Water Intrusion
Water intrusion can come from internal sources, such as leaking pipes, or external sources, like rainwater. When water intrudes in the building, it causes dampness in walls, ceiling tiles, rugs and other building materials. Dampness and excessive moisture over time will produce mold.
Common sources of water intrusion and moisture that may lead to indoor mold problems include:
- Flooding
- Leaky roof
- Sprinkler spray hitting a building
- Plumbing leaks
- Overflow from sinks or sewers
- Damp basement or crawl space
- Steam from showers or cooking
- Humidifiers
- Wet clothes hung to dry indoors
- A clothes dryer that exhausts air indoors
- A high humidity environment with lack of good ventilation
The Science of Mold and Mold Growth (in a nutshell)
Molds are simple, microscopic organisms, present virtually everywhere, indoors and outdoors. Molds, along with mushrooms and yeasts, are fungi and are needed to break down dead plant and animal material and to recycle nutrients in the environment. Because molds grow by digesting organic material, they gradually destroy whatever they grow on. Molds can grow on surfaces or objects in buildings. Molds are a fast growing organism, and only need a food source- any organic matter (leaves, wood, paper or dust) and moisture, which does not have to be liquid, to grow. Because organic matter is readily available, the best prevention for mold is to prevent dampness from entering your building.
Employee Health Complaints
Employees who report health concerns caused from the working environment often complain of:
- Causation of new asthma
- Asthma attacks in those who already have asthma
- Allergic rhinitis (sneezing, congested nose, or runny nose)
- Upper respiratory symptoms, such as stuffy or congested nose or sinuses, sore throat, or irritated nose or throat
- Lower respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or cough
- Respiratory infections such as acute bronchitis
- Eye irritation (burning, watery, or reddened eyes)
- Eczema and skin rashes or irritation
Because molds release tiny spores and small particles that travel through the air, we all inhale mold every day without apparent harm, however, mold can cause poor health when large amounts of mold spores are inhaled over time.
Mold Testing
If there is a flood, pipe break or other large amount of water damage where water intrusion occurs, it is important to have the moisture eradicated within 48 hours of the damage. At G2 we have non-invasive tools which can let you know where you have water intrusion, even when you can’t see it. With our thermal-imaging technology we can see where moisture is inside you walls, and take accurate and efficient samples. Our state of the art labs will give us results quickly so that you can be on your way to remediate any mold or water intrusion issues you have in your home or business.
Indoor environmental quality issues can cost companies significantly and water intrusion issues can be can be a significant contributor to these issues.