances, and a host of other items that can cause or contribute to mold contamination, and/or have an adverse effect on the indoor air quality.

A limited mold and moisture inspection can also be limited to one specific area if desired.

Depending on specific needs and client requests, the limited mold and moisture inspection may incorporate the use of diagnostic instruments and tools, radio and/or conductive moisture meter analysis, or fiber optic viewing.

While having a limited mold and moisture inspection performed, you may also request other optional services such as infrared building scanning, carbon monoxide testing, combustible gas leak detection, or pet urine scanning. If you already own the property or otherwise have permission to do so, you can also request invasive inspection or mold sampling with lab analysis.

Verbal Reporting

Unless otherwise requested , limited mold and moisture inspections are limited to verbal consultation only. Verbal consultation is customary for people suffering from symptoms or have visible mold problems and simply want to gain personal information to help them understand the causes and solutions for the mold problems in their homes. You are responsible for taking your own notes.

During verbal consultations you will receive a written copy of mold cleaning techniques to help you understand what methods should be used and what you should not do in order to protect yourself, prevent the mold from spreading further, and help prevent recurrence. This information will also help you to determine whether these areas can be safely addressed by a homeowner or whether a professional remediator should be contacted.

Written Reports

Technically written reports can also be requested. Written reports are customary during real estate transactions, when litigation is involved, or in other situations where it may be important to physically document all conditions to reduce liability or to provide valuable information for all parties who will be correcting deficiencies.

Each of these reports is custom written for the property inspected in order to cover the many variables discovered during an investigation.

Technically written reports will typically include photography and/or infrared images to add clarification to the discovered and reported conditions.

Written reports will also include recommendations for each of the discovered conditions to help assure that proper and practical methods are used during building corrections or mold remediation but do not include every possible mold remediation strategy.

Due to the great differences in homes and individual building conditions, these inspections are only performed on an hourly basis.

Limited mold and moisture inspections are provided for $140.00 per hour which applies to travel and investigation time, as well as, technical writing time when written reports are requested.

Bioaerosol Sampling

Bioaerosol and Visible Mold Sampling
In order to determine whether a particular mold is of an allergenic, pathogenic, or toxigenic type, sampling and lab analysis must be performed. Depending upon initial lab analysis, you may desire further culturing of viable spores to the subspecies.
The sampling of air and visible mold can be an integral factor in a mold investigation.
All bioaerosol and visible mold analysis is accompanied by written reports together with interpretation and descriptions of the discovered mold(s). If sampling services are requested, the time for collecting the samples is considered part of the inspection, however, the fees for the sampling media supplies and laboratory analysis of the samples are additional and are stated below.

Samples collected and analyzed including media supplies and lab fees are a follows:

1 @ $125.00 2 @ $210.00 3 @$295.00 Each additional sample @ $90.00 each.

Defacing Surfaces for Inspection and Sample Taking

Finished surfaces may need to be defaced in a minor way in order to increase the inspector’s ability to diagnose mold and/or moisture conditions and to collect samples. Small sections of building materials may need to be removed for the purposes of sampling those materials for attached fungal matter. Additionally, small holes may need to be drilled for fiber optic viewing into wall cavities, deep probe moisture analysis within wall cavities, or bioaerosol sample collecting from within wall cavities. These minor invasive measures are often performed to determine the degree of moisture or mold contamination inside of wall or ceiling cavities, and often eliminate the need for invasive demolition to see non-visible areas of buildings.

Moisture is Always Related to Mold

How does moisture enter a home?

Moisture can reveal itself just about anywhere throughout a home. Moisture intrusion can come from roof leaks, ice damming, appliances, leakage and seepage from plumbing fixtures, condensation, migrating vapor penetration, basement floor leaks, foundation leaks, failed caulking, loose flashings, improperly installed windows, defective siding, poor attic ventilation, and leaky tub and shower enclosures.

What are the evidences of moisture in a home?

Evidences most commonly include water stains on structural components and building materials within a home. A musty smell in a home is also a warning of an active moisture concern. Mold growth is another visual evidence of a moisture condition which should be looked into further. Loose wall tiles, cracked or missing grout and failed caulking in bath enclosures can also indicate the possibility of moisture damage within a wall. Oftentimes homeowners have no idea of hidden moisture problems until a trained inspector examines the home. When hidden moisture is discovered during the inspection, it may reveal a larger concern that is not readily visible.

How is moisture diagnosed?

Moisture is diagnosed using state-of-the-art technology. This can include noninvasive radio waves which penetrate surfaces to detect sub-level moisture conditions. This method works through most surfaces such as sheet rock, drywall, plaster, wood paneling, carpet, vinyl flooring and ceramic tiles. Suspect areas on ceilings, walls and floors are literally “scanned” for hidden moisture.

When moisture is encountered with the radio frequency method, conductivity pins are pressed into the surface to measure the moisture level. This helps to determine its significance to the structure and/or potential health concerns. This can also assist in tracing the moisture to its original source where it can be remediated.

In some cases electronic deep wall probes may be inserted through small, patchable holes to more accurately measure the moisture content deep within a wall cavity. Deep wall probes can also assist in tracing the moisture to its original source without the need to remove wall materials, as well as, determine the seriousness of the moisture level. Invasive moisture testing can yield more information than noninvasive evaluation.

Fiber optic viewing can also be used when needed to see the interior of a wall cavity or other area that is not readily viewable. Small holes are drilled through the walls and the fiber optic instrument is then inserted to inspect for moisture sources or possible mold contamination.

Lastly, infrared imaging can be used to quickly scan a building for moisture in real time, much as you would use a video camera. When moisture problems are detected, an image is taken to document the condition. (Please see the link above titled “Infrared Imaging.”)

What are the consequences of a moisture condition?

When active moisture is discovered in attics, basements, on walls or in the interiors of wall cavities, it is a sure sign of a problem desperately in need of a solution. Moisture problems do not get better on their own, they only get worse and more expensive to repair as time goes on. Sometimes what can appear to be a very minor problem on the outside of a wall can turn into a very major repair problem on the inside of the wall. The first concern is to the property itself regarding the rotting of building components. The second concern, and perhaps the most important is the concern for the health of the occupants. If not promptly corrected and dried, moisture intrusion can lead to serious mold contamination problems in as little as 48 hours.

Who should have a moisture inspection?

If you are purchasing or living in a home that has any evidences of moisture intrusion, you should seriously consider having those suspect areas tested by ordering the Limited Mold and Moisture Inspection mentioned above.

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