Remediation Example for Leaky Windows [was: Intro...]

[Guest guest]

Cheryl,

Your questions are exactly what need to be asked; and deserve

an objective answer rather than a " shoot from the hip "

remediation or, worse, mold sampling. Your situation is an

excellent illustration regarding recent debates about proper

inspection and, especially, remediation.

If windows and doors have been leaking, especially for a lengthy

time as you indicate, there is probably water damage to the

surrounding structure. That needs to be evaluated by someone

who understands structures so any damage can be identified and

fixed. Why put new windows into a weakened or rotted window

frame? With possible damage (and mold) further inside the wall

or floor?

Because the water leaks, and likely damage, have occurred over

time, it is possible that mold/bacteria have also grown. It is most

likely inside the walls and floors near the leaks. But because

water evaporates, it travels as increased humidity inside the walls

and floors with possible condensation as least as far as the next

joist or stud. Perhaps further, depending on exactly how the

house is built. These are locations to be checked for damage.

The above are normal contractor issues.

However, because of the high potential for mold, especially if

there are health complaints, this is NOT just a normal

construction site. It must first be made safe to open the walls and

floors to prevent cross-contamination. It is now a " water damage

with possible mold " site.

This is where you need someone familiar with dampness indoors

and current practices for containment with airflow control during

inspections.

Air samples for mold are often of NO help, and don't provide any

useful information at this time anyway, because the spores may

not be coming out of the damaged areas. But the other

components of mold growth such as MVOCs, enzymes, glucans

from cell wall fragments, proteinase, mycotoxins, endotoxins from

bacteria, and mold fragments might be. Which could account for

any health complaints.

Surface samples of the outside surface will not indicate what

might be growing on the inside surfaces. This is part of why mold

sampling, especially air sampling, cannot locate the mold. It

doesn't provide any information beyond the specific location of

the sample.

BTW, fogging or even spraying the outside surface won't

transport the antimicrobial or " good " bacteria inside the wall

because there is no food path from outside to inside. (If the wall

has visible heavy growth, as in a previously referenced Web site

photo, the wall itself is usually structurally compromised and

needs replacement for that reason).

To find out what is actually inside the walls and floors, you need

someone experienced with local containment while making

exploratory openings in the walls and floors. When the old

windows are removed there should be some sort of containment

established to prevent release into the air and possibly being

spread throughout the house (cross-contamination). Contruction

is proceeding but it is inside the controls of a " mold " site.

If properly contained, you may not need the mold inspection of

interior structures. Just have the contractor remove damaged

materials.

But keep in mind that this is still a " mold site " because of the

containment. It won't be a normal construction site until " cleared "

by someone experienced with when a " mold site " is clean enough

to be transferred back to a " construction site. "

Once this point is reached, someone other than the contractor

(even if they are also a mold remediator) needs to verify the site

is physically clean, mold clean and habitable for you. This is

rarely a remediator, but a consultant who has this type of

knowledge and experience. The greater the impact on health, the

more necessary this becomes. I realize this increases the cost,

but it can dramatically reduce or eliminate ongoing exposure with

it's gigantic costs.

KEY POINT: The use of any process (ozone, chemical or

naturally occuring) that does not include identification and

removal of damaged or moldy structure cannot fix any of the

issues with your leaky windows and doors. This is why removal of

mold and damaged material is so critical. The only ones who

claim otherwise are those who manufacture and sell ozone,

chemicals and naturally occuring substances, whether properly

registered with EPA or not.

If the moisture is from sewage, that is different, and anti-

microbials are needed to prevent INFECTIONS from exposure.

Even then, removal of the sewage and of damaged materials is

still primary.

Cheryl, your example was perfect to clarify some points. It also

illustrated a few that haven't been previously discussed here.

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

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> That is SO true that testing alone doesn't really do much, but tell you

> you have mold, which you already know or suspect, which is why you had

> testin done to begin with, BUT it doesn't tell you where it's coming

> from. I spoke with a remediator about my reports, he told me I needed

> to first stop the elevated humidity...ok, so we're getting all doors &

> windows replaced because they leak so horribly. My question: What

> will I be left with after I get the house sealed properly? I have no

> idea how long the inside of the house has been exposed to the outside

> because of these leaks. Once the house is sealed properly, is that

> when I would need to have the whole inside remediated?? Or, do I need

> to just have the house contents thoroughly cleaned after they're not

> being exposed to the outside??

> Thank you for any guidance in this area & thank you for the helpful

> info already posted!

> Hugs, Cheryl

>

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