Licensed Mold Assessment Consultant - MAC License #1605
Indoor air contamination is an emotionally charged issue. Mold spores can cause allergic reactions, especially to people with asthma, allergies or a compromised immune system. A causal link between more serious health effects and mold exposure is a topic of debate and on-going research within the scientific community.
While not all mold in Texas produces Mycotoxins—poisonous metabolites capable of causing death and disease—a variety of molds can biodegrade organic materials like wood and water-soluble minerals (including gypsum, used in drywall/sheetrock), leading to property damage. Left unchecked, mold can quickly form into unsightly large colonies wherever moisture or humidity exist.
The main thing is don't wait!. Call me as soon as possible. 281-702-0542
Mold assessment — I always begin with a visual inspection of the property to identify visible mold and water damage. A moisture meter or thermal imaging camera is used to identify building materials containing excessive moisture. Based upon the results of the initial investigation, additional investigation, repair of the moisture source and/or remediation of water damaged or mold-contaminated building materials may be recommended.
Mold requires a moisture source to proliferate in an indoor environment. Whether the moisture source is a roof leak, plumbing leak, problems with the exterior building envelope or problems associated with the mechanical system (i.e. air conditioning drain pan leak or excessive humidity), a critical step in the mold identification and remediation process is to identify and remove the source of the moisture before replacement or cleaning of water-damaged or mold-contaminated materials. I work with professionals from many trades to accomplish this critical task.
Offering comprehensive mold inspections and mold identification services. I perform visual inspections, take moisture readings and collect samples for laboratory analysis by a Texas licensed laboratory.
If I identify a mold growth condition, I will give you the comfort, that I will recommend the most practical and cost-effective mold remediation solutions.
I provide rapid results for my clients and can provide 24-hour laboratory results when requested. Detailed reporting and clear, concise, professionally written mold remediation protocols sets me apart from other mold assessment and consulting firms.
What is mold?
Mold is a fungus, and like all fungi, it thrives in moist places. Mold spreads by emitting spores, microscopic particles often as small as a single cell. Spores float around in the air until they land on a surface. Mold spores are everywhere, outdoors as well as inside your house. It would be practically impossible to remove all mold spores from a house without installing some kind of massive industrial clean room filtration system.
Luckily, mold spores only form mold when they land on a moist surface. That means that if you can keep the interior of your home dry and keep the "Relative Humidity" level below 60% you will avoid having any problems with mold. The best way to prevent mold in your home is to clean up spills, repair leaks in your roof, plumbing or HVAC system and make sure your kitchen and bathroom are properly venting moisture out of the house.
There are two major reasons to clean up and remove any mold growing in your house: mold damages the surface it is growing on and mold may aggravate allergies or asthma.
When to inspect for mold
One good thing about mold— if you have a mold problem, you can see it. A visual inspection is all that it takes to find mold in your house. A few situations should make you look for any mold problems in your house.
Preventing mold
Getting rid of mold in your house can be a major task, and remediation can be expensive if the mold is widespread. The best solution to mold problems is to prevent them from ever happening. Here are some tips on preventing mold:
Mold is a serious problem, and spotting mold contamination before it grows out of control can save you thousands of dollars. This makes the cost of a mold inspection well worth a few hundred dollars when you are buying a new house. The important thing is, if you see mold in your house, you need to get rid of it as soon as possible.
If you have additional questions, call me. 281-702-0542.