Mold and mold spores are ubiquitous organisms which can be found anywhere, growing on any organic substance as long as there is moisture, warmth, and oxygen. Excessive moisture and humidity inside a building can lead to mold spores to bloom and flourish. If not found or ignored, it can grow very quickly. If you suspect your commercial building or industrial facility may have mold: Contact us immediately for an assessment and the appropriate testing.

Mold and mildew thrive where poor ventilation allows excess moisture and heat to accumulate such as: closets, laundry rooms, utility rooms, equipment rooms, and kitchens. These places in the home often have heat producing equipment that adds to the environment mold thrives in.

A very large part of the population is sensitive to mold. Mold exposure can cause minor allergic symptoms including: digestive problems, wheezing, rashes, nasal congestion, and itchy watery eyes. Those with severe allergies to mold can have a much more serious reaction including fever and shortness of breath. Furthermore, people with preexisting conditions, chronic lung illnesses and immunosuppresed individuals may develop mold infections inside their lungs.

U.S. EPA’s web portal on mold

New York Times Article on Mold

A major concern associated with exposure to biological pollutants is allergic reactions, which range from rhinitis, nasal congestion, conjunctival inflammation, gastrointestinal illness and urticaria to asthma. Notable triggers for these diseases are allergens derived from house dust mites; other insects, 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) and have caused asthma epidemics. Many proteins of non-human origin can cause asthma in a susceptible part of the population.

If a building smells moldy, the chance of discovering high levels of mold is increased. This can be especially true if there has been roof or pipe leaks or residents are reporting new health problems. Mold can hide in places such as  in wall cavities behind the drywall, insulation, inside cabinets or behind paneling, the top side of ceiling tiles, carpets and pads.  Mold can be found where any condensation forms.

Investigating hidden mold problems may be difficult and should be done by an independent mold testing professional such as Pinnacle Property Inspections. The homeowner should not disturb the sites of possible mold growth by cleaning with the use of harsh chemicals prior to testing. We 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.

1. Health symptoms associated with mold exposure include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory illnesses.
2. The only way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture and humidity. It is impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores.
3. If mold is a problem in your residence or place of work, you should have it tested by a neutral professional immediately.
4. Fix the source of the water intrusion or leaks to prevent additional mold growth.
5. Reduce indoor humidity level (to 30-60%) by: installing ventilation in bathrooms and utility rooms and other humid locations.
6. Properly dry any damp furnishings or wet building materials within 48 hours to highly reduce the opportunity for mold to grow.
7. After proper testing and results, clean all hard surfaces with water and detergent and allow to completely dry. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tile, carpets and insulation that are moldy will need to be professionally cleaned or replaced.
8. Condensation can be reduced on cold hard surfaces such as windows, floors, piping, condensate lines, and HVAC equipment located inside a conditioned space by adding additional insulation.
9. Do not install carpeting in wet areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms, screened porches, etc. In commercial facilities, also in janitor closets or near drinking fountains.
10. It has been reported that up to 75,000 species of mold exists and possibly up to a million unidentified. Mold growth can be found on vertical or horizontal surfaces as long as there is condensation or moisture present.

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 humidity that allows the perfect environment for mold growth. Problems in these facilities are also related to inadequate maintenance, and the lack of properly trained labor to perform 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 any size location, day, night and weekends for your convenience and privacy.