Mold Publications

The Homeowner’s Guide to Mold. As homeowners learn more about the real damage mold can cause to their health and home, their concerns are rapidly rising. They’re beginning to realize that their energy-efficient, “tight” homes built since the ‘70s energy crisis can actually be havens for destructive mold, thanks to poor circulation and “mold-friendly” materials like conventional drywall and particleboard. They’re also discovering that many insurance companies are no longer covering mold-related damages. This puts the burden on the homeowner (and the contractor, for new or remodeled homes) to prevent mold before it causes serious and expensive problems.

This book was published in 2006 and is available on-line. It’s also available at Lowe’s Home Improvement. It discusses health affects, mold testing, mold remediation, mold-resistant construction techniques, and tips for preventing mold.

Relationship of Mold to Indoor Air Quality. Indoor air quality is a serious concern because of the amount of time we spend in our homes. Exposures to harmful components can be higher indoors because of sources within the home that emit pollutants. Indoors, the air is trapped without exchange or dilution. In the last decade, efforts at increasing energy efficiency have diminished the amount of airflow within a house. Improvements in sealants, insulations, windows, and cladding have resulted in domiciles that are practically airtight. Pollutants can accumulate and cause health problems that range from minor symptoms, allergic sensitization, to disease, or chronic conditions. An airtight home also holds in moisture, and prevents evaporation through air exchange. This has led to a recent increase in concern over the presence of different types of molds and mildews. Newer, air tight, energy efficient homes are perfect growth environments for mold.

This unpublished paper is available exclusively on this website. It copyrighted by Sherlock Home’s wife, Penny Young in 2004. You have permission to read and print it for your own use. All other rights are reserved.

Mold for Real Estate Pros. Due to the American legal environment, real estate professionals (brokers, agents, appraisers, builders, real estate inspectors, and others) are vulnerable to litigation where mold is concerned. This presentation helps these professionals understand the issues and how to protect themselves and their clients. The presentation is used to teach a 3-hour continuing education course approved by the Georgia Real Estate Commission by the Building Environment Restoration Institute (BREI). This class is jointly taught by ServiceMaster Total Cleaning and Home InSight.

Mold Awareness. An abbreviated presentation of Mold for Real Estate Professionals summarizes the salient contained in it for real estate brokers and sales agents.

Mold Professionals

"Disclaimer"These are mold professionals in the Atlanta area Home InSight has worked with to help clients in their quest to deal with their situation. As relationships develop, more experts will be added. Eventually, there will be at least three businesses in each category These professionals are members of a wider community of capable people in the area. Others may be found in the Internet, phone books, referrals, etc. American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) members ethically cannot refer any professionals to clients. Therefore, consider this list as a place to start looking for the help rather than as an endorsement.

Attorneys
Sometimes litigation is needed to pay for mold-related damages. It's best to have legal experts specializing in both real estate construction and mold.

Leon Van Geldren, P.C
Building 6, Suite 200
2000 Peachtree Dunwoody Road
Atlanta, GA 30328
Office: 770-392-9006
Fax: 770-392-2090
website: www.LVGpcLawFirm.com

Doctors
Hazardous mold is allergenic, toxigenic, or pathogenic to humans. Find doctors who consider the affects of mold as part of their practice. Lab reports provided after mold sampling assist them in treating patients.
Theodore M. Lee, MD
Peachtree Allergy & Asthma Clinic, P.C.
150 Henry Burson Drive, Suite 102
Carrollton, GA 30117
Office: 770-832-1984
website: www.Peachtree-Allergy.com

Industrial Hygienists
After mold sampling indicates indoor air is contaminated, sometimes it?s appropriate to find out what options are available before contacting a certified mold remediator. This is most likely to happen when lab test results are marginal with initial sampling or remediation.

Mike Beuerlein, E.I.
DocAir
150 Henry Burson Drive, Suite 102
Carrollton, GA 30117
Office: 404-816-4289
Mobile: 770-833-4645
website: www.DocAir.com

Mold-Trained Remodeling Contractors
Before remediating mold, the water source has to be removed or the mold will come back. However, precautions need to be taken during demolition to avoid the spread of mold spores. These contractors are trained to perform construction activities in a moldy environment.

Jorge Valdes
ServiceMaster Total Clean
155 Shamrock Industrial Blvd
Tyrone, GA 30290
Office: 770-486-3770
Website: www.SVMTotalClean.com

Certified Mold Remediators
After removing the source of water feeding mold, the colonies need to be removed by certified mold remediators. In the process, the surfaces they were growing on need to be cleaned as well as the indoor air. These remediators are known to be certified and carry pollution insurance.

Jorge Valdes
ServiceMaster Total Clean
155 Shamrock Industrial Blvd
Tyrone, GA 30290
Office: 770-486-3770
Website: www.SVMTotalClean.com

Larry Fried
Servpro of Chamblee/Dunwoody
3788 Green Industrial Way
Atlanta, GA 30341
Office: 770-396-3883
Fax: 770-220-2824
website: www.ServPro.com

These are lists of Certified Mold Remediators; however, their pollution coverage has not been checked.

Indoor Air Quality Association
website: www.IAQA.org

ServiceMaster
Quality Restoration Vendors
Toll Free: 800-737-7663
website: www.ServiceMasterClean.com

Servpro
Toll Free: 800-737-8776
website: www.ServPro.com

Laboratories
Laboratories analyze mold samples. They can answer specific questions about mold hazards. They also have lists of mold professionals who can assist with mold clean up, remediation, and testing.

Pro-Lab
3300 Corporate Avenue, Bldg #112
Weston, FL 33331
Office: 954-384-4446
Toll Free: 800-427-0550
website: www.ReliableLab.com

EMSL Analytical
1770 The Exchange, Suite 135
Atlanta, GA 30339
Office: 770-956-9150
Toll Free: 800-220-3675
website: www.EMSL.com

Aerotech Laboratories, Inc.
1501 W Knudsen Drive
Phoenix, AZ 85027
Office: 623-780-4800
Toll Free: 800-651-4802
website: www.AeroTechPK.com