Mold is everywhere in our environment.  Usually mold spores remain dormant until the right conditions come along to fertilize it.  Mold spores need moisture, oxygen and warmth in order to bloom and grow.  Any time mold spores make their way into a warm dark place in your home or building, an infestation can take place.  Poor ventilation in small rooms such as closets, laundry rooms and bathrooms can lend to growth conditions for mold. If ignored or goes unnoticed, mold can grow very quickly in your building.  Often when mold is growing in your building it will be in a hidden location such as behind walls, furniture, above ceiling tiles, in attics, HVAC ducts, etc.  If you are suspicious of a mold problem in your commercial building or industrial facility, contact Pinnacle Property Inspections for appropriate testing and assessment.

Many folks are sensitive to mold. Exposure can cause a range of symptoms, from minor to more serious.  Minor symptoms are similar to allergy symptoms:  runny nose, itchy watery eyes, rashes, nasal congestion and sore throats.  More serious complications of mold exposure (pneumonia) generally happen to people with pre-existing pulmonary problems such as asthma or COPD.  Other people at risk are the elderly, very young or immunosuppressed.

U.S. EPA’s web portal on mold

New York Times Article on Mold

Allergic reactions range from rhinitis, nasal congestion, conjunctival inflammation, gastrointestinal illness and urticaria to asthma. Allergens for these diseases are house dust mites; cockroaches; pets (cats, dogs, birds, rodents); molds; and protein-containing furnishings, including feathers, kapok, etc. Pinnacle Property Inspections can test for all of these allergens in your commercial building or industrial facility. Contact us for a quote. Unusual allergens tend to exist in commercial and industrial facilities, including multi-family housing (i.e. apartment buildings, dorms, military barracks). Any proteins of non-human origin can cause allergic symptoms and asthma in susceptible individuals.

If there has been roof leaks, pipe leaks or other causes of water intrusion and a building smells moldy, then it’s highly possible that mold spore levels will be elevated.  Once an odor is detected, the infestation can be extreme.  This is because mold infestations often occur in places of the home not seen with the eye, such as behind drywall, inside HVAC ducts, and other places we normally don’t look, like in the back of cabinets and closets.  Any time absorbent materials have been moist and not dried properly or discarded, mold can set up shop to detrimental effects on your building.

Pinnacle Property Inspections is experienced in testing for mold in all types of buidings.  We have the ability to test inside of walls, most times without drilling a hole.  We can advise you about areas where moisture could be coming from and how to stop the conditions contributing the mold problem.  Before testing, the potential sites for mold growth should not be disturbed and should not be cleaned with any chemicals.  Contact us for professional testing in Florence and surrounding areas.

1. Health effects and symptoms associated with mold contact and exposure include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory illnesses.
2. The only way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture. It is impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores.
3. If mold is a problem in your residence or place of work, you should have it tested by a professional immediately.
4. Fix the source of the water intrusion or leaks to prevent additional mold growth.
5. Reduce indoor humidity level (to 30-60%) to decrease mold growth by: installing ventilation in bathrooms and utility rooms and other locations that generate heat.
6. Properly dry any damp furnishings or wet building materials within 48 hours to highly reduce the opportunity for mold to grow.
7. After proper testing and results, remediate by cleaning all hard surfaces with water and detergent and completely dry. Materials such as ceiling tile, carpets and insulation that are moldy will need to be professionally cleaned or replaced.
8. Condensation can be reduced on cold hard surfaces such as windows, floors, piping, condensate lines, and HVAC equipment located inside a conditioned space by adding additional insulation.
9. Do not install carpeting in wet areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms, screened porches, etc. In commercial facilities, also in janitor closets or near drinking fountains.
10. It has been reported that up to 75,000 species of mold exists and possibly up to a million unidentified. Mold growth can be found on vertical or horizontal surfaces as long as there is condensation or moisture present.

Building construction practices have geared us to build very tightly sealed buildings.  This can be problematic if adequate ventilation has not been installed.  Heat producing equipment in small rooms and poor maintenance can lend to humid environment inside allowing for mold growth.

Temporary office spaces, portable classrooms, and other short-term structures have frequent moisture intrusion issues that develop into mold concerns.

Pinnacle Property Inspections can test any size location and type of facility, day, night and weekends for your convenience and discretion.