Can Mold Spread From One Apartment To Another
Unlike houses, apartments are not usually self-contained living environments. Apartments exist as interconnected units with common ventilation and plumbing systems.
As a result, if one apartment has a mold and mildew problem, it can easily spread to other apartments through the air in HVAC systems.
This means that even if you remove mold from your apartment, it could still come back if other apartments in the building remain contaminated. In addition, its very difficult to find the source of the contamination especially if you dont have the help of a professional mold inspector.
Did you know?
Only 8% of living rooms we have tested didnt have presence of mold?! Find out more exciting mold stats and facts inside our mold statistics page.
Does Insurance Cover Mold Remediation
Dont presume your homeowners insurance will pay to fix your mold problems. Insurance typically pays if the problem results from an emergency already covered on your policy, like a burst pipe, but not if mold resulted from deferred maintenance, persistent moisture or seepage, or from floodwaters .
Check with your insurance agent to see if your particular mold problem is covered.
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Who Is At Risk Of Mold
According to the WHO, 15 percent of houses in cold climates show signs of dampness, and about 5 percent have signs of mold problems. In warm climates, however, it is estimated that 20 percent of houses have dampness, and 25 percent have mold. Dampness is most likely to occur in overcrowded houses or those that lack appropriate ventilation, heating and insulation. Because symptoms of mold infection are similar to other respiratory ailments, they are often misdiagnosed.
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Finding The Right Mold Inspector
Look for a contractor with specific experience and expertise in mold inspections and remediation. Ask them how many mold remediations theyâve done in the last six months. Call around your area and get a few estimates. There might be a wide price range, so shopping around could save you a few hundred dollars.
Check your state health department or labor department to see if mold inspectors are required to have a special license or certification. If so, you obviously want to make sure you only work with a properly certified contractor.
Where Mold Is Found
Mold comes in various colors and shapes. The villainswith names like stachybotrys, penicillium, aspergilus, paecilomyces, and fusariumare black, white, green, or gray. Some are powdery, others shiny. Some molds look and smell disgusting others are barely seenhidden between walls, under floors and ceilings, or in less accessible spots, such as basements and attics.
Mold often grows on water-soaked materials, such as wall paneling, paint, fabric, ceiling tiles, newspapers, or cardboard boxes. Humidity sets up prime growing conditions for mold. Buildings in naturally humid climates of Texas, California, and the Southern U.S. have experienced more mold problems than residences in drier climates. But whatever the climate, mold can grow as long as moisture is present.
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What Is The Best Way To Choose A Mold Inspection Firm And Save Thousands Of Dollars
1800 Mold Inspector is a simple method of finding a licensed and reliable mold inspector to meet your needs. The mold can recur later on it can infect other areas in your house if it is not removed properly or taken into consideration. Mold can sometimes take over tiles in the bathroom , or cover a carpet in the living room. When this happens, mold inspection becomes a pressing situation. 1800mold can help you! Professionals will offer their opinion and inspect your home for the best solution. An appropriate solution will be suggested by our professionals to remove or treatment to ensure things dont get worse all without cost!
If youre looking for methods to remove mold or would like to speak directly to a health inspector or specialist frequently eager to speak with customers about their specific problem, call 1800 Mold Inspector today. The process of examining for mold is extremely important and dangerous work. Its not something that we would recommend you attempt at home, as it could cause a larger issue that would be difficult for the insurance company to take care of.
Who To Call For Mold Inspection
- Who to Call for Mold Inspection?
A certified and experienced firm well versed in moisture management and mold remediation. The best inspectors are well experienced in mold remediation and know where the mold hides.
About Victor Coppola
Victor Coppola is a Building Biologist with decades of diverse environmental experience spanning natural resource management and contaminated sites to Indoor Air Quality and building hygiene matters. He focuses on the three most prevalent issues degrading today’s built environment: Moisture Odor & Mold . Mr. Coppola and his Team are sought out by individuals and professionals concerned about IAQ to those actually suffering from Biotoxin Illness. His hybrid blend of environmental interests and services enable him to give a unique perspective into today’s changing environment.Think your home is killing you, better call Victor and his Team at GreenWorks.
