Is mold an issue in the Desert?
The common misconception is that mold issues are not a problem in the dry desert environment of Phoenix and the surrounding areas. In fact, the opposite may more likely be the case. The valley’s monsoon season with the increased moisture and humidity can easily develop into mold growth within the home. Coupled with the potential of plumbing and/or appliance leaks and floods, the desert can be an optimum place for the presence of mold accumulation.
It is not uncommon for desert dwellers to be less vigilant with regular inspection of areas like the roof for cracks, leaks from old evaporative coolers or gaps around windows and doors, which can allow moisture intrusion. This article reviews different situations where mold growth can be a potential risk and may become a health risk in the home.
What is Mold?
Mold is a fungus and a natural element in the world and is essential for human and animal habitation. The potential problem comes in to place when there is an accumulation of mold in a specific area, which can pose a danger to health or cause property damage. This is where mold testing comes in to help identify the presence and type so a correction plan can be developed.
Like all fungi, mold thrives in moist places. Mold generally spreads by emitting spores (microscopic particles), which are often as small as a single cell. Mold spores are everywhere, outdoors as well as inside your house. The spores float around in the air until they land on a moist surface, where they can form mold.
The best way to prevent the accumulation of mold is to keep the home free of water leaks and excess moisture. This can include items like roof leaks to the attic, damaged plumbing or drain lines and inadequate moisture venting in the bathrooms. These are common areas where mold growth can occur, which may aggravate health or allergy issues.
When to inspect for Mold?
Areas of potential surface mold are relatively easy to identify. Seeing mold in cracks and corners of the home means that there is active growth with potential spread of more spores. The big concern comes with growth in places that can’t be seen, such as in HVAC ducts and between walls. Some areas of concern include:
Water Damage - Roof leak or a broken water pipe are areas that need to be inspected for mold. Any place that got wet and was not quickly dried (within 24 to 48 hours) could become contaminated by mold.
Purchase of a New Home - There is no way to know what kind of prior water damage may have happened in the house. The only way to find out if mold is present is to do a mold inspection.
Vacant Home - After a house has been unoccupied or closed for several months, humidity and moisture could have built up inside and caused mold to grow.
Verification of Mold Remediation - It is often a good idea to do regular mold inspections after a full mold remediation to make sure any presence of mold accumulation is gone.
Visual Presence of Mold - If observed presence of some green, blue, black or white stuff growing in the house, do a surface and environment mold inspection to make sure all areas are located. It might not be restricted to one location.
Types of Mold Inspections
Surface Testing
The mold inspector will be looking for evidence of mold or “microbial” growth. A swab or tape lift to sample that growth will be used. Both swabs and tape lifts are used to see if there is evidence of “current or former growth” as a result of water intrusion or excessive humidity causing the growth. Sometimes the dark or discolored “growth” is not microbial growth and thus, not evidence of water intrusion causing damage to your home. It is important to sample visible growth along with air samples to measure whether an unwarranted exposure exists.
When to have a Surface Sample taken:
When visible mold (or suspected mold) is present.
Where a cleanup or removal of visible mold took place.
When a third party will be involved in effecting repairs to ensure those repairs are done peroperly.
Did You Know?
Mold cannot be easily identified in home by a visual inspection. Past studies indicate that up to 90% of mold growth is not visible on the surface. An air quality inspection is necessary for a complete assessment of the extent of mold contamination in a building.
Indoor Air Quality Testing
A mold testing professional will determine the number of air samples that will be taken inside the home, along with an outdoor sample to compare the inside samples to as a baseline or control sample. Air samples can tell you if you have hidden moisture or leaks that are producing spores that may represent a health risk.
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.
When you should consider an Indoor Air Quality Test:
When a recent or past water event is suspected.
A “musty” smell is noticed.
An occupant of the home is predisposed to respiratory distress.
Recent mold remediation took place and you want to verify the effectiveness.
A typical mold inspection includes the inspector talking to the property owner (whenever possible) about any areas where they have seen mold, or where there have been prior moisture problems or water damage. The inspector will go over the house thoroughly, looking in places known to be prone to mold growth. If there is a chance mold is growing in an inaccessible space, the inspector may have to take a combination of test samples to get a better idea of the issues. If mold is detected, the inspector will try to find the source of the moisture that is causing the mold and communicate potential next steps for remediation. The first step for any mold remediation plan is always to remove the source of moisture to stop the continued growth of the mold.
When working with small areas of mold growth, it can generally be a do-it-yourself job. Hard surfaces can be scrubbed and washed. Soft surfaces like carpets or foam tiles may have to be cut out and replaced. However, if the mold contamination exceeds 10 square feet, the EPA recommends calling in an experienced contractor in mold remediation. Mold can be dangerous, or at least unpleasant, to work with, especially for someone with allergies or asthma. That’s why larger contaminations are better left to professionals with the correct safety gear and cleaning equipment.
Preventing Mold
Quick Mold Prevention Checklist:
Fix cracked, broken, or missing roof shingles.
Repair missing materials that may have been blown off the roof.
Repair poor roof seals.
Getting rid of mold in your house can be a major task, and large area 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:
Repair leaks promptly. Whether it is a leak in your roof or a damaged water pipe, fix leaks to keep unwanted moisture out of the house.
Clean and dry excessive moisture areas promptly. Dry everything out within 24 to 48 hours. Mold needs moisture to grow, so prompt drying is vital.
Control excessive humidity that can provide enough moisture for mold to form on surfaces. Use a dehumidifier and run the air-conditioning to help reduce humidity. Make sure all bathroom exhaust vents are operating properly in the bathrooms. This will keep humidity down and keep moisture under control.
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.
