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Molds are found in damp areas around humidifiers, attics and crawl spaces under homes, basements, bathrooms, house plants, HVAC ducts, damp ceilings and walls, wet carpets and windows. They can cause damage to most building materials. Condensation from steam and poor ventilation is the biggest cause in bathrooms and around clothes dryers or stoves when they are not properly vented to the outside. The most common are Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicilium.
Some molds or fungus produce toxins to protect their environment. The toxins or fungus, when inhaled are a significant cause and effect of many health conditions like common allergies, asthmatic reactions, coughing, depression, diarrhea, headaches, irritability, fatigue, memory loss, respiratory problems, sinusitis, sneezing, sore throat, weak immunity and wheezing.
The Mayo Clinic has determined that fungus causes nearly every case of chronic sinusitis, the most common chronic disease in the nation. The symptoms of chronic sinusitis include: inflammation of the nose and sinus, stuffiness, nasal blockages, thick mucus and post-nasal drip. There is no known medical treatment but there are alternatives.
There are thousands of fungus and one of the worst is called Stachybotrys chartarum, which causes cold or flu-like symptoms but they all have the potential of causing many other health effects. The mycotoxin produced by this fungus is carcinogenic and suppresses and affects the immune system, lymphoid tissue, bone marrow, liver and kidney.
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Understanding Types of Mold
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Allergenic molds are normally not dangerous in low amounts, but they can cause allergenic or asthmatic symptoms such as wheezing or runny nose. These molds can be abated safely with the assistance of gloves and a disposable particulate-removing respirator.
Mycotoxic molds can cause serious health effects in humans and animals. Health effects range from short-term irration to immunosuppression to cancer and even death. If any toxic molds are identified, it is suggested that you seek advise from an Industrial Hygienist or other mold professional for guidance. The average homeowner should NOT attempt the abatement of these types of mold.
Pathogenic molds can cause serious health effects in persons with with suppressed immune systems, those taking chemotherapy, those with HIV/AIDS, or autoimmunity disorders. If any pathogenic molds are identified, it is suggested that you seek advise from an Industrial Hygienist or other mold professional for guidance. The average homeowner should NOT attempt the abatement of these types of mold.
Hyphae & hyphal elements refer to single, unidentifiable fragments of mold. Although they may not be traceable to a specific mold species, the fragments themselves may be responsible for allergic reactions in some people and may indicate pervious or current growth event. Smut spores are agricultural spores from outside sources. Ascospores and basidiospores are clusters of spores that may not be easily identified as per specific species, but may still represent a mold problem in the home.
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How do you come in Contact with Mold?
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Mold spores are found in all homes and offices, and grow rapidly from excess Humidity. The following are some sources of indoor moisture that may cause mold problems in a home or office: flooding, leaky roofs, humidifiers, damp basements or crawl spaces, constant plumbing leaks, house plants, steam from cooking, shower/bath steam and leaks, wet cloths, bathroom towels, pets, sweaty sneakers indoors, dirty HVAC systems, spilled liquids on carpeted surfaces and clothes dryers vented indoors.
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Causes of Indoor Mold Growth
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High moisture is the major contributor to indoor microbiological activity (mold growth). This is due to nutrients for spore germination and growth being readily available in most household constituents. These household constituents can be dirt, dust, wood, paper, adhesives, acoustical fiber, paint textiles, stored material, carpets, floors, and much more. The actual germination of fungal spores and mold growth is influenced by several factors.
These factors are as follows:
Time Reaming Wet:
The longer the materials stay wet, the higher probability of mold growth.
Water Source Contamination:
The greater the water sources, the greater the microbiological activity. (Ex. Loose toilet, pipe condensation, pipe leaks, foundation leaks, crawl space leaks, ice dams, and etc.)
Substrate:
Fungi prefer natural materials. Some fungi will grow on almost anything.
Light:
Most molds thrive in dark places. (Ex. closets, attics, basements, inside walls, behind wallpaper, behind refrigerators.)
Temperature:
Temperatures between 68°F and 86°F are the optimal temperatures for microbiological activity.
Air Velocity:
Microbiological activity is preferred in stagnant areas. This is why you see more molds in closets, attics and inside walls.
Nutrients:
Organic material such as drywall, wood, ceilings, adhesives, paper, plasters, leather, and cloth ar ideal for growth. (Ex. no desirably clean homes have more dust and debris than that of clean homes and will most certainly produce more microbiological growth.)
Humidity:
Anything above 50% RH (relative humidity) is desirable for mold growth.
Moisture:
When substrates are wet or damp the opportunity for microbiological activity is great. Mositure content 18% or greater can cause mold growth. (Ex. Basement drywall, basement wood paneling, drop ceiling material after it gets wet, cardboard boxes on the basement floor etc.)