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Presence Of Mold After A Severe Weather Event:
- Excess moisture and standing water contribute to the growth of mold in homes and other buildings.
- Steps can be taken to prevent mold growth if wet items are cleaned and dried within 24 to 48 hours. Make sure you only enter your home once it is safe.
Signs of Mold:
- Mold can be recognized by sight or smell or present no signs at all
- Sight
- Smell
People at Greatest Risk for Health Effects from Mold:
- If you are allergic to mold, or you have asthma, allergies, or other breathing conditions, being around mold may make your condition worse.
- If you have a chronic lung condition or a weak immune system , you could be more susceptible to mold infections in your lungs.
Possible Health Effects of Mold Exposure:
- People who are sensitive to mold may have a stuffy nose, irritated eyes, wheezing, or skin irritation.
- People who are allergic to mold may have difficulty breathing or have shortness of breath.
- People with weakened immune systems or chronic lung diseases may develop mold infections in their lungs.
- If you or your family members have health problems after exposure to mold and you think that mold is affecting your health, please contact your doctor or other health care provider.
Cleaning Wet or Moldy Items after a Severe Weather Event:
Additional Information and Resources:
Mold Inspection Vs Mold Treatment
The state of Florida mandates that the same company that tests for mold cannot treat any mold that may be found on your property. This is for the protection of consumers health and safety and to make sure you are getting the most accurate and honest service. Air Quality Assessors specializes in the detection, testing, and assessment of mold. Our three-pronged approach to mold evaluation guarantees that your home will be thoroughly vetted. If any mold is found, we will then refer you to one of our trusted mold removal partners who will work with you to make sure your property is completely clear of any damaging fungi.
At Air Quality Assessors, our mold testing specialists are trained and certified as Florida Licensed Mold Inspectors with the training and experience necessary to find the past and current mold growth. Not only do we check for mold, but if you have a mold problem you most likely have other hidden issues you should get inspected.
Our specialties include
- Mold inspection
- Bedbug DNA testing on mattresses and other surfaces
a few things youll want to know about mold inspections with AQA:
We look for both past and current growth. Past mold indicates a water problem which may return if there is a specific problem like a recurring leak.
We inspect both inside and outside your home. This is to find places where hidden mold can cause structural problems like inside walls and crawlspaces.
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What Affects The Cost Of A Mold Inspection
There are two main factors that affect the cost of a mold inspection: the size of the house being inspected and whether or not the inspector has to remove or destroy parts of the property, such as drywall or paneling, to complete the inspection.
Quite simply, a large house with a lot of square footage is going to cost more to inspect because the inspection is going to take longer. An âinvasiveâ inspection involving digging through drywall or digging under a crawlspace is also going to cost extra because of the extra time and work involved.
Is Mold Damage Covered By Insurance
Mold damage may or may not be covered by your homeowner’s insurance. It may be covered by insurance when an item already covered under your homeowners insurance breaks accidentally for example, if your plumbing suddenly ruptures and water floods your house, the homeowners insurance will cover part or all of the costs for the plumbing repair and any mold remediation costs necessary as a direct result of the water damage.
But you may not be able to get insurance to pay for your mold remediation costs if the damage is a result of your neglect for example, if youve had a slow leak under your bathroom sink for years and have ignored the issue. If the insurer can determine that the mold damage is a result of your negligence, they likely wont cover mold remediation costs.
Also, most homeowners insurance will usually not cover mold remediation costs after a flood unless you have a special insurance rider covering your home in case of a flood.
To help prevent mold damage, always keep humidity levels in your house between 30 percent and 60 percent, clean up water spills and damp areas right away, and ensure you have exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom. And as soon as you suspect there’s mold in your home, contact the best mold removal experts near you.
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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!
How To Remove Mold From Bare Drywall
If you spot mold on your drywall, it may indicate a larger mold problem in the stud space behind the drywall. And, mold on drywall has already penetrated the surface, so you cant simply wipe it clean. You will need to cut it out and replace it in this case. Follow these steps:
About Hays + Sons
The compassionate, experienced, and trusted residential restoration experts at Hays + Sons are just a phone call away, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
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How Do Mold Problems Start
Mold spores require numerous items to help them grow. They need a food source like wood, cotton or drywall as well as darkness, warmth and oxygen. Water is yet another vital component. This means that mold problems tend to crop up in areas that have been damaged by water or where a hidden leak is occurring. Frequently, mold is found in out-of-the-way places like beneath floors, inside walls, within air conditioning ducts or in ceilings.
