Too much of a Good Thing? Humidity

How much moisture in a home is “normal”?

The answer is different in every home. Moisture is generated by multiple factors such as:
•Home many people live in the home?
•How much cooking, like boiling pots and baking, is being done?
•How “tight” is the home? Outdoor to indoor air exchanges.
•Is the home a year old or 60 years old or somewhere in between?

Moisture levels can be expressed and measured in terms of humidity. Some moisture is a good thing. Too dry and the occupants will notice abnormally dry skin and irritated nose or throats. Too much dampness and the home will likely feel stuffy and or warm even though the thermostat is set to a nice cool temperature. Most people feel comfortable with a humidity level between 40 and 45%.

Too much humidity can set a home up for mold and bacteria growths. Humidity levels in excess of 50% and ranging upwards for even a day or two is a great environment for microbial growths that can make a home unhealthy.

Ever heard of the term relative humidity? ­Relative humidity is the ratio of the current absolute humidity to the highest possible absolute humidity. This level depends on the air temperature when you measure it. A reading of 100 percent relative humidity means that the air is totally saturated with water vapor and cannot hold any more, creatin­g the possibility of rain. As Home and Mold Inspectors we have seen it “raining” inside of homes and in crawl space and basement foundations.

­People are very sensitive to humidity. Our skin relies on the air to get rid of moisture. Sweating is our body’s attempt to keep cool and maintain its current temperature. If the air is at 100-percent relative humidity, sweat will not evaporate into the air. As a result, we feel much hotter than the actual temperature when the relative humidity is high. If the relative humidity is low, we can feel much cooler than the actual temperature because our sweat evaporates easily, cooling ­us off. Too much humidity at a higher temperature (like when we heat our homes) can actually make our bodies feel much warmer. Too much humidity at a warm temperature (like when we are cooling our homes) can make us feel colder than the thermostat would lead us to believe. See the chart below to see how temperature is affected by humidity.

How can a homeowner measure Humidity?

Many “Big Box” stores like Home Depot and Lowes sell Humidistats that you can hang on the wall of your home to allow you to monitor the humidity levels in your home. Buy one. Remember your target comfort zone will be 40 to 45 % Relative Humidity.

How can you control Humidity?

Simple things you can incorporate into your life style and your families’ use of the home can help.
•Open windows to let dryer exterior air in when temperatures outside are comfortable.
•Run the bath exhaust fans during and for thirty minutes after bathing or showering. No exhaust fan in your bathroom? Crack open the window a bit to allow moist air to exit.
•Run the kitchen powered exhaust vent to draw out excess moisture when cooking or boiling foods in water.
•Install a portable dehumidifier with a humidistat switch to help lower levels and control comfort for family members during periods of high humidity.
•Use a humidifier to raise moisture levels when exterior temperatures dip below freezing for more than a few days. All that cold air sucks the moisture out of the air.

Many times you’re heating and Air Conditioning system will help regulate humidity levels. That’s what “Air Conditioning” really means after all!

Call us or visit our web sites for more information on controlling Mold and Humidity levels in your home. We will be glad to help!

Call us at (865) 385-0170 or visit us at www.vhitn.com

IR Gutter leak into Wall

I KnowNothing About Dental Surgery

I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT DENTAL SURGERY!

My business partner Sean and I inspected a large Dental Surgery Center in Crossville, TN for a client yesterday. We know nothing about Dental Surgery but we know a thing or two about Building Inspections.

The inspection project took our two man team 6.5 hours and was very involved.

The surgeon-partners, our clients, were considering purchasing the twenty five year old building and needed good information on its conditions. Investment costs were north of two million dollars. The group hired us based on their previous experience with our company Volunteer Inspection Services. We had inspected homes for a few of the partners in addition to consultation on other property issues.

We offered them an array of inspection products that no other inspection company can provide.
• Infrared Thermography of exterior walls EFIS Stucco Walls
• Water and Indoor Air Quality Testing (very important in a surgery center)
• Electrical Systems
• Plumbing Systems
• EDPM Flat Roof Inspection (Thermal and Visual Inspections)
• Crawl Space Inspection (4,800 sq. ft.)
• Attic Inspections
• Emergency Generator Systems Testing

We discovered and documented many areas of serious concerns that could drastically impact the “true cost” of the purchase. Repair costs, for the identified significant defects, are estimated to be in the area of $ 200,000 to $225,000. In addition to our major findings we identified a failing water heater (flooding the crawl space!), and improperly grounded x-ray equipment and outlets.

Our inspections protect our clients, build value in their business and homes, protect them from injury and help them negotiate from a strength position with sellers.

