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Seattle Mold
Inspections
Mold can present many health
challenges, from mild allergies to more severe illnesses.
Mold needs to
have moisture; household mold
is often due to moisture problems. Mold also needs food and
nutrients. Most materials found in homes will support the
growth of mold if they become damp.
Flooding,
leaking water pipes or fixtures, backed-up or faulty drain
plumbing, leaky roofs, use of humidifiers, extensive use of
hot water indoors (laundering, cooking, bathing) without
adequate venting for steam, damp basements or
crawlspaces, and unvented combustion appliances are all
important sources of indoor moisture, and can support mold
growth.
Extensive colonies
can also produce enough spores and
by-products to be harmful to health. Many by-products
of mold and mildew are irritating to skin, eyes and
respiratory tracts. Some molds produce true allergic
sensitization and allergic reactions in susceptible people.
There are molds that produce toxic by-products that could be harmful
to skin, and poisonous if ingested or inhaled.
If you
suspect that a property you are about to purchase has any
degree of mold, ask Seattle Home Inspections to include a mold inspection.
For more
information about mold, refer to
this brochure from the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA). |
