Question: Is Aspergillus Penicillium spore count in the basement high? We have this smell in our house for some time. We have also arranged for the gas company to come to see if there is gas leak. Last week, we had an air sample taken from our house. The Aspergillus Penicillium reading from outside was 267 spores/m3 and the reading from the basement was 26,667 spores/m3. I do not know if these readings indicate any significance. Do you have any suggestions for the cause and solutions? Thank you … [Read more...]
Mold In Bathrooms
September 21, 2011 by
Growth of mold in bathrooms is very common if there is no proper ventilation. Mold in bathrooms could be due to poor ventilation and high humidity in the bathroom. The mold could be found growing on the walls and also the bathroom ceiling. Severe growth of mold in bathrooms can also occur in drains which emit odors. Drains are a hot spot for fungal growth in bathrooms. The extent of fungal contamination in bathrooms is dependent on the amount of moisture present. Predominant types of … [Read more...]
How To Get Rid Of Mold Growth
September 17, 2011 by
Many people and even institutions would be happy if they could find a way of getting rid of mold. Unfortunately it's almost impossible to get rid of mold completely. However, if we understand the conditions that support mold growth, we could then try to manipulate those conditions so as to control mold growth. Mold growth has the following requirements: 1. Presence of spores or mold fragments that are capable germinating (viable) and developing into new mold growth. 2. Moisture. Like … [Read more...]
Air Quality Mold Testing Kits
September 16, 2011 by
Air quality testing should be conducted by a qualified professional. However, there are basic tests that a homeowner or a property manager can perform by themselves and save money. Air quality testing for mold does not require any special training. Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories has been renting air quality testing equipment to homeowners, property managers or professionals who are just starting their businesses. To perform your own air quality testing for mold it's important to … [Read more...]
Crawlspace Mold Growth
September 15, 2010 by
Question: I have an 8 year old home in BC's Gulf Islands. On a recent trip into my crawlspace noticed some mold growth or fungus on the underside of the vapor barrier that is applied over the earth in the crawlspace. There is no sign of any mold growth elsewhere. The crawlspace has four vents that have been opened all summer, and I see no moisture in the crawlspace except some water droplets probably condensation under the vapor barrier. The concrete walls of the foundation are insulated and the … [Read more...]
Mold In The Crawlspace: Is It The Source of Strong Mold Smell?
September 14, 2010 by
Question: Could we be having mold in the crawlspace? I just moved into my apartment in June and I am surrounded by trees and I have a crawlspace. Well, I smell a strong mold smell in my Kitchen, bath and bedroom and they are along the same wall. I suspect the smell could be due to mold in the crawlspace. I have had several people tell me that they smell mold and I need to get it checked. My elderly mother lives with me and if I have a problem then I want to know how to deal with it. I am a … [Read more...]
Mold Growth On Garments
December 14, 2009 by
Question: What can we do to rid our factories of mold or to prevent mold from forming? Some of our garments are coming in from Bangladesh with visible mold that seems to be forming/growing while in-transit? Answer: The best way to control mold growth on garments is to keep the garments dry. You may have to ask your suppliers in Bangladesh to use packaging that would minimize chances of the garments becoming damp during transit. Also ensure that your storage conditions are not … [Read more...]
Mold and tenant’s rights
May 11, 2009 by
Question: What rights do I have as a renter when mold is present in my apartment? Who pays for the cost of the appraisal? Answer: This is more of a legal question which we may not adequately answer. However, if the mold growth is due to the landlords neglect, then you have the right to ask them to clean it up and if they don't you may be able to seek legal help. However, if mold growth is due to the occupants' lifestyles or activities that generate too much moisture such as steam being … [Read more...]
Black mold on walls
May 7, 2009 by
Question: I had a lot of black mold or at least I thought that's what it was so I took a blow torch and burned it off. It hasn't come back but now I found a growth of some kind almost like a very fine hair, some of which is about an inch long and a gray color. I put the torch to it as well but this growth turned into a liquid and some would drop on the floor and some would stay on the walls and looked like a clear lacquer. I torched it about 4 days ago and now it has dried completely and the … [Read more...]