Check out our web site for more information: www.volunteerinspectionllc.com

Humidity in your home – Know it and Control It

How much moisture in a home is “normal”?

The answer is different in every home.  Moisture is generated by multiple factors such as:

• Home many people live in the home?
• How much cooking, like boiling pots and baking, is being done?
• How “tight” is the home?  Outdoor to indoor air exchanges.
• Is the home a year old or 60 years old or somewhere in between?

 Moisture levels can be expressed and measured in terms of humidity.  Some moisture is a good thing.  Too dry and the occupants will notice abnormally dry skin and irritated nose or throats.  Too much dampness and the home will likely feel stuffy and or warm even though the thermostat is set to a nice cool temperature.  Most people feel comfortable with a humidity level between 40 and 45%.

 Too much humidity can set a home up for mold and bacteria growths.  Humidity levels in excess of 50% and ranging upwards for even a day or two is a great environment for microbial growths that can make a home unhealthy.

 Ever heard of the term relative humidity?  ­Relative humidity is the ratio of the current absolute humidity to the highest possible absolute humidity.  This level depends on the air temperature when you measure it.  A reading of 100 percent relative humidity means that the air is totally saturated with water vapor and cannot hold any more, creatin­g the possibility of rain.  As Home and Mold Inspectors we have seen it “raining” inside of homes and in crawl space and basement foundations.  

­People are very sensitive to humidity.  Our skin relies on the air to get rid of moisture. Sweating is our body’s attempt to keep cool and maintain its current temperature. If the air is at 100-percent relative humidity, sweat will not evaporate into the air. As a result, we feel much hotter than the actual temperature when the relative humidity is high. If the relative humidity is low, we can feel much cooler than the actual temperature because our sweat evaporates easily, cooling ­us off. Too much humidity at a higher temperature (like when we heat our homes) can actually make our bodies feel much warmer.  Too much humidity at a warm temperature (like when we are cooling our homes) can make us feel colder than the thermostat would lead us to believe.  See the chart below to see how temperature is affected by humidity.

How can a homeowner measure Humidity?

Many “Big Box” stores like Home Depot and Lowes sell Humidistats that you can hang on the wall of your home to allow you to monitor the humidity levels in your home.  Buy one.  Remember your target comfort zone will be 40 to 45 % Relative Humidity.

How can you control Humidity?

Simple things you can incorporate into your life style and your families’ use of the home can help.

• Open windows to let dryer exterior air in when temperatures outside are comfortable.
• Run the bath exhaust fans during and for thirty minutes after bathing or showering.  No exhaust fan in your bathroom?  Crack open the window a bit to allow moist air to exit.
• Run the kitchen powered exhaust vent to draw out excess moisture when cooking or boiling foods in water.
• Install a portable dehumidifier with a humidistat switch to help lower levels and control comfort for family members during periods of high humidity.
• Use a humidifier to raise moisture levels when exterior temperatures dip below freezing for more than a few days.  All that cold air sucks the moisture out of the air. 

Many times you’re heating and Air Conditioning system will help regulate humidity levels.  That’s what “Air Conditioning” really means after all!

Call us or visit our web sites for more information on controlling Mold and Humidity levels in your home.  We will be glad to help!

Call us at (865) 385-0170 or visit us at www.volunteerinspectionllc.com  or www.volunteermold.com

Asbestos the silent killer – Inspections

Most people we know have heard of Asbestos.  Som know that it is a naturally forming mineral that has amazing heat resistance capabilities and has been used for decades.  Still others know that Asbestos is now understood as a cancer causing agent that attacks the lengs of those exposed to its fibers.

You have seent the TV commercials produced by the lawyers trying to find those unfortunate souls whos lives this mineral has taken.  An ad we recently saw said “This substance (Asbestos) has been banned by the EPA since 1988″.

Not True.

In fact Asbestos is still used in many products.  Much of the worlds production is shipped to third world countries wo put it in products that are then shipped to us in the United States.  Perhaps just as importantly many of our homes and businesses including schools have large quantities of Asbestos products in them.  Typically found in insulation on Heating systems, boilers, ceiling texture and wall panels it still is present in our enviorment every day.

Sean and Bob Byrne recently completed thier studies with Resolution Incorporated, a Tennessee State approved training provider in inspection of toxic substances, in Asbestos Inspections.  They are now both Asbestos Inspectors Certified in the State of Tennessee. 

Sean is a certified Home inspector and a Mold and Indoor Air Quality Specialist.  Sean is the Chief Inspector for Volunteer Home Inspections a division of Volunteer Inspections, LLC based in Knoxville, TN.