This means that people may not know that they have a mold problem until they begin to notice mysterious medical symptoms.
Some of the most common causes of mold problems include leaky pipes, roof leaks, condensation, poor ventilation, flooding, dampness in basements and water that collects around the buildings foundation.
Protect Others And The Building
If you decide to clean the mold yourself, it is important to protect yourself and the other people in the building. When cleaning a large amount of mold, consider the following:
- Remove furnishings and items from the work area.
- Enclose and seal mold material in plastic before carrying them through the home.
- Cover air supply and return vents in the work area.
- Use a fan to pull contaminated air out of the work area and exhaust it outdoors.
- Consider renting an air scrubber to operate in the area .
- Remove the outer layer of work clothing inside the work area and wash separately, or bag and discard the clothing.
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How To Tell Whether You Need Home Mold Inspection
At Moldman, we believe in giving the public all the mold information at our disposal. One important piece of information that so many mold companies would rather keep secret is this: If you already see visible mold, mold testing is usually unnecessary, and you simply need to remove it following industry standard guidelines. We detail this in our blog Do You Really Need a Mold Inspection?
However, there are still instances where people may still be suspicious of mold without having visual confirmation. To help those who have their suspicions, weve compiled a list of the eight situations we see most often that warrant mold testing below.
Indoor Mold After A Weather Event
Many South Carolina residents are concerned about indoor mold as a result of severe weather disasters. As part of our commitment to assist those who have been affected, DHEC has compiled the following information to guide decisions regarding mold in homes and workplaces.
If you’re experiencing any issues with flooding, below is an important resource number to be aware of.
- Mold Hotline: for general information.
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Taking Care Of Your Mold Problem
1. If you have been suffering anyillnesses that wouldnt go away like allergies, itchy eyes, sore throat,headaches, fatigue, etc., go see your doctor and explain to him that you havemold in your home. Knowledge about the mold will help him to correctly treatyou. Here is more on the symptoms of mold exposure.
2. Have your home tested by a trainedmold tester. Many people make the mistake of cleaning up the mold withouttesting. It is important to know the type of mold your dealing with, and howbad the problem is. Most mold testers are engineers so they can give your homea thorough inspection to find all the mold. If its a small problem they mayrecommend cleaning it yourself, and will give you advice on removing it. If itslarge job and a removal service needs to be hired, they will oversee the cleanup and supervise the removal process.When the cleanup is done, they will come back and test again to make sure theremoval was properly done. Make sure if you hire a removal company that youdont pay them until the final testing comes back showing the home is clean.For a list of licensed mold testers in your area, follow the link.
4. Contact your insurance company andfind out if mold removal is covered in your policy. In many cases it is,depending on the cause of the mold. This article on homeowners insurance andmold explains it well.
10. Be proactive in the future aboutmold prevention. Here is more information on preventing mold.
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Growth In Buildings And Homes
Mold growth in buildings generally occurs as fungi colonize porous building materials, such as wood. Many building products commonly incorporate paper, wood products, or solid wood members, such as paper-covered drywall, wood cabinets, and insulation. Interior mold colonization can lead to a variety of health problems as microscopic airborne reproductive spores, analogous to tree pollen, are inhaled by building occupants. High quantities of indoor airborne spores as compared to exterior conditions are strongly suggestive of indoor mold growth. Determination of airborne spore counts is accomplished by way of an air sample, in which a specialized pump with a known flow rate is operated for a known period of time. To account for background levels, air samples should be drawn from the affected area, a control area, and the exterior.
The air sampler pump draws in air and deposits microscopic airborne particles on a culture medium. The medium is cultured in a laboratory and the fungal genus and species are determined by visual microscopic observation. Laboratory results also quantify fungal growth by way of a spore count for comparison among samples. The pump operation time is recorded and when multiplied by pump flow rate results in a specific volume of air obtained. Although a small volume of air is actually analyzed, common laboratory reports extrapolate the spore count data to estimate spores that would be present in a cubic meter of air.
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