Mold Archives

Mold Professionals

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Mold belongs to a group of microscopic fungi and is spore-producing organisms that can thrive in certain indoor conditions such as when there is a temperature range conducive to growth, sufficient humidity, and a source of nutrients to sustain growth. Mold is ubiquitous in nature and excessive mold can result in offensive odors from the organic compounds released by certain molds during their life cycles.

The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) is a global non-profit organization and is dedicated to advancing the safety, health, and environmental (SH&E) profession and advancing the technical, scientific, managerial, and ethical knowledge and skills of occupational safety, health, and environmental professionals.

Awareness & Training

Mold professionals such as those at the ASSE believe that mold has become an important health issue that cannot be ignored. Mold professionals around the word are being called upon to respond to mold-related issues such as development and implementation of precautionary measures and programs, identification of mold contamination in indoor environments, identification and awareness of workers and workplace activities that increase the potential for exposure to mold, and development and implementation of remediation plans and projects to remove mold from indoor workplaces workplace employee occupants and remediation workers. Mold professionals are of the opinion that they can assist people by providing guidelines under which such work can be executed in a manner that provides protection to workers and which does not cause increased risk to building occupants.

Effects on health

Although current research does not indicate that mold causes illness in the healthy, there is evidence that excessive exposure to mold may aggravate pre-existing respiratory conditions such as allergic rhinitis and asthma, and may cause allergic reactions in some people. Although adverse health effects related to exposure to mold have been reported, at this time, there is not a conclusive link to pulmonary bleeding nor is there conclusive evidence that mold-related illnesses are increasing.

Apart from disinfecting mold affected areas mold professionals contribute to awareness training that provides people with the knowledge and skills that are needed to identify impending mold contamination and situations that could require remediation may be needed, as detection of and responding to mold-related situations may well be a new area of activity for many.

Mold remediation courses

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Mold is a common household problem and homeowners unable to deal with severe mold problems and the damage caused to structure, health and hygiene need mold remediation professionals to help them circumvent these issues. Such a professional needs to have a recognized certification from a reputed institute to assure the customer of getting value for services extended to him. For this, the professional is expected to have comprehensive knowledge provided him through mold remediation courses.

Who needs mold remediation courses?

In today’s competitive world with mold being a problem in many American homes, the need for remediation professionals is rising and those having a recognized documentation of their skills armed with extensive knowledge about mold and its affected issues are more likely to gain customers and expand business than mold professionals depending on odd jobs. Success in the mold inspection and remediation industry is assured for businesses aided by the information given by mold remediation courses.

Curriculum of mold remediation courses

A good mold remediation course will cover aspects on how to start a business, develop a marketing plan and win customers as well as maintain a profitable venture through refresher modules, made available for study at later dates as newer findings and developments take place in the mold remediation industry.
Some of these mold remediation courses have low annual membership fee like $100 while others charge $300/year, depending on the knowledge extended to the learners. The courseware may cover learning the principles of building science and moisture intrusion critical to evaluating fungal contamination apart from precautions to be taken during the process of mold removal, cleaning, decontamination and educating the customer about preventive steps towards a cleaner, healthier, mold-free home.

Benefits of mold remediation courses

There are many mold remediation courses available at the state as well as national level. A bit of counseling at Mold training institutes will clear the cobwebs as to which is best for the professional in terms of distance, practicability of courseware, fees and utility. The recognized institutes have training and certification programs to provide education and authoritative credentials for Mold Professionals. Some institutes offering mold remediation courses also provide their student-professionals with a National Referral Service to connect consumers with inspectors and remediators in their area and to help consumers find out important information about the mold inspection and remediation industry. These courses provide and promote excellence and professionalism in the Mold Remediation industry and provide a code of ethics to educate members and inform the public of the benefits and scope of a professional mold remediation- simplifying the task of business marketing and networking for mold remediation professionals.