Bob Byrne, General Manager of Volunteer Inspections, LLC, is a certified Home Inspector with advanced certifications in Mold, Indoor Air Quality, Infrared Thermography and is now a Certified Asbestos Inspector and an Asbestos Management Planner.  As a Asbestos Management Planner he is qualified to provide analysis of inspection and lab results and to offer solutions for clients residential and commercial.

Additionally Sean and Bob are Certified and in compliance with the EPA, AHERA and ASHARA requirements for public and private schools nationwide. 

Striving to provide a complete service to our clients compels us to keep thier training current and invest in top of the line equiptment and education.  Have a question about Asbestos?  Need an Inspection of your home, business or childrens school?

Call us at 865 385-0170 and let us know how we can help you.

Volunteer Inspections, LLC  www.volunteerinspectionsllc.com  

Volunteer Mold and Indoor Air Quality www.volunteermold.com

Volunteer Thermography www.tninfrared.com

What have we done to our children? Mold and thier health.

 

Mold and Children

Mold can have disastrous impact on the most vulnerable among us.  Studies are indicating that long term exposure to even moderate levels of mold in doors can have a life time impact on us.

Children are especially prone to the impact of mold and mycotoxin exposure.  When we think about the world of a child where do they spend most of their time exploring the world?  On the floor, right?  Their exposure to dusts, dander, bacteria’s and mold is high in this area.

Children take nearly four times the per minute breaths than the average adult.  Look at the chart below:   (1)

• Newborns: Average 44 breaths per minute
• Infants: 20–40 breaths per minute
• Preschool children: 20–30 breaths per minute
• Older children: 16–25 breaths per minute
• Adults: 12–20 breaths per minute
• Adults during strenuous exercise 35–45 breaths per minute

On the floor they are hyper exposed to chemical compounds in the forms of paint, varnishes, cleaning products, dust mites, pesticides and a multitude of other pollutants that adults would rarely come into a “touch” contact with on a daily basis.

Is the quality of air and surfaces in your home, daycare or schools impacting the health of your child? 

Take this quiz:  If you answer to two or more questions is ample reason to investigate cause and environments where you children live.

Is This Your Child?

• Dark circles under the eyes.
• Frequent nose bleeds?
• Consistent or cyclical (twice a month to constant) “allergic” type reactions.
• Do they get well when they are away from home for a few hours?
• Regularly return home from school or day care sick or complaining of a head ache?
• Diagnosis as slow learner or behavioral problem.
• Strong craving for certain scents odors?

Watch this Video  (http://www.normi.org/ce/DVD-Files/mold-effects1.html )

 

Contact Us for a free consultation and to schedule an inspection of your concerns.

1. Lauralee Sherwood, Fundamentals of Physiology: A Human Perspective, Thomson Brooks/Cole, 2006, ISBN 0534466974, p. 380 [1]

How we kill mold…. A white paper.

How I Kill Mold and Bio Contaminates                                       by Bob Byrne

Oxidative Mold Remediation

Introduction and Benefits

Not all mold remediation methods, solutions and services are the same.  Effectiveness, safety, costs and environmental impacts differ widely from one to another.

Most remediation methods treat mold as a physical substance versus a biologic contaminate, and they can have a negative environmental impact.

Oxidative Remediation, however, is an environmentally safe process designed specifically to address the unique challenges associated with bio-contamination.

Traditional, and the most commonly used, mold remediation methods developed during the 1970′s were designed to contain and remove inert hazardous materials like asbestos.  In an attempt to remove bio-contamination, these methods were modified to address the removal of mold contamination.  However they are not effective in dealing with the unique challenges associated with bio-contaminate removal and control.

The most common process(s) employs destructive/abrasive removal of surface contamination, air scrubbing to remove airborne contaminates created during abrasive removal, HEPA vacuuming to remove surface contamination remaining after abrasive removal, and the use of powerful antimicrobial and or pesticides intended to kill surviving bio-growth.  While this protocol removes the visible bulk contamination, embedded spores that survive the process are still able germinate once the environment becomes favorable to mold growth.

New remediation protocols based upon Oxidative Remediation are specifically designed to solve the unique challenges associated with bio-contamination.  These protocols address both fungal viability and fungal allergenicity.  Fungal viability is the potential for fungal growth when minimal growing conditions are met.  Because mold spores can remain in stasis (dormant) for decades, unless they are destroyed, they remain viable.  Fungal Allergenicity is the potential to cause an immune response or allergic reaction when exposed to the proteins common to fungi.

An important fact is, all mold (dead or alive) are classified as irritants, capable of creating an allergic reaction in those who are susceptible to its exposure.

