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Plumbline Construction

There is a four letter word that you never want to hear in your home – MOLD! There are three things that mold needs to grow; warmth, food and moisture. It is typical to find mold growth in a shower or HVAC vents but in this case a common bleach based cleaner will do the trick. If mold growth occurs on a porous surface, such as drywall or wood framing, chances are you will need to call a professional to do the cleanup. First it is important to understand the difference between mold mitigation and mold remediation. Mold mitigation is to reduce the further damage of the mold (or the cause). Mold remediation is the correction of the apparent defect (source of moisture) and treatment. We would like to stress that not all mold is dangerous and that you should always use a third party to do any testing. Plumbline utilizes a 3rd party lab to test our samples to metrics on the effectiveness of our treatments. We provide a copy of all lab tests to our clients before further steps are taken.

How to prevent mold:

“According to the EPA, residential mold may be prevented and controlled in the following ways.

  • • Cleaning and repairing roof gutters, to prevent moisture seepage into the home.
  • • Keeping air-conditioning drip pans clean and drainage lines clear.
  • • Monitoring indoor humidity.
  • • Drying areas of moisture or condensation and removing their sources.
  • • Treating exposed structural wood or wood framing with an EPA-approved fungicidal encapsulation coating after pre-cleaning (particularly homes with a crawl space, unfinished basement or a poorly-ventilated attic).” R1

  • Once mold has been detected:

    There are some Do’s and Don’ts if mold is found in the home.
    First, stay out of the infected area until it is determined what type of mold exists. Mold can begin to grow within 24 hours so it is very important that mold mitigation is begins as soon as possible as well as a proper evaluation by a trusted lab.
    The next step is to try to contain or isolate the problem. You shouldn’t try to dry the mold yourself or blow air across the infected surface. Turning off fans and HVAC ventilation will prevent the spread the airborne spores to unaffected areas. You should not try to treat or clean the mold from porous surfaces with household cleaner as this may taint a test sample. Removing and cleaning non-porous items is suggested.
    The prep for removal of contaminated building materials, demolition, clean up and post clean up should be done by a professional.

    There are several reasons in which a home should be inspected:

  • • If there has been recent water damage due to a broken / leaky pipe, a leaky roof, a basement flood, if a home has been vacant for a period of time or after a disaster such as a fire or hurricane.
  • • Visible growth or report of a musky odor. If no visible growth is detected but there is a strange odor it may signify that there is hidden growth that may be occurring behind ceiling tiles or wallpaper, in carpet padding or on the backside of drywall.
  • • Health problems with symptoms mimicking allergies and respiratory problems.
  • • Recent or potential real estate transaction. Properties should be inspected to prevent unforeseen future repair costs.

  • Plumbline Construction can provide many services to you such as and beginning with referring a qualified lab to do sampling. We can also make the necessary mitigation repairs to prevent further destruction or if major damage has occurred we can give you a fair estimate to recovery your property. We can be reached by phone at 804-218-5820.

    FAQ's about Basements

  • Should I spray something to get rid of the musty smell in my basement?
    Spraying may provide temporary relief, but a long term solution such as installing a dehumidifier is suggested.

  • Wouldn't opening basement doors and windows to get rid of the smell?
    Doing so may bring in damper or warmer air that would cause more condensation to form.

  • What other actions can I take to eliminate the odor?
    Remove all organic materials such as cardboard boxes, paper, clothing, and wood, which are food sources for mold.