1. Mold Awareness Training
Mold
Physical Inspection and
Investigation of Buildings
April 27, 2008.
Suite 1000, 8484 Georgia Ave.
Silver Spring, MD
Main Phone:
Main Fax:
Don Ellenberger
DOE & EPA Training Director
Phone:
Fax:

2. Mold and Indoor Air Quality
Mold Awareness Training
Mold and Indoor Air Quality
v Some mold problems are obvious – you will see it growing – if you are lucky. Others are not so obvious. If you can see mold or if there is a musty odor, there probably is a mold problem.
The white “stuff” on the top left quarter of the photo.

3. Mold Awareness Training
Mold and IAQ
v Areas that are wet, or have been wet because of flooding, leaky plumbing, leaky roofing, or areas that are humid (such as bathrooms and laundry rooms) are most likely to have mold growth.

4. Mold Awareness Training
Mold and IAQ
v Look for signs of previous water damage. Visible mold growth may be found underneath wall paper, baseboards,
carpet, behind walls, in attic
spaces, in basements, or it may be evident by colored
plaster or drywall. If you don’t
see mold, it could still be
growing in areas you cannot
see, such as duct work for a
heating/cooling system or in a
wall space.
Basement “play” area.

5. Mold Awareness Training
Mold and IAQ
The first course of action is
to determine why the mold
is growing. Investigate any
areas that are damp. Mold
will grow on any surface that
provides moisture and food.

6. Mold Prevention and Control
Mold Awareness Training
Mold Prevention and Control
The most effective method of (mold) source control is the elimination of moisture that supports mold growth.
This may involve the fixing of leaking pipes, windows or roofs, directing rainfall or drainage away from exterior walls, and/or increasing insulation. Using fans or opening windows may also be helpful. Ventilation systems, especially those in large commercial buildings, should be properly maintained and examined periodically for mold contamination.
When underlying moisture sources cannot be readily eliminated, air conditioners and dehumidifiers can help control relative humidity. When using dehumidifiers, water collection traps should be cleaned routinely as these are another source of mold growth.

7. Mold Awareness Training
Mold in Buildings
Building and/or Material Defects
+ Water infiltration = Mold and Structural Damage
Building
Leak
Behind the wallpaper in guest suite
Hotel in Sharonville, OH. 2 slides, 4 pictures.

8. Mold Awareness Training
Mold in Buildings
This is one example why biocides rarely
work on porous surfaces – look behind the wall.
Guest suite wall with wallpaper down … Behind the wall ….

9. Mold Awareness Training
Mold in Buildings
Disaster + Water Infiltration = Mold and
Structural Damage
EPA picture, Slidell, LA 09/10/2005. Wind, rain, flood.

10. Mold Awareness Training
Mold in Buildings
CPWR picture – Slidell, LA 11/29/2005

11. Mold Awareness Training
Mold in Buildings
CPWR pictures – Slidell, LA 11/29/2005

12. Mold Awareness Training
Mold in Buildings
Construction practices that contribute to
mold growth include –
⌂ Incorrect building specifications,
⌂ Non-standard contractors,
⌂ Plumbing leaks,
⌂ Exterior siding that holds water,
⌂ Trash or debris in wall cavities,
⌂ Wood in contact with concrete,
⌂ Lack of flashing and/or poorly,
installed flashing,
⌂ Concrete slab not cured, and
⌂ Use of inappropriate building materials.

13. Mold Awareness Training
Mold in Buildings
Building material that can contribute to mold
growth include:
⌂ Wet board;
⌂ Particle board;
⌂ EFIS – Exterior Finishing Insulation System;
⌂ Pressed wood cabinets, boxes, storage units, etc.

14. Mold Awareness Training
Mold in Buildings
Exterior Finishing Insulation System(s)
One EFIS design. There are many.

15. Mold Awareness Training
Mold in Buildings
Building practices have changed and have
created conditions that make mold growth more
likely, including –
⌂ Tight or “wrapped” buildings (no air flow);
⌂ EIFS;
⌂ Poor construction of housing
and building additions, decks,
windows, siding, foundations;
and,
⌂ Poor drainage.
Foundation leak.

16. Mold Awareness Training
Mold in Buildings
Exterior Finishing Insulation System(s)
One EFIS design. There are many.

17. Mold Awareness Training
Mold in Buildings
Red Flags – Signs of Mold Growth
If you spot any of these “red flags” while performing a walk-through
for job bid or worse, while working, then you might want the area
and/or mold tested and analyzed.
O Visible mold growth on walls, floors,
between baseboard and wallboard,
on and behind sheetrock, and
“peeking” out from behind wallpaper;
O Musty odor;
O Evidence of water penetration (staining, moist areas, puddling);

18. Mold Awareness Training
Mold in Buildings
O Evidence of a condition that could allow water penetration (poor grading), bad flashing, etc.;
O Construction defects;
O Poorly maintained or dirty HVAC system;
O Cracks and deteriorated caulking;
O Leaky drains; and
O Uncured concrete slab and/or carpet in direct contact with concrete (no vapor barrier).

19. Mold Awareness Training
Suite 1000, 8484 Georgia Ave.
Silver Spring, MD
Main Phone:
Main Fax:
Don Ellenberger
DOE & EPA Training Director
Phone:
Fax: