Why Is A Mold Inspection Almost Always Unnecessary If There Is Visible Mold
Dont you need to know what kind of mold it is so you can determine whether its toxic? No. For starters, so called Black Mold is a term that is badly misused and misunderstood as we already discussed in our other industry shakeup article on toxic black mold.
Secondly, once you already see obvious, visible mold, knowing what type it is is usually irrelevant because at this point, you or a mold professional simply need to get rid of the mold following proper Mold Remediation and Mold Removal Principles.
Doesnt the type of mold matter in determining the right way to properly remove the mold? No. In fact, once visible mold is present, the same Mold Remediation Principles referenced above are followed to remove it regardless of the color, species, etc.
If this all sounds too hard to believe, especially coming from a mold company, dont take our word for it. Here is what the Environmental Protection Agency says verbatim:
Notice the EPA says that not only is mold testing usually unnecessary when visible mold is present, but they also tell you that there are no federal guidelines for determining the amount of mold spores that is safe or dangerous. This is also something we tell our clients all the time, and by now you can probably guess is a rather important fact that most other companies will of course not bother to reveal!
Homebuilder Construction And Improvement Exemption
1. Is all mold assessment/remediation done on a one- or two-family home under the homebuilders warranty exempt from the mold rules even if the builder contracts out the work?
Yes, all mold assessment/remediation done by the builder under a home builders warranty either at the time of construction or later at the time of repair is exempt and may be done without a license ). The exemption applies whether the mold assessment/remediation is done by the individual builder, by the builders employee or by a subcontractor. However, if the person doing the work is licensed to perform mold assessment or remediation, the rules do apply.
After initial construction is complete, mold assessment/remediation may be done by the unlicensed builder only if done at the same time as repair work.
2. If a builder hires a licensed mold remediator, to whom does the remediator provide a Consumer Mold Information Sheet ? To whom does the remediator provide the certificate of mold damage remediation ?
The law and rules require the remediator to provide the CMIS to the client who hired the remediator , and to the property owner if different, prior to the initiation of any mold related activity. The remediator must also provide the CMDR to the property owner, even if hired by the builder.
3. If a builder, the builders employees, or subcontractors conduct remediation work under the homebuilder construction and improvement exemption, can the unlicensed workers give the homeowner a CMDR?
Do I Really Need Mold Remediation Because Of Discoloration
The best way to tell there is mold in your home is to see it, or at least see its effects. It comes in different sizes and colors, so keep that in mind when looking for signs of mold. Depending on which organic material it thrives in, mold can cause discoloration in its surroundings. If you see discoloration, make sure its not efflorescence from water before calling pros for help.
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Are There Professionals That Perform Mold Cleanup
Yes. You can find professionals who perform mold cleanup by looking under Fire and Water Damage Restoration in the Yellow Pages of a telephone book. You also may search for professionals on the Internet. The Institute for Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification and the Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration allow consumers to perform a search for their members online. The results of a typical search will include names of professionals, geographic location, and a telephone number.
What Is The Difference Between Mold And Mildew
Mildew refers to certain kinds of mold or fungus. The term mildew is often used generically to refer to mold growth, usually with a flat growth habit.
Molds include all species of microscopic fungi that grow in the form of multicellular filaments, called hyphae. Molds can thrive on any organic matter, including clothing, leather, paper, and the ceilings, walls and floors of homes with moisture management problems. Mildew often lives on shower walls, windowsills, and other places where moisture levels are high. There are many species of molds. In unaired places, such as basements, they can produce a strong musty odor.
Read more about mold at
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Does Carpet Cause Indoor Air Quality Problems In Schools
Carpet use in schools provides a decrease in noise, falls, and injuries. IAQ problems can be encountered with carpet and many other materials if the school has any type of water intrusion or moisture problem, such as a leaky roof. If carpeting remains damp, it can become a primary source for microbial growth, which frequently results in adverse health effects. Carpet and other furnishings that become significantly water damaged should be removed and discarded or steam cleaned and thoroughly dried before reinstallation.
