MOLD QUESTIONS

Q:   When should I test for mold in my house?

A:   Mold testing may be useful in the following situations:

• A water intrusion event occurs, such as a plumbing leak or flood.

• A musty odor is present.

• Visible mold or water damage is detected or suspected.

• A mold remediation contractor or insurance company requests a remediation protocol from an industrial hygienist prior to remediation.

• A mold remediation contractor, insurance company, or property owner requests a clearance letter following mold remediation.

Q:   How does mold get into my house?

A:   As mold is naturally occurring in the outside environment, mold spores are everywhere in the outside air.  They inevitably enter buildings and homes through doors, windows, air intakes, and other pathways.  The unavoidable truth is that mold spores are found in every building or home.  What is avoidable, however, is mold growth in the indoor environment.

Q:   Why is mold growing in my house, and what can I do to stop it?

A:   Any mold growth problem is first and foremost a moisture problem.  Plumbing leaks, cracks in the building foundation, roof or gutter leaks, poor landscaping, or even high humidity can all lead to mold growth if left unaddressed.  Before mold can be properly remediated, the moisture problem must be fixed.  Otherwise, mold growth will reoccur.  Mold remediation is ultimately pointless unless the moisture problem has been remedied.

Q:   What types of things can I do to prevent mold from growing in my home or building?

A:   The following may be helpful in your home:

• Keep the humidity level in your home or building between 40% and 60%.

• Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months and in damp spaces, like basements.

• Be sure your home or building has enough ventilation. 

• Use exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms that vent to the outside.

• Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home.

• Fix any roof, foundation, or plumbing leaks so mold does not have moisture to grow.

• Clean up and dry out wet areas thoroughly and quickly (within 24–48 hours) after flooding. Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting.

• Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.

• Remove or replace carpet and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried promptly. 

• Avoid using carpet in areas where there is a lot of moisture, like bathrooms.

Q:   How does Heaton Environmental perform a mold assessment?

A:   Heaton may use several techniques to thoroughly assess every mold situation:

• Visual interior/exterior inspection

• Moisture detection

• Humidity measurement

• Thermal scan

• Sampling (air and surface)

Q:   What is the difference between air samples and surface samples?

A:   Air samples identify the type and quantity of airborne mold spores in a given location, measured in spores per cubic meter (m3) of air.  The runtime for air samples is 10 minutes, during which time approximately 150 liters of air is extracted from the sample location and passed through a spore trap, which captures the spores.  The spore traps are then sent to an AIHA and NVLAP accredited lab for analysis.  While air samples do not identify the location of the mold source(s), multiple air samples taken throughout a structure can help pinpoint the general vicinity of the source and determine the extent of the airborne contamination.

Surface samples are typically obtained using a tape-lift or swab.  An area of suspected mold growth is identified, and a sample of the suspected growth is obtained and sent to an AIHA and NVLAP accredited lab for analysis.  The lab confirms whether or not the substance sampled is or contains mold.  The type of mold is identified, and a qualitative description of its level of growth is provided.  Surface samples do not determine the extent of mold growth or the amount of airborne mold contamination.