Mold and mold spores can be found anywhere, it can grow any organic substance as long as it has moisture, warmth, and oxygen. Excessive moisture and humidity inside a building can lead to mold growth. If not addressed or found, it can grow very quickly. If you suspect your residence, commercial building, or industrial facility may have mold: Contact us immediately for an assessment and the appropriate testing.
Mold and mildew thrive where moisture and heat can not be adequately ventilated, such as: closets, laundry rooms, utility rooms, equipment rooms, and kitchens. These places in the home often have heat producing equipment that allow mold to flourish.
A very large part of the population is sensitive to mold. Exposure can cause relatively minor symptoms including: digestive problems, wheezing, skin irritation, nasal stuffiness, and eye irritation. Those with severe allergies to mold can have a much more serious reaction including fever and shortness of breath. Furthermore, people with preexisting conditions and chronic lung illnesses may develop mold infections inside their lungs.
A major concern associated with exposure to biological pollutants is allergic reactions, which range from rhinitis, nasal congestion, conjunctival inflammation, upper gastrointestinal illness and urticaria to asthma. Notable triggers for these diseases are allergens derived from house dust mites; other arthropods, including cockroaches; pets (cats, dogs, birds, rodents); molds; and protein-containing furnishings, including feathers, kapok, etc. Pinnacle Property Inspections can test for all of these allergens in your home or place of work. Contact us for information and pricing. In commercial and industrial facilities, including multi-family housing (i.e. apartment buildings, dorms, military barracks), more unusual allergens are found (i.e., bacterial enzymes, algae) have caused asthma epidemics. Probably most proteins of non-human origin can cause asthma in a certain part of the population.
If a building smells moldy, there is a good chance there is mold. This can be especially true if there has been water damage or residents are starting to report health problems. Mold can hide in places such as the back side of dry wall, in wall cavities, insulation, beneath cabinets or behind paneling, the top side of ceiling tiles, carpets and pads, especially where any kind of condensation forms.
Investigating hidden mold problems may be difficult and should be done by an independent consultant mold testing professional such as Pinnacle Property Inspections. The homeowner should not disturb potential sites of mold growth especially by cleaning with the use of harsh chemicals. We also have the ability to sample inside wall cavities in most cases without drilling a hole. If you believe that you may have a hidden mold problem, contact us immediately.
Building construction practices and energy code changes in the past few decades have been linked to increased moisture problems in industrial and commercial buildings. Tightly sealed buildings make it very difficult for moisture to escape, leading to buildup that creates a happy environment for mold growth. Problems in these facilities are also related with delayed and/or insufficient maintenance, and the lack of properly trained labor to handle the maintenance.
Temporary office spaces, portable classrooms, and other short-term structures have frequent moisture intrusion issues that develop into mold concerns.
Pinnacle Property Inspections can test in any size location day, night and weekends.