New carpet systems , like most new interior finishing materials, will off-gas VOCs for a period of time after being installed. These emissions can be significantly reduced, although not completely eliminated, in the first 72 hours through the use of proper ventilation techniques. With any floor covering system, low VOC emission products should be selected and used in school applications.
Read more about carpet at www.epa.gov/iaq/schooldesign/controlling.html#Carpet
Mold Testing & Inspection
Performing Mold testing and inspection prior to performing mold remediation allows us to provide homeowners with a clear picture of the problem at hand. Through testing and inspection, we identify the source of the problem while also providing a baseline for post-mold remediation verification testing. Additionally, we provide preventive recommendations to help reduce potential future mold growth.
Read Also: What Causes Black Mold In Toilet Bowl
What Are Ten Things I Need To Know About Mold
Read more about mold at
Mold Remediation When Do You Really Need It
Molds are a common occurrence in many homes and can pose a serious health hazard. Mold replicates by producing spores, which are microscopic cells that spread easily through the air. Not only do molds produce irritants, allergens, and even toxic substances, but they can also trigger respiratory problems. Conditions such as asthma, for example, are worsened by mold spores when inhaled.
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Finally The Difference Between Mold Removal And Mold Remediation
Within the industry and among mold professionals, mold removal, mold mitigation, mold abatement and mold remediation are often used interchangeably along with other terms such as mold cleaning and mold restoration. The significant difference is in the procedure.
While mold removal is the process of removing the mold, it does not address identifying the source. However, mold remediation centers on all actions taken to combat mold infestation and return mold level to the point that is not dangerous to the health of inhabitants and the buildings structure. Mold remediation will identify the cause of active mold growth and controlling how much mold is present.
While some degree of mold removal is included in the mold remediation process, mold remediation is an extensive process that focuses on problematic areas of infestation. The series of actions involved in remediation effectively return mold levels to a natural point that is safe for both the structure and its occupants.
A complete mold remediation procedure is what keeps potentially harmful mold problems away.
This article was originally published in Dec-2020 and was last updated in Oct-2021.
Do I Need A Mold Remediation Professional
The answer to this question depends on a lot of factors, such as how big the mold problem is, what surface the mold is growing on, and how handy you are. But, in general, the answer is that the smaller the mold problem, the less likely you are to need a professional.
Mold problems go hand in hand with water problems, so when youve got a water leak or flooding that isnt taken care of quickly, mold is usually soon to follow. But it doesnt just take a catastrophic water event to bring on mold. For example, almost every home I have been to has some mold growing in the bathroom.
Now, Im no doctor, but Id stake my reputation on stating that common bathroom mold in your tub or shower isnt going to kill you. But lets face it its gross, its unattractive, and it doesnt give you a feeling of cleanliness. The reason its so prominent in homes is because the bathroom is a high humidity environment, and most people dont take the time to properly ventilate it and dry it out.
But do you need to spend a lot of money on a mold professional to get rid of bathroom mold in your tub or shower? No! It is completely unnecessary. Any moderately handy person can buy some over the counter mold cleaner and clean their tile and grout and replace their caulking all for the grand total price of under $10! Just make sure to ventilate your bathroom going forward, so all your hard work wont be wasted.
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Health Symptoms That May Indicate Mold Problems
One of the most critical yet unrecognized signs that you need mold remediation is the adverse effect that mold has on human health. Breathing mold spores can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
- Chest tightness
- Difficulty breathing
Because these symptoms resemble the common cold, a mold problem may not be considered as the source. If you or your family members seem to catch colds often, a mold issue could be the real culprit. Inhalation of mold can even bring on asthma attacks for those who suffer from the condition.
Long-term mold exposure to toxic molds may cause including cancer, pneumonitis, neurotoxicity, and other serious illnesses.
What Is Involved With Mold Remediation
The goal of a mold remediation is not just to remove visible signs of mold and render any remaining spores dormant and therefore harmless, but also to find and address the source of dampness that has originally enabled the infestation to occur.
Heres how professional mold removal experts usually do it:
- Step #1: Handle the water problem. Pinpoint and deal with the source of moisture , therefore preventing the mold from regrowing in the same area.
- Step #2: Cordon off the affected area. The moldy room or rooms have to be sealed off from the rest of the property to prevent cross-contamination.
