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Mold Issues:
Residential Mold
Inspections and Sampling
Homeowners and
those in the market to buy a home are increasingly concerned
about mold contamination.
For this purpose RESA
provides specialized Mold Inspections where we inspect the water
incursion sites in the home and identify areas suspected of being contaminated.
RESA provides Air
and or Surface sampling to identify the type and amount of mold
that may exist, and so that decisions can be made based on
facts, not fear.
If it becomes necessary, RESA
will also develop a strategic plan for dealing
with the mold contamination, then project manage the process of clean-up.
RESA's program, including set pricing, specifically describes and limits your
costs in advance of any work being done. This avoids the "Low-Ball"
scenario where the remediation contractor starts at one fee, then keeps going
and going, meanwhile your costs skyrocket.
RESA's inspectors are
certified through IESO (the Indoor Environmental Standards Organization)
and have extensive field training!
RESA's first objective to
handle the mold issue in each home with careful consideration to the
health concerns of the occupants. Costumer service and
satisfaction is our ultimate goal.
We look forward to providing
all your Mold Investigation and Sampling needs!
Residential
Mold Investigation and Screening
What
are Molds?
 Molds are simple, microscopic organisms,
present virtually everywhere, indoors and outdoors. Molds, along with mushrooms
and yeasts, are fungi and are needed to break down dead material and
recycle nutrients in the environment. For molds to grow and reproduce, they
need only moisture and an organic food source, such as leaves, wood, paper.
Because molds grow by digesting the organic material, they gradually destroy
whatever they grow on. Sometimes, new molds grow on old mold colonies. Mold
growth on surfaces can often be seen in the form of discoloration, frequently
green, gray, brown, or black but also white and other colors. Molds release
countless tiny, lightweight spores, which travel through the air.
How am I
exposed to indoor molds?
Everyone is
exposed to some mold on a daily basis without evident harm. It is common to
find mold spores in the air inside homes, and most of the airborne spores found
indoors come from outdoor sources. Mold spores primarily cause health problems
when they are present in large numbers and people inhale many of them.
This occurs primarily when there is active mold growth within home,
office or school where people live or work. People can also be exposed to mold
by touching contaminated materials and by eating contaminated foods.
Can mold
become a problem in my home?
Molds will grow
and multiply whenever conditions are right, sufficient moisture is available,
and organic material is present. Be on the lookout in your home for common
sources of indoor moisture that may lead to mold problems, these conditions may
include:
·
Flooding
·
Leaky roofs
·
Sprinkler spray hitting the house
·
Plumbing leaks
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Overflow from sinks or sewers
·
Damp basement or crawl space
·
Steam from shower or cooking
·
Humidifiers
Warping floors and
discoloration of walls and ceilings can be indications of moisture problems.
Condensation on windows or walls is also an important indication, but it can
sometimes be caused by an indoor combustion problem! Have fuel-burning
appliances routinely inspected by your local utility or a professional heating
contractor.
Should I be
concerned about mold in my home?
Yes, if indoor
mold contamination is extensive, it can cause very high and persistent airborne
spore exposures. Persons exposed to high spore levels can become sensitized and
develop allergies to the mold or other health problems. Mold growth can damage
your furnishings, such as carpets, sofas and cabinets. Clothes and shoes in
damp closets can become soiled. In time, unchecked mold growth can cause serious
damage to the structural elements in your home.
Information
Courtesy of California and Arizona Department of Health Services.
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