Black mold symptoms

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The media often refers to Black mold as toxic or deadly mold and this fungi is us usually associated with Stachybotrys chartarum-a type of greenish-black mold known to cause heavy water damage. However, not all molds that appear to be black are Stachybotrys. Black Mold is found in the walls of homes, apartments and schools where a leak has let water into the walls. Black mold can make some people very sick, especially affecting those with asthma very severely. This is because the Black mold’s microscopic spores can get into the lungs and prove fatal at times.

Effects of Black mold

Black mold or Stachybotrys, causes bleeding in the lung, which can be fatal for infants and pregnant women. The Stachybotrys mold spores are inhaled into the lungs, where they weaken the blood vessels, causing the lungs to bleed.

Symptoms of Black mold

The common symptoms of this toxic mold are coughing up blood and frequent nosebleeds, which is recorded by most patients suffering from Stachybotrys poisoning. Stachybotrys is found in wet areas and places affected by leaky pipes and within or on walls exposed to excessive moisture. Stachybotrys mold is wet, black, and slimy and it smears when touched. Black Mold poisoning symptoms are akin to the ordinary flu warning signs but can lead to toxic life threatening conditions. The amount of mold present and a person’s sensitivity to the mold are important factors in how one’s body may react to mold. The people at greatest risk are infants, elderly and immune-suppressed individuals and this category are most likely to exhibit the harshest of reactions when exposed to toxic mold. Black mold symptoms include nosebleed without injury to the nose and in the case of many an infant or child, there may be a chronic cough with chest congestion.

Allergy related

For those who are allergic to mold, symptoms will usually include a runny nose, itchy/watery eyes, coughing, and sneezing and throat irritation. These may become severe if the individual has a chronic condition such as sinusitis and asthma. While allergic reactions are common, exposure to a large enough quantity of mycotoxins produced by some molds can occur and can lead to headaches, respiratory difficulties, skin irritation, decreased attention span and difficulty in concentration as well as dizzy spells.

Mold Remediation

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Everybody has at some time or the other has probably heard more about the dangers and costs of mold than they really understand. The risks associated with a mold problem are rot, compromising the structure’s durability and the toxic varieties of mold can cause severe health problems. Insurance companies are constantly seeking ways to limit their liability, and homeowners are growing more aware and sensitive to the issue of mold infections, the builder is often caught in the crossfire.

Mold Remediation is the process of isolating, removing and cleaning materials that have been infected with mold. This may be as simple as removing a small section of moldy sheetrock or remodeling an entire basement.

Prevention is better than cure

There are a few ways to prevent the growth of mod in a structure. If one can adhere to a few basic rules huge expenses can be prevented in the treatment of mould and restoration of damage done by rot caused by mold. While building it always helps to keep all wood studs dry, and check the job site inventory on a regular basis to make sure it’s being stored appropriately. Allow framing to dry before putting up drywall. Mold can begin to grow on wet surfaces within a matter of hours, so the home could have a mold issue even before the owners move in. The use of mold resistant drywall and paints, especially in bathrooms and kitchens, greatly help in preventing the growth of mold. If possible install ventilation fixtures in the bathroom and kitchen. Make sure these are vented towards the exterior.

Some Mold Basics

There are about 100,000 known varieties of mold, several of which can cause severe health issues such as pain, irritation, allergic reactions, and even death to humans. Mold requires only water and any organic material such as wood and a moderate temperature to thrive. Germination of the mold spore can take as little as eighteen hours, and it’s almost impossible to remove all mold spores from the air.

The main danger in mold isn’t the green or black fuzzy stuff eating away at wood or paint in dark corners or cabinets, but the real danger is from the airborne spores mold sends out. These spores are like plant seeds for mold that can carry mycotoxins and become lodged in the lungs when inhaled causing a myriad of health problems.

To clean up a mold patch, be sure to follow EPA health regulations. If the contaminated area exceeds thirty square feet it is advisable to call in the experts and let them handle the job.

