Tacoma Mold Testing & Inspections
Finding mold-infested materials in your house is alarming, but instead of rushing into the first option that comes your way, you need to find a mold testing expert that guarantees a permanent fix. Our goal isn’t to get repeat customers, but to deliver high-quality services that permanently take care of your mold issue.
At Environix, we deliver mold testing and inspection services with a unique approach. We don’t only focus on identifying the type of mold. Our team also locates the source of the problem and assures you that it won’t come back.
What You Need to Know About Mold
Mold is present virtually everywhere. However, when found indoors, concentrated spore levels can lead to certain health complications. Not only this but having mold in your house can also cause thousands of dollars worth of property and structural damage.
This is why hiring a knowledgeable mold testing expert in Tacoma is critical. With the right help, you can spot a potential threat before it causes any major health problems or financial damages.
Does Mold Cause Health Problems?
The short answer is yes, but in order to understand the health effects of mold, we’ll first need to clear up a few misconceptions. Allergies and asthma are the primary health concerns caused by mold exposure. Certain infections and other diseases may also occur, but these mostly affect people that have compromised immune systems.
As for most people, respiratory symptoms are the main problems associated with high mold levels. And, the best way to actually identify the presence of unusual mold levels is through indoor mold testing.
If Mold is Present Everywhere, Why Should I Worry About It?
Yes, mold growth is a natural phenomenon, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t affect the human body. Think about it as pollen, which are natural airborne particles that produce unpleasant effects for millions of people around the globe.
In this scenario, having flowers scattered all over your house would unpleasant for someone with pollen allergies because the pollen would cause a severe reaction. It’s the same with mold growth.
Increased humidity and water intrusion can create the perfect environment for this type of fungus to thrive. In some Tacoma homes, mold levels can be 10x or even 100x higher than the background readings
For people that have chronic asthma and allergies, this is a huge problem. Having a mold testing professional inspect your home can help prevent these reactions and create a healthier indoor environment for your family.
How Traditional Mold Testing Works
We opened our doors in 2003 only to realize that the accepted mold standard wasn’t doing much for our customers. While it’s true that folks received a full report with the type of mold that was found, these results never included a solution. Traditional mold testing and inspections in Tacoma follow a pattern that looks like this:
- Sample collection
- Lab testing
- Results sent to the client via mail
As you notice, there was no action plan to solve the problem. And in that case, you’re paying a lot of money for information that isn’t actionable.
Our Approach to Mold Testing and Inspections in Tacoma
The best and only way to solve a mold problem is to find the source of the excess moisture. Quality mold testing also requires tracking down leaky pipes, inspecting water-damaged areas, or deducing if the issue is due to poor ventilation. In any case, addressing the excess humidity will mean taking care of the mold problem once and for all.
At Environix, we implement a specialized mold testing protocol that includes:
- Identify the presence of excess mold
- Determine how severe the problem is
- Find the source of the moisture
- Remove the mold and clean the necessary items
- Deploy a permanent moisture solution to prevent future growth
Contact Environix Today
You can get in touch with our team of mold testing and inspection professionals by giving us a call or filling out our online contact form.
Case Study: Full House Mold Inspection in Tacoma
PROJECT SUMMARY
REASON FOR INSPECTION:
- Client has been suffering from bloody noses and has seen mold growth on walls and windows. Areas of prior water damage have happened in the kitchen and bathroom ceilings.
CAUSE OF MOLD:
- Condensation caused by high humidity and lack of ventilation. Water intrusion from failed caulking at the bath tub.
LABORATORY RESULTS
ANALYSIS OF YOUR RESULTS:
- Extreme Amplification: Mold spores were detected at levels many times greater than the threshold, indicating a site of high mold amplification and growth. Please refer to the attached report for more detailed information.
The most likely contributor of the elevated mold spores is:
- Elevated humidity.
- Recent water intrusion from failed shower caulking.
Recommendations:
- Due to the elevated levels of mold spores, the operation of a commercial HEPA air scrubber is highly recommended. This will rapidly lower the indoor mold spore levels. Please contact Environix for pricing.
JOBSITE PHOTOS
Kitchen sink cabinet with elevated moisture, no leak found
Elevated humidity
Light condensation causing mold growth on windows
Water damage at tub surround
Elevated moisture in building materials of shared wall with shower
Mold growth on carpet in closet opposite of bath tub
Mold growth on pad and tack strip in closet opposite of bath
Sealant failure at tub surround
RELATIVE HUMIDITY & TEMPERATURE READINGS:
CO2 READINGS:
VENTILATION:
OBSERVATIONS:
- Relative humidity levels are slightly elevated. Generally, indoor RH levels should remain under 55% or under 50% in homes with poorly insulated exterior walls.
- CO2 levels are elevated. While not a direct health problem, elevated CO2 levels are an indication of stale indoor air and poor ventilation. This can lead to a buildup of pollutants and humidity, which can cause mold growth. Following the ventilation recommendations listed below will lower the CO2 levels in the home.
- Home suffers from insufficient ventilation. This leads to a buildup of indoor pollutants and increases the relative humidity, creating conditions conducive to mold growth and dust mites.
LOCATION: Living Room
OBSERVATIONS:
- The windows have past evidence of light condensation and light mold problems.
- The room is equipped with carpeting in dirty condition. Carpeting in room is old and a likely repository of mold spores. Carpeting can hold mold spores for long periods of time, long after the original source of the mold growth has been removed.
- During the inspection, the carpet was pulled back to check the condition of the tack strip, carpet pad, and subfloor. No issues were discovered under the carpet.
Recommendations:
- See ventilation section above for recommendations to eliminate condensation.
- Consider having the carpets cleaned using a hot water extraction method. Ensure the carpets are able to dry very quickly. Environix can provide air movers or dehumidifiers to assist in fast carpet drying. Please contact your inspector for pricing.
LOCATION: Bedroom
OBSERVATIONS:
- The room is equipped with carpeting in dirty condition. Carpeting in room is old and a likely repository of mold spores. Carpeting can hold mold spores for long periods of time, long after the original source of the mold growth has been removed.
- Portable filters are in use in this room.
- The windows have current evidence of light condensation and moderate mold problems. The windows are double paned and metal framed.
- During the inspection, the carpet in the closet was pulled back to check the condition of the tack strip, carpet pad, and subfloor. Evidence of water damage is present in the carpet pad, tack strip, and carpeting.
- Water damage noted in the drywall within the closet.
- Elevated moisture was detected in the wall, floor, carpet, carpet pad, and tack strip in the closet.
- Mold growth is present under the carpet in the closet. Heavy mold is present on the tack strip, padding, and carpet backing. The moisture source for this mold growth appears to be coming from the shower on the opposite side of the wall.
Recommendations:
- Keep contents and furniture a minimum of 2-3 inches away from exterior walls to help prevent mold growth on these surfaces.
- Moldy materials such as tack strip and carpet should be removed and disposed.
LOCATION: Bathroom
OBSERVATIONS:
- Visible condensation-based mold growth noted on the bathroom wall and floor.
CEILING:
- Evidence of a prior water leak was noted on the bathroom ceiling. This is the result of a leak from a unit above this one.
- The client notes the ceiling has been open for approximately two months.
SHOWER:
- Several areas of failed caulking in shower. This can lead to water infiltration and mold growth/wood rot in the wallboard and framing behind the shower surround.
- Failed caulking is allowing water intrusion behind the shower surround and affecting the building materials in the bedroom closet.
General Recommendations:
- When remodeling the bathroom, take appropriate steps to contain dust and potential mold spores. If significant mold growth is found, contact Environix.
- Re-caulk the shower surround.