Capehart Home Inspection
Welcome to Capehart Home Inspections - We specialize in Home and Mold Inspections
  • Do you have Allergies?
  • Do you have Chronic Illnesses?
  • Do you have Dizzy Spells, Headaches, Nose Bleeds, Inner Ear Problems, or Bronchitis?
Maybe you have been misdiagnosed. There is a possibility you have mold poisoning
 
There are 3 kinds of mold:
Allergenic
Are normal not dangerous Can cause allergic or asthmatic reactions/symptoms likely to effect those already allergic or asthmatic Significant portions of asthmatics (10-32%) are sensitive to fungi, including those most often encountered in housing: Penecillium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Alterneria
Pathogenic
Can cause serious health effects in persons with suppressed immune systems or those taking chemotherapy. Aspergillus
Toxic
Mycotoxins in mold can cause serious health effects. Most recognized is Ð Stachybotrys 15 species of it worldwide, but is most common in western US Thrives where relative humidity is 55 % or higher or where water saturated materials exsist
Exposure: Inhaling Digesting Skin Contact Mold: Causes structural deterioration. Can render a property inhabitable Result of: water intrusion high levels of humidity Conditions Conductive toÉ.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission and American Lung Association estimates that 30 to 50% of all structures have damp conditions favorable to amplification of biological pollutants. The Scope
There are 94.7 million households or units in the US.
  • 61 million are owner occupied
  • 33 million are renter occupied
  • 59 million are single structures
So...
By the Preceding Data Approximately 27.8 million homes have Conductive Conditions (Dampness) Of these, approximately _ or 7 million have a microbial concern. The Fire Water Restoration Industry estimates 5.6 million New Water Restoration jobs annually. Of these, we estimate 1.5 million with microbial concern.

According to the previous data it is estimated that 8.5 million structures have a true microbial concern.

Mold Awareness
What is mold? Mold-n.. A growth of minute fungi of various kinds, esp. those of great groups. Hyphomycetes and Physomycetes, forming on damp or decaying organic matter. Fungi Basics
3 Main Classifications

  • Zygomycota-bread mold
  • Ascomycota- Some bread yeasts, powdery mildews, blue-green, red and brown molds and edible morels and truffles.
  • Basidiomycota-Fungi-mushrooms, toadstools.
Others can cause negative health effects such as asthma or allergic reactions Most mold found indoors comes from outdoors Mold needs 3 things to survive
  • Moisture
  • Food source
  • Surface to grow on
Body plan of Fungus


Mold in bathroom.

 

Mold under sink

Most fungi are filamentous molds consisting of long, branched threadlike strings (or filaments) of cells called: Hyphae Many fungi particularly those that cause disease in humans: dimorphic Mold Metabolism & Growth
Spores contact appropriate substrate then germinate Hyphae emerge from spore and start to grow Hyphae secrete enzymes into substrate degrading its organic compounds for absorption Fungi grow best in dark moist habitats Moisture necessary for growth and can obtain this for atmosphere and food source Dry environment= dormacy= spore production When is it a Problem?
  • When Growing in large concentrations
  • Actively producing spores and gases that become airborne and are inhaled in large numbers
  • Breaks down building materials

What causes mold to Grow?

Moisture -30 to 50% of all properties have water infiltration this year.

  • Building materials (food source)
  • Limited ventilation
  • Poor construction
What causes Mold to Grow at Home? Tight houses- in the 70s we began building our structures tighter.
  • Energy efficiency
  • Poor maintenance and/or unknown leaks
  • Lack or timely repairs and maintenance by the occupant or owner-largely contributes to problems

Health Effects of Mold Exposure

Outdoor air mold concentration effects everyone.
Heavy indoor air concentrations are a concern Health effects attributed to 2 components

  • Mold spores
  • Mold toxins (naturally forming compounds that initiate a toxic response in humans)

Potential producers or indoor toxins: Penicillium & Aspergillus

About 50 million Americans are affected with asthma or allergy sensitivity, many of these are related to mold exposure. " The prevailing medical opinion has been that mold accounted for 6 to 7% of all chronic sinusitus...we found that it was 93%, the exact opposite."- Newsweek, Sept/Oct 2000

Population Most Effected

  • Children
  • Pets
  • Expecting
  • Elderly
  • Immune Suppressed
Health Effects
  • Respiratory failure/asthma
  • Flu symptoms/ headaches
  • Nose bleeds/ bleeding lungs
  • Neurological disorders
"Red Flags" = Conditions Conductive to Microbial Growth
  • Visible signs of mold
  • Mold smell
  • Evidence of water penetration
  • Evidence of conditions that would allow water penetration
  • Construction defects
  • Dirty/ Poorly maintained HVAC
  • Improperly vented appliances
Inspecting for "Red Flag" Conditions
  • Foundation & grade conditions
  • Window systems and flashing conditions
  • Decks/ Patios/ Balconies
  • Roof systems and flashing
  • Any interior plumbing leaks and water stains
  • HVAC system conditions
  • Smell/ Visible mold
Carefully Look at All Areas
  • -behind refrigerator
  • -window frames
  • -under the sinks
  • -door frames
  • -around toilets
  • -ceiling tiles
  • -laundry room
  • -HVAC system
  • -crawl space
  • -condensation pan
  • -attics
  • -vents
  • -baseboards
  • -filter

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Phone: 407-957-2011 - Fax: 40 -957-3721 - Cell: 407-367-9779
Licenses City of Saint Cloud Occupational License #- 04-11980 - Osceola County Occupational License #-3001-0081007
Employer Identification & State License #- 20-1398728