Traditional Methods of Mold Remediation Do Not Work!

Traditional remediation methods do not resolve the fungal viability issue because spores can easily survive the process. Sanding, vacuuming, and the use of most antimicrobials or  pesticides simply have no effect on fungal allergenicity.  To be effective, bio-remediation protocols must address growing and dormant mold as well as the fungal proteins that cause irritation and allergenic responses.

Oxidative remediation protocols were developed from research that addressed the threat of bio-terrorism during the 1990′s. These protocols employ a highly effective chemical reaction that creates reactive super-hydroxyl radicals.  These hydroxyl radicals attack and decompose cellular proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids associated with all bio-contamination, and upon contact, complex cellular proteins and other organic compounds are reduced to their basic chemical form.  Once these complex proteins are digested, they are no longer a threat to our immune system.  Simply stated, oxidative remediation converts proteins from a hyper-allergenic to a hypo-allergenic state.

Oxidative remediation is not only more effective against bio-contamination than traditional methods, but is also environmentally safe because the chemical byproducts generated during oxidation quickly break down into elemental oxygen and water.  The process does not used chlorine, pesticides, poisons, heavy metals, or other environmentally dangerous chemicals, and there are no dangerous residues remaining after remediation.  Because the treatment is applied airborne it can penetrate deeply into porous surfaces, cracks, crevices and air passages typically traveling where other methods cannot reach.  The end result is the most effective level of biologic decontamination.

We use state of the art technology that was developed by NASA and that has been in use commercially for more than 25 years.  You will find it employed in surgical suites, lab clean rooms and in any location that demands proper performance.

Research by Kansas State and Duke University have proven the value of this technology.

What about Christmas can make you sick?

It’s that time of year again.

Maybe you have already dragged the boxes of decorations out of the basement or attic in anticipation of Advent and Thanksgiving.

It’s also likely that, as you pulled out those boxes stored for 11 months or so, you started sneezing and sniffling.  For folks with allergies digging out the ornaments can be a detour on the road to holiday cheer.  Here are some tips and some information on how to take better care of your self as you start to spread the holiday cheer.

1. Take the boxes outside first and clean and or dust off decorations.

2. Throw away the cardboard boxes you are storing things in.  Cardboard absorbs moisture like a sponge and mold   grows like crazy on it. 

3. If you have an artificial tree hose it off.  For those of you in the great white north take it in the shower and wash it down to get rid of all the dust and dust mites.

3. Wear and N-95 dust mask to keep from breathing the nastys.  I have tested my own trees and decorations and can tell you that decorations and artificial trees are full of dust and dust mites in addition to mold.

4. Clean off the ornaments.  Lets face it.  You have been using the same ones for years and short of my grandma who cleans ornaments.  Use soap and water when possible or dust throughly….. outside before you bring them in.

5.  Consider not putting a real live, actually real dead, Christmas tree in your house this year.  Many trees were cut weeks before the arrive at the store and have been stored stacked and packed in a moist area.  They carry with them a few years of mold and contaminants (sometimes bugs).  Some folks will set the live tree outside the front entrance of their homes to enjoy the look and smell as they come and go each day.  See more on trees and mold below.

A Recent Study by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology…..

At a recent meeting in Dallas a study was released showing research on how a real Christmas tree impacts indoor air quality in our homes.  “Mold counts in indoor air rose five times the normal level within two weeks of setting up the trees indoors.”  “Christmas trees are another possible source of mold exposure during the holiday season”, said  immunologist Dr. Phillip Hemmers.  “Mold allergies peak in the fall, and we see anothe peak with a lot of mold sensitive patients during the holiday season.”  The findings of the study tie in to the presence of the tree.

Got a question about Mold or Indoor Air Quality?  Visit our Web site at www.volunteermold.com

Merry Christmas!

Bob Byrne  CHI,IAQI

Volunteer Mold and Indoor Air Quality

Whats a Mycotoxin? Why should I care?

When you hear the term, “Toxic Mold”, what do you think?

Most folks think of the “Black Mold” as toxic. The full truth is that the term Toxic Mold is misleading.   The truth is certian types of mold produce matabolites that produce toxins.

The Term “Mycotoxin” is a bi-product of mold growth.    Mycotoxins in high concentrations can make people very sick.

Many of my clients are unaware that they are breathing mold spores and mycotoxins until they are very sick.

Some people have minor allergic reactions to moderate levels of mold.   Often times when they leave the contaminated area they recover quiclky.   I can’t count the number of times I have heard, “when he goes off to school he gets better”.   Separation from a mold infested enviorment is often the ticket to returned health.  Supriseingly most folks don’t make the connection.

