There are more than 100,000 identified varieties
of this tiny fungi growth. And not all forms of mold are bad. For example, mold is beneficial for digesting
all kinds of organic matter outside our homes - such as leaves and fallen trees. Also, certain species are useful to
man, providing us with such things as yogurt and penicillin.
Every so often you hear a story about people becoming
chronically ill from mold in their home. This can happen from some molds, such as Stachybotris.
The
only thing mold needs in order to grow is moisture, a little heat and some food. The food that the dangerous Stachybotris
needs is high in cellulose and low in nitrogen. Foods that this mold loves are wood (structural or trim), fiberboard,
sheetrock and paper that becomes chronically wet. The key to preventing indoor mold is moisture control.
If
chronically wet material is part of the mold equation, you must first recognize the conditions that can allow moisture to
enter the structure of the home.
On the exterior of the home, the most common defects include:
1. improper flashing at chimneys, skylights,
vents and other breaches in the roof skin
2. gutters and facia not properly installed or deteriorated
3. windows not properly flashed
4. siding or
trim not properly installed including the notorious synthetic stucco.
Other areas receptive to mold growth include
decks that are improperly flashed where they attach to the home and wood touching the ground-allowing it to wick up moisture
and negative drainage around the foundation. The conditions in the interior of a home that are conducive to mold growth include lack
of adequate ventilation of bathrooms, crawl spaces and attics. Another condition for mold growth comes from moisture
from leaking skylights, pipes and toilet flanges.
Fortunately all the conditions described in this article
are frequently easy to recognize.
Peter
Ottowitz, Hawkeye Home Inspection & Environmental Testing
Certified Master Inspector
Certified Environmental
Home Inspector
Certified Residential Mold Inspector
Licensed Construction Supervisor
CMC Certified Energy Auditor
Level One Thermographer
800-781-7130
http://www.hawkeyeinspectors.com
http://www.hawkeyeaudit.com
http://igetthehouse.com
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