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Cincinnati Ohio Mold Testing & Inspection Servicescincinnatimoldinspection@yahoo.com 513-255-0298 - 24 Hours/7 Days a WeekMold Inspection and Testing Services for Cincinnati Ohio - Avondale - Clifton - Red Bank - Mariemont - Norwood Ohio - Fairfax - Forest Park - Oakley - Bond Hill - Roselawn - Amberley - Reading - Lockland OH - Indian Hill - Madeira - Kenwood - Rossmoyne Ohio - Montgomery - Blue Ash - Evendale - Wyoming - Woodlawn Ohio - Glendale - Sharonville - Springdale - Green Hills - Northbrook - White Oak - North Bend & Vicinity Understanding Mold Good molds and a bad molds are found virtually everywhere! In indoor and outdoor environments, year round, mold enters homes through windows, doors, cracks, and vents. It is our mission at House To Home Inspections LLC to help you not only identify whether or not you have elevated not unusual mold issues through our professional mold inspection & testing services, but also to inform and educate you to the processes which we use to discover such problems. The US government estimates that Americans are exposed to over 200 different types of mold on a daily basis. It is a living organism that generally lives and thrives where moisture is present, in the absence of circulating air. When left untended, mold can cause much damage. Mold, mildew and fungus pose three great risks:
In short, mold should not be permitted to grow and multiply indoors. When this happens, health problems can occur and building materials, goods, and furnishings may be damaged. Definition and Characteristics of MoldMolds are simple microscopic organisms that are needed for breaking down dead materials, acting as nature's decomposers. Molds produce microscopic cells called spores, which are very tiny and lightweight, allow them to travel through the air. Live spores act like seeds, forming a new mold growths (or colonies) when they find the right conditions. Growth can be seen in the form of discoloration, ranging in color from White to Orange and from Green to Brown to Black. Most people believe that mold exists only when they can see it growing; however, the fact is that mold spores are always present. Once established in a building, molds can spread, destroying structural wood components, causing and problems. Our mold inspection discovers these problems. This can be hard to eliminate. In large numbers, mold spores can also cause health problems that include:
People vary in their sensitivity to mold in the air. The elderly, children, those with respiratory problems and people with compromised immune systems are most vulnerable to the effects of mold, but even healthy people may react to high concentrations. Our mold air sample testing not only discovers what, if any molds exist in the air but, the levels of those molds as well. The problem of mold is one that no homeowner can ill afford to ignore. Mold has been suggested as one possible factor in so-called sick building syndrome. SBS occurs when the occupants of a building experience acute health effects that seem to be linked to the time spent in a building. Although a mold inspection and testing may be costly at times dependent upon the situation, can one afford to loose days or weeks of work and lost productivity due to the expense of a mold inspection & testing? How mold grows
Unfortunately, buildings provide an almost ideal environment to support the growth of mold. If the typical temperatures are right, there are plenty of dark places and organic substances. Just add water and you've created a perfect mold breeding ground. Our mold inspection uncovers any areas of excessive high temperatures or humidity. Sources of indoor moistureThe following are sources of indoor moisture generally uncovered during our mold inspection, that may cause problems;
Enemies of moldEven though mold has survived for millions of years, it does have its weaknesses. The sun, wind, rain, and other conditions all keep mold in check. Below, are some of items that have a negative influence on mold growth. The information provided is not intended to be used in amateurish repairs and/or mold clean up.
Types of moldBelow are some different species of mold typically found in the Cincinnati - Dayton Ohio areas: For a Cincinnati Ohio Air Quality localized list.
It is common to find stachybotrys chartarum in small amounts in buildings in Cincinnati where there has been prolonged leakage or water entry. It is a toxic mold that should be removed professionally. Don't assume that anything black on the wall is highly toxic mold. Other common species look black but may be of low or no toxicity. For example Chateomium globosum has been reported to be allergic rather than toxic. Cladosporium sphaerospermum is often found growing indoors on bathroom tile or refrigerator gaskets. It's a member of the most common mold family, cladosporium, the "universal fungus". The words "mold", "mildew", and "fungus" are sometimes it used interchangeably. However each type can have different characteristics. Generally speaking, you cannot determine the mold type and species just by looking at it. Laboratory testing is needed. House To Home Inspections uses the largest most reliable mold analysis laboratory in the country to analysis all of our mold testing results. Mold, mildew and fungusMold The term "mold" refers to a fungus growth on a porous, rotting material. All molds are fungi organisms; however, not all fungi are molds. There are hundreds of varieties of mold, and many types often grow in the same location. Mildew The term "mildew" refers to one of the most common types of mold. Like many molds, mildew generally causes a discoloration of an underlying, porous material. It is commonly found in living areas but can thrive in hidden accessible areas as well. Mildew can form when high moisture levels are present. It does not need food to grow. It is typically found on wood surfaces but can grow successfully on just about anything. Since it can live only on the surface, mildew by itself is not cause for great alarm, but it could lead to more hazardous or destructive mold if not addressed. Fungus Decay fungi or fungus is the most complex of fungi, and this species of mold will start to grow when moisture levels or 28% or higher. They are labeled as white, brown, blue, black or green, and some of them are toxic. Unlike common mildew, fungus will grow into and throughout wood and wood byproducts. Fungus has the ability to convert the complex structure of wood into nutrients on which it then feeds. This growth can occur in basements, crawl spaces or attics. When left to grow, fungus will literally consume wood until there is no structural integrity left where it has fed. Like termite damage, it is sometimes hard to know where the damages occurring. This is because the roots of the fungus can be far from where the mycelium is found. Fungus can also be broken down into two different categories, dry rot and wet rot. Dry rot is a common condition in older homes with bacterial activity. Brown rot is probably the most common and though not life-threatening, it does cause a lots of damage to wood and should be killed when found. Wet rot requires a very damp condition. It is most easily recognized by dark brown threads spreading over the surface of the timber. Dry rot is the more dangerous fungi because of its ability to move sometimes far beyond its water source. Dry rot is usually identified by its large fruiting bodies and a mass of white threads. Dry rots are generally referred to as "Brown rots" because they can ultimately reduce timber to brown dry dust, causing serious damage to structures. Our mold inspection report emphasizes any rot found on structural components. Toxic mold
The mycotoxins are attached to the mold spores and when they are inhaled or come into contact with the skin, and allergic reaction may result. There are currently no regulatory standards regarding how much stachybotrys is considered unsafe although unusual levels are stated in the mold inspection report. Although stachybotrys chartarum is the most commonly toxic mold, there are many others that pose health risks when allowed to grow and prosper in living areas. Such species include Claviceps pupurea, Aspergillus penicillium, and cladosporium. In other black mold, Memnoniella echinata is particularly toxic and irritating. Although considered a member of the stachybotrys family, sticky spores that tend to stay in one place, Memnoniella echinata is easily airborne. Toxic molds can be extremely dangerous to everyone, but especially people with existing health problems. As you can tell, there are many variations and classifications of black molds. Only a professional laboratory analysis can determine what types of molds are present and whether or not they can be potentially harmful to you & your families health. Repairs of homes with toxic molds should be handled only by certified biohazard contractors. Click Here To Email the Cincinnati Mold Inspectors Cincinnati OH mold inspections
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