“World's Most Complete Neighborpedia”
Sponsor a Community — What is Localism? | Register or Sign In
Explore:   What's happening in your neck of the woods?
Home John Puplava ABC Home Inspections,L.L.C.

John Puplava ABC Home Inspections,L.L.C.

Blog_tag

What types of Test for Mold. 3 of 3

11-03-10
John Puplava ABC Home Inspections,L.L.C.

Why TEST FOR MOLD?

* Fulfill goals of inspection: assess fungal ecology

* Confirm that Substance is mold

* Identify source (s) of mold

* Set baseline for remediation

* Evidence for insurance claims

* Evidence for litigation

What types of test for Mold.

1) Non-Viable Test / Spore Traps Advantages

* Economical * Does not dry up

* Easy to Use * stored virtually anywhere

* no refrigerated * Compact and easy to carry

* No incubation time

* turn around time for laboratory analysis (24 to 48 hours)

2) Viable Test

* Specimen collected and cultured in suitable growth medium called "AGAR".
* Agar contained in Petri Dishes
* Incubate for 7 days at 25 Celius
3) Sterile Swab
* Never use the swab technique with a dry tip as this will disturb the mold spores, and not obtain a representation of microorganisms on the surface being tested.
* Moisten the tip of the swab first ( note: use purified or steam distilled water, do not use tap water due presence of the chlorine.
* The pictured sterile swabs are preferable as they can be moistened with the transport media.
4) Life Tapes ( direct sample)
* The lift tape technique of applying a piece of clear tape to an infected surface and carefully removing the tape, then transferring to a glass slide is a direct microscopic examination.
* The direct microscope examination is non-viable sample for the spore presence of fungi observed on the surface of a material.
So the bottom line is you should hire a Certified Mold Inspector to do these task.
Thank you for your time,
ABC Home Inspections, L.L.C.
Call us Today to Schedule your Home Inspection or Mold Inspection
Maricopa County 602-471-7384
Yavapai County 928-499-5366
or visit the website

13 Comments
Blog_tag

Do know the Four type's of Mold 2 of 3 parts

11-01-10
John Puplava ABC Home Inspections,L.L.C.

What is Kingdom of Fungi?

In 1969 the kingdom of fungi added to other Four kingdom of MONERA (bacteria), PROTISTA (amoeba), PLANTAE (plants), and ANIMALIA (animals).

The kingdom of fungi is divided into four phyla (or major groups).

The four PHYLA of fungi

* PHYLUM ZYGOMYCETES

example: RHIZOPUS and MUCOR

* PHYLUM BASIDIOMYCETE'S

example: TRUE MUSHROOM and CUPINUS

* IMPORTANT one is PHYLUM ASCOMYCETE'S

example: CHAETOMIUM and STACKYBOTRYS

* ANOTHER one is PHYLUM MITOSPORICS

example: PENICILLIAN and ASPERGILLUS

Fungi are classified into GENUS and SPECIES.In short,The genus is the broad category and the species is a type of fungi with that category.

EXAMPLES:

GENUS SPECIES

Aspergillus Flavis

Aspergillus Niger

Stachybotrys Chartarum

Cladosporium Herbbarum

Alternaria Alternata

Just remember this All molds are fungi, not all fungi are molds.

example: mushrooms are fungi

mushrooms are not mold

All molds are allergenic.

Several hundred molds are toxigenic.

Remember this: A toxiginic molds is a mold which is capable of producing Toxins.

Being toxiginic does not mean that the mold is producing toxins at the present time.Either a toxiginic mold is producing toxins is dependent on multiple factors, all of which are not well understand.

Remember this to

The time in the molds life cycle.

The mold food source.

The external conditions such as temperature, humidity, and amount of available water.

What is the Criteria for MOLD GROWTH

* Moisture Source( Mold will grow 24 to 48 hours after a water event )

* Lack of Ventilation ( keeps the substrate fromdrying out )

* Absence of Ultraviolet light

* Organic Substrate (anything with carbon is a potential food source )

What is MVO and VOC

* MVO---MICROBIAL VOLATILE ODER

MVO---are chemical released into the air through the active germination of molds.

