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Mold, Moisture and Your Home

Why is mold growing in my home?

Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless moldspores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing.  Molds have thepotential to cause health problems.  Molds produce allergens(substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants and, in somecases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins).  Inhaling or touchingmold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitiveindividuals.  Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, suchas sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are common.  They can be immediate ordelayed.  Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma whoare allergic to mold.  In addition, mold exposure can irritate theeyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs of both mold-allergic andnon-allergic people.  Symptoms other than the allergic and irritanttypes are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold.  Researchon mold and health effects is ongoing.  This article provides a briefoverview; it does not describe all potential health effects related tomold exposure.  For more detailed information, consult a healthprofessional.  You may also wish to consult your state or local healthdepartment.

How do I get rid of mold?  

You must have completely fixed the water or moistureproblem before the cleanup or remediation can be considered finished,based on the following guidelines:  

• You should have completed the mold removal.  Visible mold and moldy odors should not be present.  Please note that mold may cause staining and cosmetic damage.   
• You should have revisited the site(s) shortly after cleanup, and it should show no signs of water damage or mold growth.  
• People should have been able to occupy or re-occupy the area without health complaints or physical symptoms.  
• Ultimately, this is a judgment call; there is no easy answer. If you have concerns or questions, be sure to ask your InterNACHI inspector during your next scheduled inspection.

• Moisture control is the key to mold control, so when water leaks or spills occur indoors, ACT QUICKLY.  If wet or damp materials or areas are dried within 24 to 48 hours after a leak or spill happens, in most cases, mold will not grow.  
  
• Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.  
  
• Make sure the ground slopes away from the building's foundation so that water does not enter or collect around the foundation.  
  
• Keep air-conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly.
• Keep indoor humidity low.  If possible, keep indoor humidity below 60% relative humidity (ideally, between 30% to 50%).  Relative humidity can be measured with a moisture or humidity meter, which is a small, inexpensive instrument (from $10 to $50) that is available at many hardware stores.  
  
• If you see condensation or moisture collecting on windows, walls or pipes, ACT QUICKLY to dry the wet surface and reduce the moisture/water source.  Condensation can be a sign of high humidity.

Actions that will help to reduce humidity:

• Vent appliances that produce moisture, such as clothes dryers, stoves, and kerosene heaters, to the outdoors, where possible.  (Combustion appliances, such as stoves and kerosene heaters, produce water vapor and will increase the humidity unless vented to the outside.)  
  
• Use air conditioners and/or de-humidifiers when needed.  
  
• Run the bathroom fan or open the window when showering.  Use exhaust fans or open windows whenever cooking, running the dishwasher or dishwashing, etc.

Actions that will help prevent condensation:

• Reduce the humidity (see above).  
  
• Increase ventilation and air movement by opening doors and/or windows, when practical.  Use fans as needed.  
  
• Cover cold surfaces, such as cold water pipes, with insulation.  
  
• Increase air temperature.

 

        

        

Buying home is one of the most expensive purchase decision you will ever make. Typically you have 5 - 10 days to find a Professional Home Inspector, have the home inspected, and get those defects repaired.

This is not a time to shop for a cheap inspection. Prepare in advance to hire a Certified Inspector you trust and works in your best interests. The cost of an inspection is very small relative to the home price and your commission you will pay your Agent. It may even save you life.

Typical cost for an inspection is about $300. The cost of hiring a Certified Home Inspector is insignificant in comparison to the costs, time, and frustrations repairing a home with a major defect or safety hazard. Major defects could be structural or safety related like not having the proper garage fire proofing to protect your family. These items to the untrained eye would be concealed.

As a home buyer, you have recently been crunching the numbers, negotiating offers, adding up closing costs, shopping for mortgages, and trying to get the best deals. Do not stop now. Do not let your real estate agent or anyone else talk you into skimping here. Hire a certified Home Inspector. The Buyers who hires a Certified Inspector are more satisfied with their home buying experience and in most cases know the home better than the Seller. This is a significant Buyer's advantage that will give you the confidence and allow you to make a sound buying decision. Remember this is your last chance to thoroughly walk through and inspect the components and systems of the home before the closing. Visit my website to lean more www.innovativehomeinspection.com. This article is published by Innovative Home Inspection, we are "helping to secure your home investment". We provide Profession Home Inspection Services including Mold and Radon Testing throughout SE Michigan.

