Fore Front Home Inspections  Protecting your Investment  Mould and Allergen Testing          What is Mould Mould is the common word for any Fungus that grows on food or damp building materials. It often looks like a dark stain and comes in a variety of types and colours. In some cases, however, mould may not be visible but may produce a musty odour. Mould allowed to grow can contribute to poor indoor air quality, contaminate and weaken of   building components such as support columns, beams, structural walls, wall and floor coverings, windows and ventilation HVAC system. Remediation and repairs to building structure can lead into thousands of dollars if left unchecked. High humidity, poor air ventilation, condensation or leaks from outside or inside a dwelling structure all produce the kind of indoor environment, which will allow mould to grow.   In order to reproduce, moulds release small “SPORES” into the air. Mould spores exist in all outdoor environments and are part of the natural eco system. If indoor mould spores counts are at an elevated level in comparisons to outdoor levels then mould may exist within the dwelling. Sensitive individuals may react to organic components of mould; living or dormant mould can be allergenic.   Eye, nose and throat irritations Coughing and phlegm build-up Wheezing and shortness of breath Allergic reactions Asthma One should seek the advice of a medicinal expert if any of the conducive occur Have there been conditions inside the dwelling conducive to mould growth Flood damage or continuous damp basement and crawl spaces Bare earth basement or crawl space floors Leaking water supply pipes Leaking or damaged waste drain pipes Pooling or standing water Leaking or damaged roof systems Continuous high moisture levels within the dwelling All these conditions are conducive to mould growth if corrective measures are not taken within 24 to 48 hours Mould growth may not be visible, existing behind finished walls, ceiling of an affected dwelling Staining or dark spots on building materials may not be mould, apparent mould growth is an assumption   Sampling and testing for mould requires services of a qualified professional, uses certified equipment and methods, accredited laboratory of all samples to determine if this is mould as well as, Chain of Custody Documents      Recommend %RH settings to reduce risk of condensation on windows and inside wall cavities. Preventing condensation “DEW POINT” will reduce the risk for mould growth and conditions conducive to mould growth.               Outdoor Air Temperature Deg C   |   Percentage of Relative Humidity %RH                                                   -30  --------------------  15%                                                    -25  --------------------  20%                                                   -20  --------------------  25%                                                   -15  --------------------  30%                                                   -10  --------------------  35%                                                    -5   --------------------  40%                                                     0   --------------------  45%                                                                                                            Dewpoint Calculator                                                              Print Chart                                                                                             Allergens      Individuals may have become sensitive to dust mites, plant pollen or pet dander Common reactions are: ·        Eye, nose and throat irritations ·        Coughing and phlegm build-up ·        Wheezing and shortness of breath ·        Allergic reactions ·        Asthma One should seek the advice of a medicinal expert if any of the conditions occur   Have there been conditions inside the dwelling conducive to producing Allergens ·        Have there been or are there pets in the dwelling ·        Delayed general house keeping and upkeep ·        Carpets within a dwelling will trap many allergens including dust mites, pet dander, pollen and mould spores ·        Delayed maintenance and cleaning of the HVAC system duct work   Carpets even after extensive cleaning can hold a history of the environment Sampling and testing for allergens requires services of a qualified professional, uses certified equipment and methods, accredited laboratory of all samples to determine types of allergens found, as well as Chain of Custody Documents.                    Ottawa Home Inspector | Ottawa ON Real Estate Inspection | Ottawa Mould Inspectors | Ottawa Home Inspections | Ottawa Real Estate Inspections