Mold. A Growing Concern

"MOLD. 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 often goes undetected because of its invisibility. Most people spend 90% of their time indoors, and you owe it to yourself and your family to minimize your exposure to mold spores in the indoor environment. Call Bee Sure Home Inspection Services and Get your home tested for mold today!

The ABC's of Mold

How can I be exposed to mold?
Breathing in the spores from the air.
Skin contact from handling an item with mold on it.
Eating without properly washing your hands after handling moldy items.

Is mold dangerous?

Mold has the potential to cause health problems and even make a home uninhabitable. However, mold exposure tends to affect everyone differently, depending on your health, your sensitivities, etc. Mold that may not bother you at all might bother another family member, or a potential buyer of your property. Some varieties of mold can produce allergens, irritants, and in some cases toxic chemical substances known as mycotoxins. 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. Respiratory problems and infections. Fatigue. Headaches. Concentration problems. Memory lapses. Confusion. Mood swings. Anxiety. Depression. Chronic aches and pains. Digestive problems. And yes, even in some extreme cases, cancers and death.

Where is mold found in a home?

Molds love just about all building materials found in a home, and use them as a food source. It is sometimes visible to the naked eye, and quite often not. Most often it can be found in moist areas of the home, and is usually accompanied by a musty odor. Common places to find mold include: Basements, Kitchens, Bathrooms, Laundry Rooms, Attics, Crawlspaces, Carpeting, Inside Wall and Ceiling Cavities, HVAC systems, Clothing, and on some foods. Really anywhere there is a moisture source and a material that suits as a food source. I have even seen mold growing voraciously on solid concrete and other masonry surfaces.

What can I do to protect my home and family?

Home buyers and homeowners should want a home that has been mold inspected. You should not buy a home, sell a home, or live in a home with mold. A mold inspection is your first line of defense.

To find out if mold is a problem in your home, you may have a mold inspection conducted by Bee Sure Home Inspection Services, LLC. We are IAC2 certified professionals.

Testing can be done in specific areas that you may have concerns with, or a complete Mold Screen Inspection can be performed on your property. In each case, a visual assesment is conducted, and a course of action for sampling is generated. Sample types include air sampling with spore traps, surface sampling with lift tapes and swabs, carpet sampling, and even wall cavity checks.

Recommendations and Lab Results

After the visual inspection and the circumstances are evaluated, action can be planned to clean up the mold, and prevent future contamination. Your inspector can provide you with a written report that can be used for disclosure and references. Ultimately, if mold is found, the underlying cause and source of moisture must be corrected to prevent further and or future contamination.

Brought to you by:

John Reim
Bee Sure Home Inspection Svcs.
http://www.beesure.net/
mobile: 773-425-8275