Mold and health

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Measures taken for Mold related health issues are on the upside swing in the present day. There are numerous property owners, landlords, employers and mold victim relatives in Canada, the USA and the world over have raised pertinent questions to bring about awareness of mold related health problems. They have been rewarded with legal and medical options to help minimize the serious health threat arising from exposure to elevated levels of indoor mold infestation

Harmful effects of Mold on Health

All molds can have the potential to cause health effects as they produce allergens that can trigger allergic reactions or asthma attacks in people allergic to mold. Yet others can produce potent toxins and/or irritants, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Some molds can be deadly and the most toxic mold is that producing mycotoxins in its spores: Stachybotrys or Black Mold. Apart from this, Aspergillus and Penicillium are the other dangerous and commonly found indoor toxic molds. Mycotoxins have the capacity to pass through the human cellular wall and disrupt certain cellular processes, causing serious health damage to workers and customers.

Mold Health Symptoms

Mold can cause health problems to both humans and animals by several different biological mechanisms, mainly infections, allergic or hypersensitivity reactions, irritant reactions, or toxic reactions, according to a University of Connecticut Health Center report. If exposed to elevated levels of indoor mold, some residents and workers can experience one or more of most common, mold health symptoms like allergies, asthma, bleeding lungs, breathing difficulties, cancer, central nervous system problems, recurring colds, chronic coughing, coughing up with blood, chronic dandruff problems that linger despite using anti-dandruff shampoos. Visionary problems, fatigue-chronic, excessive or continued-is also reported, along with general malaise, flu symptoms, sudden hair loss, hemorrhagic pneumonitis, hives, hypersensitivity irritability, itching of the nose, mouth, eyes, throat, skin or any other area, kidney failure, learning difficulties or mental dysfunction or personality changes, memory loss or memory difficulties. Open skin sores and lacerations, peripheral nervous system effects, redness of the white of the eyes, runny nose or thick, green slime coming out of nose, seizures, sleep disorders, sneezing fits, sore throat, tremors, trouble in speaking are other recognized health risks related to mold infestation.

Mold Health Studies

There is abundant evidence about the serious impact of mycotoxins and mold exposure in human disease and medical studies in both the military and agricultural environments have discovered that that significant health problems can readily arise from the inhalation of elevated levels of fungal spores and toxins by soldiers and farmers.

Mold in basement

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Mold can build up in basements and other wet areas causing cause health problems that can be felt immediately or have a long-term effect after excessive water damage. Thus, it becomes important to dry and clean the area as quickly as possible as well as remove unhealthy microorganisms from the air.

Causes for mold in basement

The problem of mold occurring in a basement is a common one for many homeowners. The basement is the foundation of a house and if this is poorly protected, water can soak up into the concrete, causing cracks and weakening the home’s support. Using a waterproof spray and drainage board can prevent moisture from soaking up into the concrete. Since the basement handles water from roof runoff and drains water from above and below the ground, the problems get reinforced without a proper waterproofing system. In such cases, the foundation can crack under hydrostatic pressure (the force a standing fluid, such as water, exerts on the foundation walls).

Solution for preventing mold infestation in basement

A proven method of waterproofing the foundation or basement while also allowing the water to drain away from the home is by applying a waterproof asphalt coating to the foundation walls and by attaching a drainage board to the foundation. The result is two-part system that gives the foundation a strong defense against water problems.

Steps to a DIY waterproofing to prevent mold in basement

The top of the footing needs a coating of waterproofing spray before the foundation wall is set. This coating prevents water from wicking its way up through the footer and into the home. For this, the foundation walls and surface needs to be clean, dry and free of debris before the asphalt coating is applied and the plumbing/electrical lines need to be completely sealed prior to spraying evenly and consistently. The final step is to install a proper drain at the side of the footer to drain any bulk water away from the foundation. The common method for waterproofing foundation walls is to apply a damp-proof coating to the walls. This seals all gaps in the concrete without using a drainage board and although this is a simpler and cheaper method, it does not provide adequate protection from moisture buildup. As a result, it can lead to leaks, cracks and a buildup of mold. So, it is advisable to go in for the best and most affordable solution as soon as a mold in basement problem is detected to help deter mold while ensuring that the basement stays dry all year long.

