Q1. Can Mold Removal Make You Sick?
Ans. Yes. If a decontamination process is not carried of properly, the mycotoxins released from mold, improper / incomplete decontamination process or the products used in the decontamination process can be dangerous. It is very important that mold removal is carried out by a certified professional.
Q2. How To Reduce Mold Growth?
Ans. Mold needs 3 elements colonize (grow). The presents of mold spores, a substrate (biological food), and water. Mold spores are present everywhere there is air and most building materials have biological content. So controlling water, humidity, condensation and keeping building materials dry is how we reduce or eliminate mold growth.
Q3. How Do I Know Its Mold?
Ans. In many cases visual identification is possible to the trained eye. In other cases, air quality, swab, or tape lift sampling can be performed and sent to a certified lab for analysis.
Q4. How Is Air Testing Performed?
Ans. Air quality testing is done by drawing a specific volume of air through an air sample cassette for a period of time using a calibrated air pump. This sample is then sent to a certified lab for analysis.
Q5. How Long Does Mold Removal Takes?
Ans. In the case of an attic, the decontamination process usually takes 3 days not including any corrective work (clearing soffits, roof work, etc.) In the case of a basement, the decontamination process can usually be done in 5-7 days not including corrective work (French drains, plumbing, etc.)
Q6. How To Permanently Remove Mold from The Bathroom?
Ans. Bathrooms are constantly exposed to all 3 forms of water. Condensation, high air humidity, and direct water flow. It is important that the proper building materials are used in a bathroom, they are properly shielded from water, and there is good ventilation. Refer to FAQ #2
Q7. Is Mold Harmful? or Is Mold Harmful to My Health?
Ans. Mold can be devastating to building materials, but mold its self is not always harmful. The mycotoxins and spores released by mold can be harmful. Many water marker species can produce harmful mycotoxins.
Example Alternaria spores are one of the most common and potent indoor and outdoor airborne allergens. Additionally, Alternaria sensitization has been determined to be one of the most important factors in the onset of childhood asthma. Synergy with Cladosporium or Ulocladium may increase the severity of symptoms.
Q8. What Are the Costs of Mold Removal?
Ans. The average attic can cost up to $5000 not including corrective measures. The average basement can cost up to $20,000 not including corrective measures. The average attic costs with I.A.Q. Strategies is around $3000 with some corrective measures included in the price. The average basement costs with I.A.Q. Strategies is around $10,000.
Q9. What Are some of the Different Types of Mold?
Ans. There are over 100,000 species of mold. Some of the common species are:
Alternaria (Ulocladium) –
Ascospores –
Aspergillus/Penicillium Low –
Basidiospores –
Bipolaris++ –
Chaetomium –
Cladosporium Rare –
Curvularia –
Epicoccum –
Fusarium –
Ganoderma –
Myxomycetes++ –
Pithomyces++ –
Rust –
Scopulariopsis/Microascus –
Stachybotrys/Memnoniella Rare –
Unidentifiable Spores –
Zygomycetes –
Tritirachium
Typical water marker species are:
Penicillium/Aspergillus
The most common mold spore species to appear in indoor air samples. The majority of the hundreds of sub-species are allergenic; only a few are toxic. This group of species only grows with the humidity in the air as its water source.
Cladosporium
The most common mold species and is considered to be allergenic.
Curvularia
Another common allergenic mold.
Chaetomium
A common water marker that usually indicates wet paper and/or drywall.
Stachybotrys
The most common toxic mold species, but not all sub-species are toxic. These species need a direct water source to grow.
Memnoniella
A sister mold to Stachybotrys. The two species will grow together; also considered toxic. Because mold spore species and levels differ within each state, agreements are hard to come by with analysts and scientists. A comparison to an outdoor air sample is usually used as the rule of thumb.