Mold Inspection and Information | McFaulds Inspection Consultants

 

Professional Mold Inspection Services

At McFaulds Inspection Consultants, we offer a comprehensive range of mold-related services, including mold sampling, air quality testing, and more. Many clients choose to add mold inspections alongside their home inspection to identify hidden issues before they become costly problems. Our certified professionals guide you through the process, providing detailed analysis and actionable recommendations to protect your home and health.


Understanding Mold

Mold reproduces by releasing microscopic spores that are present in both indoor and outdoor air. When these spores land on damp surfaces, they can begin growing, consuming organic materials such as wood, paper, carpet, and even certain foods. Excess moisture or water accumulation indoors significantly increases the likelihood of mold growth, especially if the moisture source goes undetected or unresolved.

It is important to note that completely eliminating all mold spores is neither practical nor possible. Effective mold management focuses on moisture control, preventing conditions that allow mold to thrive.


Moisture Control and Cleanup

The key to controlling mold is addressing moisture quickly and thoroughly. Water-damaged areas should be dried within 24–48 hours to prevent mold growth. Any existing mold should be cleaned from hard surfaces using detergent and water, followed by complete drying. Porous materials such as carpet, ceiling tiles, or insulation that have become moldy may require replacement.

Additionally, repairing plumbing leaks, improving ventilation, and using dehumidifiers or air conditioning can help reduce humidity and minimize the risk of future growth.


Ten Essential Mold Facts

  1. Mold exposure can cause allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory issues.
  2. Controlling moisture is the most effective way to prevent mold growth.
  3. Any mold problems must be addressed promptly, including cleanup and moisture removal.
  4. Reduce indoor humidity to 30–60% by using exhaust fans, air conditioning, or dehumidifiers.
  5. Clean and dry damp materials within 24–48 hours to prevent proliferation.
  6. Moldy absorbent materials, such as ceiling tiles or carpeting, may need replacement.
  7. Prevent condensation on cold surfaces by adding insulation.
  8. Avoid installing carpet in areas with recurring moisture or leaks.
  9. Mold can grow on virtually any surface where moisture is present.
  10. Proactive inspection and maintenance are essential for a healthy home environment.

If you have IAQ and mold issues in your school, you should get a copy of the

IAQ Tools for Schools

Kit. Mold is covered in the IAQ Coordinator’s Guide under Appendix H – Mold and
Moisture
.

Asthma and Mold

Molds can trigger asthma episodes in sensitive individuals with asthma.
People with asthma should avoid contact with or exposure to molds.

EPA’s Asthma web site

EPA’s Asthma Brochure

EPA’s Mold page from
Asthma web site

Health and Mold

How do molds affect people?

Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can
cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin
irritation. Some people, such as those with serious allergies to molds, may have
more severe reactions. Severe reactions may occur among workers exposed to large
amounts of molds in occupational settings, such as farmers working around moldy
hay. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath. Some people
with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold
infections in their lungs.

EPA’s publication, Indoor Air Pollution: An
Introduction for Health Professionals
, assists health professionals
(especially the primary care physician) in diagnosis of patient symptoms that
could be related to an indoor air pollution problem. It addresses the health
problems that may be caused by contaminants encountered daily in the home and
office. Organized according to pollutant or pollutant groups such as
environmental tobacco smoke, VOCs, biological pollutants, and sick building
syndrome, this booklet lists key signs and symptoms from exposure to these
pollutants, provides a diagnostic checklist and quick reference summary, and
includes suggestions for remedial action.  Also includes references for
information contained in each section. This booklet was developed by the
American Lung Association, the American Medical Association, the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission, and the EPA. EPA Document Reference Number
402-R-94-007, 1994.

Allergic Reactions – excerpted from Indoor Air
Pollution: An Introduction for Health Professionals section on: Animal Dander,
Molds, Dust Mites, Other Biologicals
.

“A major concern associated with exposure to biological pollutants is
allergic reactions, which range from rhinitis, nasal congestion, conjunctival
inflammation, and urticaria to asthma. Notable triggers for these diseases are
allergens derived from house dust mites; other arthropods, including
cockroaches; pets (cats, dogs, birds, rodents); molds; and protein-containing
furnishings, including feathers, kapok, etc. In occupational settings, more
unusual allergens (e.g., bacterial enzymes, algae) have caused asthma epidemics.
Probably most proteins of non-human origin can cause asthma in a subset of any
appropriately exposed population.”

Consult the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
website

Stachybotrys or Stachybotrys atra (chartarum) and health effects

 

The EPA publication, “A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home”
, is available here in HTML and PDF formats.  This Guide
provides information and guidance for homeowners and renters on how to clean up
residential mold problems and how to prevent mold growth.  A printed version
will be available soon.

Biological Pollutants in
Your Home
– This document explains indoor biological pollution, health
effects of biological pollutants, and how to control their growth and buildup.
One third to one half of all structures have damp conditions that may encourage
development of pollutants such as molds and bacteria, which can cause allergic
reactions — including asthma — and spread infectious diseases.  Describes
corrective measures for achieving moisture control and cleanliness.  This
brochure was prepared by the American Lung Association and the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission. EPA Document Reference Number 402-F-90-102, January
1990.

