Mold and Air Quality Inspection


Non-invasive examination to identify the location and extent of the mold hazard in a structure.


Mold…Literally, a growing concern. National media attention has alerted the public to the destructive and possibly toxic dangers of hidden mold spores that could affect their family’s health and their homes. EPA studies indicate that air levels of indoor pollutants may be two to three times higher than outdoor levels. Mold, the most dangerous offender of all, often goes undetected because of its invisibility. Most people spend as much as 90% of their time indoors and are not aware of the health hazards created by this pollutant. You owe it to yourself and your family to minimize your exposure to mold spores in the indoor environment. We recommend testing for mold today!

NOTE: If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean the mold, but do not fix the water problem, the mold will grow back.




How can someone be exposed to MOLD?
There are several ways you can become exposed to mold:

Breathing in the spores from the air.
Skin contact from handling an item that has mold growing on it.
Eating without properly washing your hands after handling moldy objects.


Can MOLD cause health problems?
The most common symptoms of mold exposure are runny nose, eye irritation, cough, congestion, and aggravation of asthma.

Mold has the potential to cause health problems and even make a home uninhabitable. However, everyone is effected differently when in contact with mold. The mold that may not bother the seller may severely effect the buyer. Some mold can produce allergens, irritants and, in come cases, potentially toxic chemical substances known as mycotoxins. People who are sensitive and exposed to mycotoxins can become ill. Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. People diagnosed with allergies and asthma may be very sensitive to mold. Mold can cause asthma attacks. Others at risk may include: infants, children, the elderly, immune compromised patients, pregnant women and individuals with existing respiratory conditions.

With exposure, even in small amounts, mold may cause:

Itching or irritation of the nose, eyes, throat, or skin
Mysterious skin rashes
Sinus infections or congestion/ Sinusitis (runny nose)
Respiratory problems (Sneezing and coughing)
Upper and lower respiratory infections.
Fatigue
Frequent headaches
Trouble concentrating, memory lapses, confusion
Mood swings, anxiety, depression
Chronic aches and pains
Digestive problems
ADHD-like symptoms in children

Where is MOLD found in the home?
Mold can be found in several areas in the home environment It appears most often in moist areas as little black circles or thread-like white objects. It is usually accompanied with a musty-type odor. Outdoors, mold plays a natural part in the environment by breaking down dead organic matter such as dead trees or fallen leaves. Mold reproduces by means of microscopic spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through the indoor and outdoor air. Mold begins to grow indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet or damp. Mold will not grow without water or moisture. Therefore, it is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.

Some examples of places where mold can be found inside the home include:

Attics, Basements, Kitchens (bottom of fridge) around bathroom vanities,
washer and dryer area.
The underside of carpets and pads.
The surface of walls behind furniture (where condensation forms).
Ceilings and the top side of ceiling tiles.
Front and backside of dry wall, wallpaper or paneling.
Inside HVAC systems and ductwork.
Clothing.
Food.

How can I reduce or eliminate MOLD inside of my home?
It is impossible to completely eliminate all mold and mold spores indoors. Mold will always be found floating in the air and in the house dust. Indoor mold growth can be prevented by controlling the water and moisture indoors.

The following may prevent or reduce indoor mold growth:

Repair any water leaks.
Provide good air circulation.
All HVAC systems should have a good electrostatic filter on the return.
Use bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room exhaust fans.
Insulate and ventilate attic and crawl space areas.
Clean, dry or remove items that are damaged by water immediately.

Can I use Bleach to kill or clean mold?

The answer is yes and no. Bleach will kill some, but not all molds. The problem with bleach is dwell time. That is, how long will the product stay on the surface you are trying to clean. Bleach evaporates rapidly. Since bleach is made with water, it degrades to water. You can create a larger problem by leaving a bigger wet area than you started with. A few facts on bleach:

Although you can use it, chlorine bleach is a hazardous substance. The product we know as bleach is a solution of hypochlorite. chlorine and water.
If you mix chlorine bleach with any acid (vinegar, drain cleaners, lemon juice etc.) chlorine gas is produced. Chlorine gas is extremely dangerous and exposure can be fatal.
Bleach also cannot be mixed with ammonia. This is because the bleach reacts with the ammonia to produce nitrogen trichloride, which is explosive, and extremely irritating to the mucous membranes. (it has been used as tear gas)
We will not use bleach on mold remediation projects.
Always use an accredited IAQA specialist to remove mold.

Removing mold is a hazardous job. We use the same protocols as asbestos abatement specialists.