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Warning Signs of Possible Mold Growth
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Tree Roots have been known to infiltrate into storm and sanitary lines. When these conditions arise, sewer back up and basement wall moisture are usually the outcome. Tree roots also have a tendency to damage pavements and foundations, which could lead to moisture in basements. We strongly urge you to question the past owner if the past seepage or sewer backup has existed, if it has, future maintenance will be probable, and bio-hazards may exist. Moss, mold or mildew on the foundation or on the foundation grading is an indication of poor grading, shading, overflowing gutters, runoff, or other conditions that allows this area to be wet, moist, or humid.
Roofs are hazardous and dangerous to physically walk on. Your inspection should be only based on what is visible from the ground level with or without binoculars. A roof may show evidence of past pr present leaks or may soon develop leaks that can cause mold growth. The condition of a flat, metal, or built up roof often cannot be determined unless it is possible for you to closely inspect its surface. Poor roof venting and sometimes tree shading can decrease the overall life expectancy of the roofing system and cause mold growth. Shingles that are uplifting or have popping nails are indicators of potentially undesirable attic moisture conditions. Shingles that are clawing or fish mouthing are indicators of poor attic ventilation.
Efflorescence (white powdery substance) and staining of the chimney is an indication of moisture penetrating the system.
Chimney Flashing, roof penetrations, other flashing, changes in roof elevation, all have the potential of future maintenance when downspouts and gutters are not properly maintained on garages and dwellings, poor drainage can cause seeping into the dwelling. All gutters and downspouts should be free of debris and properly installed. Many time, past property owners disconnected downspouts at the base and install splash type blocks. These types of repairs may be indicators of past seepage, which the present owner should disclose. Penetrations at vents, Chimney
Attic Temperature that is greater then 30 degrees from exterior ambient temperature should have venting or an attic fan installed. When mold/mildew or dark staining is seen in accessible locations, on or in the sheathing, deterioration may exist. These conditions may be the cause of: condensation during winter months, ice dams, poorly vented bathrooms or kitchen vents, poor attic venting, insulation choking air flow, roof or penetration seepage, and repairs are advised. Most attics are only partially inspected due to constraints such as height, tight, claustrophobic conditions, missing flooring, area cluttered, covered, and difficult entry. At the time of inspection, you only inspect a small sample of structural members and a small sample of sheathing. Attic moisture stains should be monitored for future activity and repaired if active, so further damage or mold growth will not occur. Moisture stains may appear to be dry at the time of inspection, due to; dry weather conditions, hot summer heat, and winter months.
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Disclosures: Ask if any past seepage of flooding existed from: sewers, storms, and run-off. Basements and crawl spaces have a high probability of containing humid conditions that are desirable for mold growth. Wood products, cellulose products, boxes, paneling, and drywall are not recommended in basements that do not have controlled moisture and humidity. Generally, if you see black mold on the bottom of cardboard boxes you may have a serious mold condition. A high probability exists that mold may be behind drywall or wood paneling if a basement is not 100% dry. Any wood paneling, drywall, or ceiling tiles that are contact with water, high moisture, flooding, or seepage should be removed within 24 hours after getting wet. Furthermore, we recommend you remove at least an additional 12 inches of material past and away from the moisture stains or water-damaged area.
Humidifiers on furnaces if not properly used will cause condensation on sheathing in the attic. The condensation will result in a black mold appearance. Mold growth on attic sheathing is not desirable and not healthy if mold spores from the attic enter the dwelling. We recommend sealing off attics with these conditions and calling professionals to help in the remediation or interim control progress. Leaking basements and leaking crawl spaces can also cause this black mold in attic sheathing, other high humidity causing variables that exist in the dwelling. Humidifiers, furthermore, are known to contain microbiological growth within their operating housing. We recommend these areas be properly cleaned periodically. Ductwork in dwelling has a high probability to contain dust, debris and possible microbiological growth. We recommend to have all ductwork professionally cleaned. Many older homes have return air ducts not connected to heating systems; return air generally must come from the crawl space or basement. Generally, basement or crawl locations can be wet, moist, musty, moldy, etc. We recommend connecting the cold air returns to the furnace. The furnace filters need to be cleaned or replaced periodically according to the manufacturer specifications. We recommend installing HEPA or high-density filters to help in the control of filtering out microbiological airborne particles, dust, etc.
The presence of mold, water damage, or musty odors should be addressed immediately. In all instances, any source(s) of water must be stopped and the extent of water damage determined. Water damaged materials should be dried and repaired. The purpose of this section is to provide home inspectors with a background to recognize problems in a home that can lead to the growth of mold. Mold is a structural and environmental problem. Some mold defects can't be seen and will only be detected through sampling.
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