- Step #3: Mist the infested area to minimize the amount of dust and mold spores present.
- Step #4: Gather wet or mold-damaged materials, put them in heavy plastic bags, tie the bags closed, and dispose of them.
- Step #5: Cleanup. All moldy surfaces are scrubbed clean using an antimicrobial solution. To keep from damaging them, wooden surfaces and non-porous materials should be scrubbed down with a wire brush and then wiped clean using disposable wipes.
- Step #6: Visually check the cleaned rooms to ensure there are no signs of contamination or debris.
- Step #7: Thoroughly dry the area to remove any lingering moisture. Fans, dehumidifiers, and increased indoor air temperature can all be used to speed up the process.
- Step #8: Replace any items and materials that had to be thrown out.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Black Mold In Shower Caulk
Youre Experiencing Specific Health Symptoms
Though its not always the case, mold exposure can sometimes lead to allergies. If you notice the symptoms of such allergies, you could very well be exposed to mold in your home.
Symptoms to look out for include a sore throat, a cough, watery eyes, excess sneezing, and breathing difficulties. Other symptoms to keep in mind include congestion and wheezing.
Do I Really Need Mold Remediation
Mold accumulation is a serious concern for anyone who owns a building, as it can impact the indoor air quality and the safety and comfort of occupants. Its important for you to understand what mold is and be prepared to address its growth within your home or business.
So, lets get straight to it do you really need mold remediation?
When it comes to being a responsible real estate owner, property maintenance and upkeep are extremely important. Oversight ranges from making sure that the grounds or lawns are regularly trimmed to making sure that certain systems, like ventilation, heating and air filtration, are functional. Another important aspect of property care is making sure that there are no maintenance issues that can make the building an unsafe place to be. Certain recurring problems can negatively affect a home or commercial building, such as a pest infestation or the presence of mold.
Recommended Reading: How To Handle Black Mold
Is Mold Really That Dangerous
Mold exposure can be dangerous to those who are sensitive to inhaling its spores. For others, it can cause allergy-like symptoms.
The degree of danger of mold exposure can change depending on how sensitive an individual is to its spores, how long the person has been exposed, and the extent of the mold infestation of the property.
To limit the chance that exposed individuals will suffer severe and lasting health effects as a result of exposure to mold, it is best to begin mold remediation as soon as growth is suspected.
I Have Mold In My Apartment And My Landlord Wont Address The Situation Can You Help
IDPH does not have the authority to enforce codes that define and protect indoor air quality. We can provide information and recommendations to you and your landlord for addressing the mold, but we cannot require your landlord to implement the recommendations that we provide. In fact, we often refer citizens back to an enforcement entity within their local government, such as a Department of Building and Zoning, for assistance since some mold problems may result from building code violations. Persons in incorporated areas should contact their city government while persons in unincorporated areas should contact their county government.
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Does Mold Have To Be Removed Professionally
Caution should be taken when removing mold from your home. Arguments against professional mold removal is that it is costly and at the end of it all, mold must be removed for it is harmful. Mold poses as a health risk to both animals and human beings, so it is ideal that you get a specialist to remove it and completely eradicate it.
Professional mold remediation is more effective for the right tools, gargets and cleaning agents are used. There is always minimal exposure of people to the mold spores as the vacuum used collects all the mold spores from the air.
Professional removal of mold spores also focusses on the causes of mold. The main cause many times is the moisture factor, which shall be eliminated.
It is also ideal for having a professional to remove mold from your home especially if the mold has spread over a large area.
Mold often times mold grows in hidden damp areas. This makes it hard to be discovered at early stages, a professional shall be able to remove all the mold including the one that you cannot physically notice.
A professional shall also be able to assess the extent of damage caused by the mold and advice accordingly. Sometimes the affected areas need to be replaced, it is hard for you to determine this.
Why Is Mold Growing In My 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.
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I See Mold Do I Really Need A Mold Professional
Home> Inspections & Testing> I See Mold. Do I Really Need a Mold Professional?
If you have amold problem, youre probably asking yourself two questions:
Read on to find out.
