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What causes mold in a house? Does a company have to be licensed to perform mold remediation? I found mold growing in my house, how do I test the mold?
What causes mold in a house?
Answer:
Mold growth requires 1) Spores; 2) Food source; 3) Moisture; 4) Temperature – 40 F. to 100 F. A lot of mold issues evolve around roof ventilation, crawl space ventilation, water events like broken pipes or sewer backups and high humidity conditions.
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Does a company have to be licensed to perform mold remediation?
Currently there is no legislation that requires a company to be licensed to perform mold remediation. It would be prudent to check out the company/individual for certifications and training within the industry. Organizations such as Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) offer training, testing and certification in mold remediation. Check references and understand the techniques used for remediation.
I found mold growing in my house, how do I test the mold?
Generally, it is not necessary to identify the species of mold growing in a residence. Current evidence indicates that allergies are the type of diseases most often associated with molds. Since the susceptibility of individuals can vary greatly either because of the amount of mold or type of mold, sampling and culturing are not reliable in determining the health risk. If you are susceptible to mold and mold is seen or smelled, there is a potential health risk; therefore, no matter what type of mold is present, you should arrange for it’s removal.