        

 It is very common to see cracks in the foundation concrete walls or floors during an Inspection. Most times they are not a structural concern but shrinkage because of differences in temperature and moisture of the concrete during the drying process. These differences cause a  build of tensile stress that are relieved through cracking.

The following are visual clues which help to differentiate shrinkage cracks from other types of cracks which can appear in concrete slabs and foundation walls.

• Vertical displacement:
  Cracks which are caused by soil settlement or heaving typically exhibit vertical displacement of the concrete; concrete on one side of the crack will be higher than concrete on the other side.
  
• Linear crack continuity:
  Cracks caused by shrinkage are typically not linearly continuous. Although they make look continuous at first, if viewed closely, interruptions in the crack line can be seen.
  
• Continuity through the slab:
  Shrinkage cracks are not continuous through the slab, but are actually cracks in the concrete surface.
  
• Corrosion:
  When reinforcement steel is placed too near the surface, it can corrode. Expansion results as steel is converted to iron oxide through corrosion. This expansion can crack the concrete surface. When the crack is caused by corroding steel, corrosion is typically visible at the slab surface.
  
• Alkali-aggregate reaction:
  Alkali-aggregate reaction is deterioration resulting from the reaction of an aggregate with alkali hydroxides in the concrete. Indications of this type of deterioration may be a network of cracks, closed or spalling joints, or displacement of different portions of a structure.

If your concrete foundation walls or floors have cracks and you are not sure if they are a concern, give Innovation Home Inspection a call and I would be happy to evaluate and provide you with a written Inspection Report and recommendation.  Call 734-664-5853.

Some of the Information is provide by InterNACHI.

        

 
One end of a combination wrench set is open and the other end is a closed loop. Nuts and bolts are manufactured in standard and metric sizes and because both varieties are widely used, so you’ll need both sets of wrenches. For the most control and leverage, always pull the wrench toward you, instead of pushing on it. Also, avoid over-tightening.

Use slip-joint pliers to grab hold of a nail, a nut, a bolt, and much more. These types of pliers are versatile because of the jaws, which feature both flat and curved areas for gripping many types of objects. There is also a built-in slip-joint, which allows the user to quickly adjust the jaw size to suit most tasks.

Adjustable wrenches are somewhat awkward to use and can damage a bolt or nut if they are not handled properly. However, adjustable wrenches are ideal for situations where you need two wrenches of the same size. Screw the jaws all the way closed to avoid damaging the bolt or nut.

8.  Hacksaw
These are great for cutting metal objects such as pipes, bolts and brackets. Hacksaws look thin and flimsy, but they’ll easily cut through even the hardest of metals. Blades are replaceable, so focus your purchase on a quality hacksaw frame.
 
9. Torpedo Level
Only a level can be used to determine if something, such as a shelf, appliance or picture, is correctly oriented. The torpedo-style level is unique because it not only shows when an object is perfectly horizontal or vertical, but it also has a gauge that shows when an object is at a 45-degree angle. The bubble in viewfinder must be exactly in the middle, not merely close.

10.  Safety Glasses / Goggles
For all tasks involving a hammer or a power tool, you should always wear safety glasses or goggles. They should also be worn while you mix chemicals.

11.  Claw Hammer
A good hammer is one of the most important tools you can own.  Use it to drive and remove nails, to pry wood loose from the house, and in combination with other tools. They come in a variety of sizes, although a 16-ounce hammer is the best all-purpose choice.

12.  Screwdriver Set
It is best to have four screwdrivers: a small and large version of both a flat-head and a Phillips- head screwdriver. Electrical screwdrivers are sometimes convenient, but they're no substitute.  Manual screwdrivers can reach into more places and they are less likely to damage the screw. 

14.  Respirator / Safety Mask
While paints and other coatings have become less toxic (and lead-free) over time, most still contain dangerous chemicals, which is why you should wear a mask to avoid accidentally getting them in your lungs. A mask should also be worn when working in dusty or dirty environments. Disposable masks usually come in packs of 10 and should be thrown away after use. Full and half-face respirators can be used to prevent the inhalation of very fine particles that ordinary facemasks will not not stop. 

        

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