If you have any questions or comments please contact us by email or telephone.
Q. How much does it cost for the mould remediation to be carried out in my built environment? A. As there are so many variables involved in mould remediation Healthy Building Systems is unable to provide a predetermined cost initially. The cost is site specific depending on the extent of the mould contamination, the extent of the damage, the amount of labour involved and the equipment utilised. These factors will be identified by the Independent Mycologist Report.
Q. Should I use bleach to clean up mould? A. Bleach is a carcinogenic product (excessive use can increase the risk of cancers). Bleach DOES NOT kill or remove mould it only discolours mould. Bleach actually feeds mould through the hyphae.
Q. Can I paint over mould? A. Do not paint over mouldy surfaces. Clean up the mould and dry the surfaces before painting. Paint applied over mouldy surfaces is a band-aid effect that is likely to peel and reappear in the future.
Q. What are the health effects of mould? A. Most common types of moulds are generally not harmful to healthy individuals. However, exposure to mould can cause reactions depending on overall health, age and the amount of time an exposed person spends in the mould contaminated built environment.
Young babies, pregnant women, asthmatics and people with depressed immune systems are most at risk if exposed to large amounts of mould.
The most common health problems associated with exposure to mould are: sneezing, runny nose, red-eyes, and skin rashes. Moulds can also bring on asthma attacks in susceptible individuals. Some moulds that are usually harmless can cause illness in people with depressed immune systems. Non-specific respiratory and flu-like symptoms, headaches, skin problems and impaired immune functions have been blamed on long-term exposure to moulds and mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are metabolites or by-products from the moulds that have been identified as being toxic to humans. These toxins can slowly wear down the immune system and can lead to allergic or respiratory problems. Anyone experiencing any of these symptoms should consult a physician.
Q. How can I prevent mould from growing in my built environment? A. Moulds can grow almost everywhere and on any substance providing moisture is present. Thus, the best method of prevention is to reduce the amount of moisture.
Keep the relative humidity between 30% and 60%. To accomplish this goal, prevention measures include:
a). Control the humidity level - Avoid high and prolonged humidity/dampness. Limit the number of fish tanks, water features and Indoor plants as these can raise the humidity level in your built environment.
b). Appropriate ventilation - Use an exhaust fan, particularly when bathing, showering, cooking and doing laundry/using the dryer. Open windows when suitable.
c). Control moisture - Repair all water intrusion leaks and plumbing problems.
Clean up any floods or spills immediately (within 24-48 hours).
Do not install carpet around fountains, sinks, bathtubs/showers or directly on top of concrete floors that are prone to leaks or frequent condensation.
Thoroughly clean and dry water-damaged carpets and building materials.
In modern buildings, moisture is present as the result of:
flooding,
leaks in the roof or plumbing,
sealed buildings that do not allow excess moisture to escape,
sources such as cooking facilities, showers, etc., or
excess humidity.
Q. How do I improve my I.A.Q (Indoor Air Quality)? A. Using ventilation to dilute contaminants, filtration, and source control are the primary methods for improving indoor air quality in most buildings.
Use natural household cleaning products and reduce exposure to potentially toxic airborne substances
Regularly clean the vents in your kitchen, bathroom, and dryer (ensure adequate ventilation is in place) and make sure they operate properly.
Do not smoke or allow smoking in your home
Prevent carbon monoxide exposure by keeping gas appliances properly serviced and externally flumed, having your central heating system inspected and cleaned yearly, and never idling your car inside an attached garage.
Change filters on central cooling and heating systems and air cleaners
Have any air-conditioning systems inspected regularly to verify that there is no internal contamination build up contributing to poor indoor air quality.
Q. How can you tell if my built environment HVAC system is contaminated? A. There are numerous reasons that lead people to believe they may have a problem in their built environment some include: health effects such as irritation of the eyes, headaches, fatigue and nausea, people may detect a damp, mouldy smell that is circulated throughout the occupied space, the air returns visibly appear dirty and covered in a fine dust, the air conditioning never reaches or has trouble maintaining the desired temperature even when it isn’t extremely hot outside or not enough air is circulated throughout the room.
10 Things you should know about mould
1. Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mould exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.
2. There is no practical way to eliminate all mould and mould spores in the indoor built environment; the way to control indoor mould growth is to control moisture.
3. If mould is a problem in your built environment you must clean up the mould and eliminate the sources of moisture.
4. Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mould growth.
5. Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to decrease mould growth by ensuring appropriate ventilation is in place in your home.
6. Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mould growth.
7. Clean mould off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles that are mouldy may need to be replaced.
8. Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e. windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, etc) by adding insulation.
9. In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem do not install carpet (i.e. by drinking fountains, classroom sinks or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation)
10. Moulds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are moulds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet and foods.