Common MVO

* ALdehydes

* Ketones

* Ethanol Alcohol (cause of most common MVO )

* VOC ---VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

VOC--At ambient room temperature the chemical vaporizes and reacts photo chemically with the oxides of nitrogen from the air to form low level ozone.

COMMON VOC

* Formaldelhyde

* Benzene

* Methylene Chloride

* Perchloroethylene

This why mold is posed a danger to your health. As a Realtor its very important to know this stuff.

In final part I will I will go over why you should have test done.

Thank you for your time..

John with ABC Home Inspections, L.L.C.

Call and Schedule your Home Inspection or MoldInspection

Maricopa County : 602-471-7384

or

Yavapai County 928-499-5366

or

Visist my website www.abchomeinspectionsaz.com

0 Comments
Blog_tag

Do know the Four type's of Mold 1 0f 3 parts

10-25-10
John Puplava ABC Home Inspections,L.L.C.

Mold - Mold belongs to the Kingdom of Fungi

No Water = No Mold

What are common Indoor Biological Contaminantss

1) Pollen 2) Insect Parts

3) Bacteria 4) Insect Fecaal Matter

5) Viruses 6) Mold Spores

7) VOC's which is Volatile Organic Compounds

What is the criteria for mold growth

1) Moisture source...Mold will grow 24 to 48 hours after a water event

2) Lack of ventilation...Keep the subsrate from drying up

3) Absence of Ultraviolet light

4) Organic substrate...Anything with carbon is a potential food sources

The Four Common Fungi

1) Hydrophilic--Mold is the infamous (Stachybotry) the (black mold) The hydrophilic molds Stachybotry and Fusarium are two of the mold's we call toxigenic

2) Second group of Mold is called Mesophilic fungi...These two type's do not need as much moisture

* They tend to grow in average condition, where the home has had little water damage.

* This type of environment in which the relative humidity is in the 30% to 50% range are where you will find these kind of fungi.

*Cladosporium and Alternaria are two very common mesopholic mold which are often encountered both indoor and out.

3) The third group is called the Xerotolerant fungi...This group can grow in drier conditions.Certian species of Aspergillus and penicillium fall this category.

4)Finally last group is called the Xerophilic fungi... These molds are fairly rare and will only grow in a very dry environment.This type mold may grow in the desert. But they still need moisture, just not much.

Recap of Common Fungi

1) Hydrophilic --- Stachybotry, Fusarium, Rhizopus

2) Mesophilic --- Alternaria,Cladosporium, Aspergillus versicolor

3) Xerotolerant --- Aspergillus glaucus, Penicillium

4) Xerophilic --- Aspergillus restrictus

As a Certified Mold Inspector it is very important you know these type's of fungi.

Call ABC Home Inspections

To Schedule Your Home Inspection or Mold Inspection

Maricopa County 602-471-7384

Yavapai County 928-499-5366

or Visit website

www:abchomeinspectionsaz.com

8 Comments
Blog_tag

What does ABC Home Inspections have to offer

10-23-10
John Puplava ABC Home Inspections,L.L.C.

What does ABC Home Inspections have to offer for Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, Sedona, Cottonwood, Camp Verde area's

1) Free Termite inspection with a home inspection

2) 90 day Termite Warranty

3) 90 day Home Warranty

4) ReCall Chek

5) Also ABC Home Inspections is a Certified Mold Inspector

Call us Today to schedule your Home Inspection

Yavapai County 928-499-5366

or

Visit my Website

wwww:abchomeinspectionsaz.com

4 Comments
Blog_tag

What does ABC Home Inspections have to offer

10-14-10
John Puplava ABC Home Inspections,L.L.C.

1) ABC Home Inspections has done over 1000 home inspections in Maricopa County and Yavapai County and surrounding areas.

2) A Termite Inspection is included in the Home Inspection.

3) Free Limited 90 Day Home Warranty

4) Free ReCall Chek

5) ABC Home Inspections Certified Mold Inspector

6) Exclusive 200% Satisfaction Guarantee

7) Free Home Consultation for Life

Call US TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR HOME INSPECTION

Maricopa County 602-471-7384

Yavapai County 928-499-5366

OR VISIT WEBSITE

www:abchomeinspectionsaz.com

8 Comments