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. Food like 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:
improper flashing at chimneys,
skylights, vents and other breaches in the roof skin
gutters and facia not properly installed or deteriorated.
Also,
windows not properly flashed
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
negative drainage around the foundation
The conditions
on the interior of a home that are conducive for 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, Allstate Home Inspection & Environmental
Testing Certified Master Inspector Certified Environmental Home Inspector Certified Residential Mold Inspector Licensed
Construction Supervisor 978-897-7130 http://www.pottowitzhomeinspector.com/
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