Cutting crown molding

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Crown moldings are decorative details that can be added to a room to spruce it up or give a definitive touch to its theme. They are also referred to as ‘sprung cove’ moldings as they are used to cover the seam where the ceiling and wall meet. There is endless variety in styles and designs to choose from but it is cutting the crown molding, which is the tricky part.

Guidelines for cutting crown molding

At the back of all crown molding are upper and lower edges that meet the ceiling and wall squarely and these are the edges that are used to guide you in making accurate cuts. A miter saw is the best and easiest way to cut crown molding correctly. It can be a power miter saw or a hand miter box. The first step would be to measure the molding pieces precisely as there is no use for crown molding cut hastily and just a little too short. Next step would be to set the wall side edge of the molding against the back fence of the saw and ceiling side edge against the saw base. Cutting slowly and carefully in a straight line, ensure that the molding remains seated against the saw’s fence throughout the process. For corners, cut opposite 45 degree angles so that the crown molding pieces fit together. It is recommended, whenever possible, to complete a run of crown molding using just one piece. For longer stretches, mitering the ends of two pieces at parallel 45-degree angles is suggested so that they fit together to continue the line- this is called a scarf joint and hides a gap if the wood shrinks.
Most crown moldings are narrow, so the average miter saw will be able to handle it with ease. To cut cove moldings with bevel and miter angle at the same time, use a compound miter saw, which has a second pivot point on the blade assembly.

Finishing steps to a cutting crown molding project

The simpler crown moldings can be fastened in place with tiny nails and glued together at the ends while the complex, intricate designs with multiple pieces, need to be attached to a square nailing strip that fits into the seam where the ceiling and wall meet – this gives extra depth to the crown molding. The handy person may need to drill pilot holes to keep from splitting the wood and nail them in place with finish nails at each wall stud location.

Mold Testing

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Mold is a fuzzy cobweb-like growth produced on organic matter by several types of fungi. Mold is also known as mildew although mold is often applied to black, blue, green, and red fungal growths, and mildew to whitish ones.

Black bread mould, Aspergillus Niger, one of the most familiar moulds, begins as a microscopic, airborne spore that germinates on contact with the moist surface of nonliving organic matter. It spreads rapidly, forming the mycelium, which is made up of a fine network of filaments. The mycelium produces other clusters of root-like hyphae, called rhizoids, which penetrate the organic material, secreting enzymes and absorbing water and digested sugars and starches. Other clusters of hyphae called sporangiophores then reach upwards, forming sporangia, which bear the particular color of the mould species. On ripening, the sporangia break open and the windborne spores land elsewhere to reproduce asexually.

Almost everyone including homeowners, landlords, business owners, and employees need to know the identities of the various toxic mold species that may be inhabiting their home, property or office.

Testing Mold

It is very important to identify toxic mold species. This can be done in two simple steps. The first step incorporates the use of a do-it-yourself mold test kits to collect mold samples during a thorough and complete building mold inspection and investigation and the second step is to send the collected mold test samples to a mold laboratory for mold analysis and mold species identification.

How to collect Mold samples

Scrape mold particles off the mold growth area onto the sticky surface of the opened mold test kit.
Use a new paint scraper that has been thoroughly disinfected with ethyl or rubbing alcohol. The scraper should be disinfected after each individual sampling to remove any possible mold contaminants, and thus avoid mold cross-contamination in the sampling process from one sample location to another.

Print the property owners name, the property address, the precise test location at that address, the testing date, and the type of sampling method (mold test kit settling), time duration of the test along with the testers name and contact information. This label should also include each individual test number, as listed on the mold chain of custody form, available free from the mold laboratory. Attach the label to the bottom of the mold test kit that contains that respective, numbered mold sample.