Moisture control is the key to mold control, the Moisture Control Section
from Biological Pollutants
in Your Home
follows:

Moisture Control

Water in your home can come from many sources. Water can enter your home by
leaking or by seeping through basement floors. Showers or even cooking can add
moisture to the air in your home. The amount of moisture that the air in your
home can hold depends on the temperature of the air. As the temperature goes
down, the air is able to hold less moisture. This is why, in cold weather,
moisture condenses on cold surfaces (for example, drops of water form on the
inside of a window). This moisture can encourage biological pollutants to grow.

There are many ways to control moisture in your home:

  • Fix leaks and seepage. If water is entering the house from the outside, your
    options range from simple landscaping to extensive excavation and waterproofing.
    (The ground should slope away from the house.) Water in the basement can result
    from the lack of gutters or a water flow toward the house. Water leaks in pipes
    or around tubs and sinks can provide a place for biological pollutants to grow.
  • Put a plastic cover over dirt in crawlspaces to prevent moisture from coming
    in from the ground. Be sure crawlspaces are well-ventilated.
  • Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to remove moisture to the outside
    (not into the attic). Vent your clothes dryer to the outside.
  • Turn off certain appliances (such as humidifiers or kerosene heaters) if you
    notice moisture on windows and other surfaces.
  • Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners, especially in hot, humid  climates,
    to reduce moisture in the air, but be sure that the appliances themselves don’t
    become sources of biological pollutants.
  • Raise the temperature of cold surfaces where moisture condenses. Use
    insulation or storm windows. (A storm window installed on the inside works
    better than one installed on the outside.) Open doors between rooms (especially
    doors to closets which may be colder than the rooms) to increase circulation.
    Circulation carries heat to the cold surfaces. Increase air circulation by using
    fans and by moving furniture from wall corners to promote air and heat
    circulation. Be sure that your house has a source of fresh air and can expel
    excessive moisture from the home.
  • Pay special attention to carpet on concrete floors. Carpet can absorb
    moisture and serve as a place for biological pollutants to grow. Use area rugs
    which can be taken up and washed often. In certain climates, if carpet is to be
    installed over a concrete floor, it may be necessary to use a vapor barrier
    (plastic sheeting) over the concrete and cover that with sub-flooring
    (insulation covered with plywood) to prevent a moisture problem.
  • Moisture problems and their solutions differ from one climate to another.
    The Northeast is cold and wet; the Southwest is hot and dry; the South is hot
    and wet; and the Western Mountain states are cold and dry. All of these regions
    can have moisture problems. For example, evaporative coolers used in the
    Southwest can encourage the growth of biological pollutants. In other hot
    regions, the use of air conditioners which cool the air too quickly may prevent
    the air conditioners from running long enough to remove excess moisture from the
    air. The types of construction and weatherization for the different climates can
    lead to different problems and solutions.

Moisture On Windows

Your humidistat is set too high if excessive moisture collects on windows and
other cold surfaces. Excess humidity for a prolonged time can damage walls
especially when outdoor air temperatures are very low. Excess moisture condenses
on window glass because the glass is cold. Other sources of excess moisture
besides overuse of a humidifier may be long showers, running water for other
uses, boiling or steaming in cooking, plants, and drying clothes indoors. A
tight, energy efficient house holds more moisture inside; you may need to run a
kitchen or bath ventilating fan sometimes, or open a window briefly. Storm
windows and caulking around windows keep the interior glass warmer and reduce
condensation of moisture there.

Humidifiers are not recommended for use in buildings without proper vapor
barriers because of potential damage from moisture buildup. Consult a building
contractor to determine the adequacy of the vapor barrier in your house. Use a
humidity indicator to measure the relative humidity in your house. The American
Society of Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends these
maximum indoor humidity levels.

Outdoor Recommended Indoor Temperature Relative Humidity

+20 F. 35%

+10 F. 30%
0 F. 25%
-10 F. 20%
-20 F. 15%

Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? – excerpt on duct cleaning and
mold follows, please review the entire document for additional information on
duct cleaning and mold.

You should consider having the air ducts in your home cleaned if:

There is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface (e.g., sheet
metal) ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system. There
are several important points to understand concerning mold detection in heating
and cooling systems:

  • Many sections of your heating and cooling system may not be accessible for a
    visible inspection, so ask the service provider to show you any mold they say
    exists.
  • You should be aware that although a substance may look like mold, a positive
    determination of whether it is mold or not can be made only by an expert and may
    require laboratory analysis for final confirmation.  For about $50, some
    microbiology laboratories can tell you whether a sample sent to them on a clear
    strip of sticky household tape is mold or simply a substance that resembles it.
  • If you have insulated air ducts and the insulation gets wet or moldy it
    cannot be effectively cleaned and should be removed and replaced.
  • If the conditions causing the mold growth in the first place are not
    corrected, mold growth will recur.