Microbial & Allergy Sampling
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Mold Frequently Asked Questions
© Copyright 2003-2008 JP Enterprises Home Inspection Services. All rights reserved.
What causes mold?
Leaking roof
Water damage
Flooding
Plumbing problems
Why choose us?
Certified Mold Inspectors
We test & report only so no conflict of interests
24 hour turn around in most cases
Discount pricing
When should mold testing be done?
When buying or selling a home
When a musty smell is noticed
When there has been water intrusion from floods, leaks or plumbing
When health issues are present
When mold or water stains are visible
954-876-0806 or toll free 1-866-814-5554
Is all mold harmful?
There are more than 100,000 types of mold. Only a few molds can cause infection in healthy people. Some molds cause infections only in people with weakened immune systems. There are molds that produce powerful chemicals called mycotoxins which can cause illness in both animals and people. The biggest health problem is respiratory type illnesses in people exposed to mold.
Unfortunately, there is limited knowledge available about the long term health effects of mold exposure.
How much mold exposure is harmful?
Because individuals are affected in different ways, no agency has determined a safe level of mold exposure. If you have or suspect mold in your home, you need to find the cause of the mold and fix it. Then remove the mold completely. Clearance testing should be done to verify mold has been completely removed.
What is the best way to get rid of mold?
If the mold is on a hard surface and occupies less than 10 square feet, wash the area with soapy water, rinse and allow the area to dry before repainting. People with weakened immune systems should not attempt mold clean up. Larger areas, greater than 10 square feet in area, should be cleaned by someone with experience in doing this type of work.
Most important, you must determine the cause of the problem and correct it or the mold is likely to return.
Does bleach get rid of mold?
Bleach will kill mold but dead mold may still cause an allergic reaction in many people. The E.P.A. says that bleach or other biocides should not be routinely used to kill mold. You do not have to kill the mold to remove it. Soap and water combined with scrubbing will remove mold from hard surfaces. Other items containing mold such as clothing, can be washed in hot water. If items are not washable, they should be disposed of.
Borate based cleaners are good choices for mold clean up as they discourage mold growth.
How many samples are needed to determine if I have mold in my home?
Mold levels vary greatly with season, temperature, humidity and time of day. This variability requires that multiple samples be collected at each location to be sure the observed difference is real and not just due to chance. A report recently released by the National Academy of Sciences addresses the difficulties associated with sampling. "Thus, because only sparse data are available on variation of exposure to biologic agents in the home environment, it is not possible to recommend how many samples should be taken to produce an accurate assessment of the risk-relevant exposure. However, there is a strong suggestion that airborne concentrations are characterized by high variability over time, an indication that one sample per home is unlikely to be sufficient even when acute health effects are being considered, because variations in exposure occur over very short periods."
Why do I need an air sample from outside my home?
An outdoor air sample is needed by the lab to use as a control. Generally, the types of mold found indoors is the same or similar to what is found outside. It should be at lesser concentrations due to air conditioning or other ventilation systems. Indoor air should measure 30% to 80% of what is found outside. If the indoor samples measure higher than the control, there may be a problem with indoor air quality in that home.
What is the difference between mold and mildew?
The answer depends on whether you ask a scientist or not. Mycologists, who study fungi, use the term mildew only for fungi that grow on plants.
People who are not scientists use the term mildew differently. For them, mildew is the discoloration caused by mold in buildings. The molds that grow around windows or in bathrooms are often called mildew.
There are more than 100,000 types of mold. Only a few molds can cause infection in healthy people. Some molds cause infections only in people with weakened immune systems. There are molds that produce powerful chemicals called mycotoxins which can cause illness in both animals and people. The biggest health problem is respiratory type illnesses in people exposed to mold.
Unfortunately, there is limited knowledge available about the long term health effects of mold exposure.
How much mold exposure is harmful?
Because individuals are affected in different ways, no agency has determined a safe level of mold exposure. If you have or suspect mold in your home, you need to find the cause of the mold and fix it. Then remove the mold completely. Clearance testing should be done to verify mold has been completely removed.
What is the best way to get rid of mold?
If the mold is on a hard surface and occupies less than 10 square feet, wash the area with soapy water, rinse and allow the area to dry before repainting. People with weakened immune systems should not attempt mold clean up. Larger areas, greater than 10 square feet in area, should be cleaned by someone with experience in doing this type of work.
Most important, you must determine the cause of the problem and correct it or the mold is likely to return.
Does bleach get rid of mold?
Bleach will kill mold but dead mold may still cause an allergic reaction in many people. The E.P.A. says that bleach or other biocides should not be routinely used to kill mold. You do not have to kill the mold to remove it. Soap and water combined with scrubbing will remove mold from hard surfaces. Other items containing mold such as clothing, can be washed in hot water. If items are not washable, they should be disposed of.
Borate based cleaners are good choices for mold clean up as they discourage mold growth.
How many samples are needed to determine if I have mold in my home?
Mold levels vary greatly with season, temperature, humidity and time of day. This variability requires that multiple samples be collected at each location to be sure the observed difference is real and not just due to chance. A report recently released by the National Academy of Sciences addresses the difficulties associated with sampling. "Thus, because only sparse data are available on variation of exposure to biologic agents in the home environment, it is not possible to recommend how many samples should be taken to produce an accurate assessment of the risk-relevant exposure. However, there is a strong suggestion that airborne concentrations are characterized by high variability over time, an indication that one sample per home is unlikely to be sufficient even when acute health effects are being considered, because variations in exposure occur over very short periods."
Why do I need an air sample from outside my home?
An outdoor air sample is needed by the lab to use as a control. Generally, the types of mold found indoors is the same or similar to what is found outside. It should be at lesser concentrations due to air conditioning or other ventilation systems. Indoor air should measure 30% to 80% of what is found outside. If the indoor samples measure higher than the control, there may be a problem with indoor air quality in that home.
What is the difference between mold and mildew?
The answer depends on whether you ask a scientist or not. Mycologists, who study fungi, use the term mildew only for fungi that grow on plants.
People who are not scientists use the term mildew differently. For them, mildew is the discoloration caused by mold in buildings. The molds that grow around windows or in bathrooms are often called mildew.