Precaution

During scraping of the mold growth, the tester is advised to wear rubber gloves and a full-face respirator mask with organic vapor filters to protect against exposure to toxic mold.

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Mold Test Kit

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It is very important to identify and timely treat mold as soon as it is discovered. If the presence of mold is discovered or even suspected steps should be taken to treat the mold before it becomes a problem to health.

There are many do-it-yourself mold testing its available in the market and must be used, with the prescribed precautions, to collect and send samples to the laboratory to determine the nature of the mold.

Testing Mold Growth

If an occupant of a building detects the growth of mold on a wall, ceiling, floor, heating or cooling duct register, or any other surface, the mold particles can be scraped off the growth area onto the sticky surface of the opened mold testing kit. During scraping of the mold growth, the tester must wear rubber gloves and a full-face respirator mask with an organic vapor filter. The scraping should be carried out with clean and disinfected paint scrapers and placed on the sticky testing surface designed to prevent the mold from flying and infecting other areas.

Label the Sample

Print neatly on a large pressure sensitive label the name of the property owner, address, precise test location at that address, testing date, and the type of sampling method such as a mold test kit settling, time duration of the test along with the testers name and contact information.

Testing The Indoor Air

Use a separate mold test kit to collect a mold sample from the air of different areas such as Heating or cooling duct register. Expose the sticky side of an open mold test kit to the outward airflow from each separate duct register. Run the system on fan ventilation for a few minutes before removing the mold test kit from each duct register. Then close, seal, and label each mold test kit.

Collecting mod samples of room air by the settling method. Test the air of each room, attic, basement, crawl space, and the garage for the presence of mold by first running a cleaned fan to stir up the air in each room. Shut off the fan, open up a mold test kit, and place it upwards in the middle of the room for about half an hour to allow airborne mold spores to settle down onto the sticky surface of the mold test kit.

Be sure to use the same time for all air test locations for the standardization of the mold test results. Then close, seal, and label the mold test kits. And send them to the mold laboratory for testing.

Concrete molds

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There are many varieties and methods of extending the use and possibilities of creative molding and amongst those favored for both durability and versatility are concrete molds. For those wanting to explore the imaginative and artistic potential of these molds, it is advisable to keep a few tips in mind, when purchasing concrete molds.

Guidelines for buying concrete molds

It is possible that while considering casting- some people refer to it as pouring-molds can use concrete, cement, plaster, ceramic material, wax, soap, and even hypertufa as a medium. There are various types of materials used for the making of molds (or moulds, as they are sometimes spelt). There are latex/rubber molds, which are expensive to buy and require skilled hands to use but the expertise results in some great detailing and unmatched artistic beauty of the constructed item, if used properly.
There are many companies that offer a variety in sizes, shapes and materials for r concrete molds and other molds as well and most of these manufacturers have the convenience of online catalogues and Internet shopping, making the purchase an easy option. Some manufacturers also offer made-to-order molds, and delivery time ranges between 3-5 weeks from placement of order money. For those beginning this as a hobby craft or a business choice, it is important to realize that the investment in concrete molds will be considerable and even with several hundred dollars worth of molds, there are limitations to the different castings to offer your customers, possibly only 5-10 types. It makes better financial sense, therefore, to start with the cheaper and easier to use rigid or semi rigid plastic molds. They are relatively less costly and give an excellent feel for mixing and casting, whatever be the medium. For those investing $150 to $200 in these, there will be20 or 30 different castings to create and sell, increasing the chances of bringing in the cash.

Molds costing, tips and delivery

If purchasing plastic molds for casting concrete, most manufacturers guarantee a delivery within a week of placing the order. These retailers send the molds along with comprehensive instructions on how to use them, pictorial guidelines and possibilities of creative work, thereby simplifying the process of casting with them. Maintained and cleaned well, most of these molds can prove to be very durable and give a great start in any casting business.

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