On the other hand, those who are exposed to the more dangerous Mycotoxin producing molds such as Stachybotrys or Chaetomium, often suffer a host of illenesss. Cronic Bronchitis, Learing Disabilities Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis and Chemical Sensitivities among them.

Huge national health crisis.

While thousands of Americans fall tragically Ill from Mycotoxins,  our goverment and health services, have failed to establish guidelines that specify what is a “healthy” level and what is not!

I tell my clients that first we access the home and the family in a thirty minute interview, then we inspect the home top to bottom for potential contributing factors that foster growth, we collect samples and have the lab test for toxicity and types of growth, then and only then we prescribe treatment.

Many times our clients take the lab results from samples collected to thier doctors for comparrison and further assesment.

We have had good results improving the health of the home enviorment. Health of the individual or family members is up to thier physician.  helping people improve the health of thier home and then seing them enjoy better health is amazing.  Our clients are or greatest sales force throught thier advicocy.

Call us for more information anytime.

Bob Byrne, CHI, IAQI
Volunteer Mold and Indoor Air Quality Services
(865) 385-0170
www.volunteermold.com

A silent killer within your walls?

Drip, Drip, Drip…

I recently purchased a fourteen year old home to “flip” in the Knoxville area.

Being a professional in the building and home inspection field for more than a decade you would think I knew precisely what I was getting into.

Well not exactly.

The home was purchased from an estate. It seems that an elderly gentleman lived there for several years prior to passing away from unknown causes. The family believes that he was found within in a few hours from the time he passed away in front of the TV late one night. Rest in peace.

When I first entered the home I noted a tell tale musty odor. Not a heavy smell just a noticeable odor.

Ok I thought…….We have some mold in here. In a few hours after performing a professional home inspection I had a good list of items. Most notably were three areas of apparent water penetration as evidenced by “stains along the perimeter of the ceiling”. No wall stains. It had vinyl wallpaper throughout.
Additionally I noted a “soft spot” on the floor around the Master Bath commode. Possibly a leaking gasket… Maybe or maybe not but easily repairable.

After taking possession of the home my son and I began to remove the 14 year old carpet in the living room and noted hidden floor damage directly below the stained ceiling above. The damaged area was roughly a 12 by 4 inch area of sub floor. This floor damage would not have been identified without removing the carpet. The damaged flooring and presence of vinyl covered wall board led me to remove the section of the wall directly between the stained ceiling and soft floor area.

Yep you guessed it.

Saturated insulation and black slimy mold galore. We quickly suited up in our professional protective equipment including rubber gloves and full face respirator and removed all of the contaminated material from within the wall. A day later we had the wall reinsulated and finishes completed. That was easy.

Now on to that soft floor in the Master Bath commode area. First commode removed. The I started to pull up the vinyl flooring. Wow mold galore. I immediately left the home and put on my protective gear and proceeded to remove the vinyl floor covering in the small commode room. Roughly a 3 X 6 foot area. Twenty (20%) percent of the sub floor had collapsed and was occupied by a large active, and somewhat pissed off, colony of ants.

Quick hand me the Raid.

The ants quickly succumbed to the spray of death. What remained now was a mass of mushy once a 5/8 thick sheet of structure board and soaking wet insulation. Oddly, the area nearest the flange around the commode was in fair shape. So where was the water coming from that had caused all of this?

I quickly began removing wall board and there it was a large thriving community of pissed off ant and a mold growth that even I was stunned to see. The wall insulation had been partially consumed and left a series of intricate nests and tunnels in its wake. The 2×4 wall studs in three foot wide area were consumed up to six inches from what used to be the sub floor. The sill plate, the 2X4 that lays horizontally on the subfloor, was completely consumed over an approximately three foot length.

I filled a garbage bag with the arm load of ruins and broke out my flash light. What caused all of this?
It quickly became apparent that the leak was on the exterior wall where some ten years ago the resident added an exterior wall outlet.

Going to the outside of the home I discovered a exterior outlet cover installed upside down and that the cover was never sealed to the exterior of the building. As a result every time it rained a few drips would get into the wall and slowly the accumulation of decomposition led to the ensuing chaos and destruction.
Now with all of the nasty stuff on the way to the dump and sanitization equipment installed I am waiting for the surrounding materials to dry out for final repairs and replacement.

See the following pages for photos: (Unless you’re squeamish!)

Photo of the first removed wall section.

Interior of wall with insulation removed. Note 2X4
Sections (Gone).

Is this what really killed the homeowner? We may never know.