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Mold and Moisture in Your Home

 

Mold

Mold is omnipresent in the environment. The problem with mold is when it occurs in high quantities and there are ongoing water and/or high moisture problems. Molds can cause allergenic, pathogenic, or toxic reactions. The problem with mold is not the mold, but rather the water/ moisture source. The picture below is the result of a water leak at the main water supply.
 

 
  EPA Mold Guide
 
  Mold On Drywall
 


From the EPA Document
 “Mold, Moisture and your Home”

Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores. The spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.

 

Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause health problems. They can be immediate or delayed. 

It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust. The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back.

 
  Mold Air Cassettes
 

Mold Sampling
Unlike other environmental items concerning real estate concerns such as radon, lead based paint, asbestos, underground leaking storage tanks, and asbestos; there is no action level for mold. This is because mold has many of the attributes of allergens. Some people are allergic to cats, and other people will have multiple cats.

There are two types of sampling for mold: 1) qualitative and 2) quantitative.
Qualitative sampling is to determine what molds are presents.
Qualitative sampling indicates the amounts of mold present.
We provide both types.
 

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