Mold Testing – Do You Need it?
DO YOU NEED MOLD TESTING?
Living in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley area, mold is a common topic that comes up with home inspections. Northwood Home Inspections provides mold testing and can be added to any home inspection or done on its own.
Below is some information on mold and why you may want to consider mold testing on your home.
WHAT IS MOLD?
- Mold is considered a sub-group of
the Fungi Kingdom - Mold are asexual fungi
- Present on clothing, carpet, air we breathe, everywhere
- Types Include: Aspergillus, Penicillium, Botrytis, Stachybotrys, Fusarium, etc.
- Produce spores that are extremely small and can be airborne
MOLD FACTS
- Water is the problem, mold is the symptom
- You can’t get rid of mold
- Rare occurrences of a mold spore may not be significant
WHAT DOES MOLD DO?
- Decay dead plant material
- Produce mycotoxins
- Some are pathogenic, toxigenic, allergenic
- Many commercial uses, e.g., medicine, food, commercial products
- Need moisture, food source, and amiable temperature
MOLD IN BUILDINGS
- Mold have found a great climate and plenty to eat in buildings
- Almost no competition or predators
- Really are a natural part of the building
- Some types are very common indoors, e.g., Cladosporium, Stachybotrys, Penicillium, Aspergillus
HEALTH EFFECTS OF MOLD
- Allergic reaction = by far the most common, inhalation of spores or touching
- Asthma = mold spores can trigger or make asthma worse
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis = develop after acute or chronic exposure
- Opportunistic infections = invasion into an immunocompromised host
- Mycotoxic = fungal poisons, only anecdotal evidence for humans
- Glucans = Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome (ODTS) flu-like symptoms
MOLD CAN BE FOUND:
- Inside HVAC systems and duct work
- Front and back side of drywall
- Basements
- Kitchens
- Washer / Dryer area
- Bathrooms
Contact Northwood Home Inspections to learn more about our mold testing.
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