Indoor Air Quality

During an IAQ investigation we came upon a closet that was located in a room adjacent to a bathroom. The closet is situated at the plumbing side of the bathtub. The entire closet and its contents were covered in mold. There was a water leak that the owners were not aware of. When we arrived at the home we could definitely smell the distinct musty odor. The odor was the mycotoxins that were being released from the mold.

A homeowner called us because there was an odor in the living room. It was more prominent when they sat on the sofa but they were not able to pinpoint the source. With the use of a moisture meter we were able to detect moisture intrusion on an outside wall. Water was leaking into the vinyl siding due to faulty installation of the siding. There was extensive mold growth on the paperbacked vapor barrier and on the plywood.

Homeowners did not realize that water was leaking from bathroom fixture. Ceramic tile installed on the floor had some minor discoloration on the grout. Water had leaked into wall and ran down to plywood subfloor. Floor was saturated. Visible mold growth is evident.

Wallpaper covering installed on an exterior wall is a big mistake in mixed-humid climates (Virginia). As seen in this photograph, mold growth is obvious. Wallpaper acts as a moisture barrier. Natural infiltration of outside air condenses on the back side of the wall paper providing a great medium for the growth of mold. Mold needs moisture, food (cellulose) and the right temperature to grow.

Improperly sized heating and air conditioning equipment or improperly installed or lack of insulation on the ductwork can lead to mold growth throughout the home as seen in this photograph of a supply air diffuser.