OUR US EPA REGISTERED ANTIMICROBIALS ELIMINATE ALL VIRUSES MOLD BACTERIA ODORS
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Mold Inspection and Mold Remediation
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The only thing mold ever killed was the real estate transaction!
There are 23 disclosures the law requires in a real estate transaction and mold is NOT one of them. Never was. In 1993 the Illinois Realtors Association created their own nightmare by adding number 24 to their list: Has the home ever been tested for mold and if so, what was the result? This has been devastating because almost all mold tests are positive because mold is everywhere always and there is no established standardized number for what constitutes an unacceptable level. In 2016, after committing Real Estate Deal Harakiri for 23 years, the IAR's Legal Counsel finally stepped in and called for the removal of any all mention of mold, mold disclosure, mold inspection etc., because they clarified that mold is NOT a material defect of a home (it's a dirty condition), it's not in the law, and mold has never been scientifically correlated to the cause of serious illness or death. Hence the long overdue removal of the unofficial mold disclosure.
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ACTION OZONE - WHERE YOU ALWAYS SAVE MORE MONEY!
Mold does not cause cancer, does not cause brain damage, does not burn your hands or eyes - mold causes hay fever! Mold has never been directly correlated to causing serious illness or death. Mold is an allergen, a dirty condition that does not usually require "Professional" mold services. We are your Mold Clarity. We make it our mission to assess and remediate mold issues with an honest and serious, LOW COST approach unlike the vast majority of the mold industry which exists solely for financial gain.
THIS IS NOT "ATTIC MOLD"!! THIS IS A SCAM!!
This is Condensation Staining - Completely Harmless
Condensation staining is common and typical and is NOT a live mold condition. This occurs when humid air enters the attic, most often when the roof is colder than the house temperature (weather related), but also under conditions of poor ventilation or ventilation defects. Sometimes the discoloration is from an obvious and current defect, a past defect now since corrected, - other times it is as simple as stack effect or natural rise. Nonetheless, common and typical. When humid air comes in contact with the roof decking surface, condensation droplets occur. On the north sides, condensation and staining is more prevalent due to limited or no direct sunlight. Condensation can occur in winter, rainy seasons and sometimes summer. Meanwhile airborne particulate from outside and inside the attic attach to the condensation droplets. This particulate can be comprised of mold, dust, dirt, pollen, spider webs, dust mites, and other organic and inorganic matter that floats in and through the attic. When temperatures level off, the droplets dry up leaving a black, dirty stain spot, peppering or black shadowing – most often across the north sides of the roof decking- sometimes to all sides. Home and Mold Inspectors are being trained to call this a "mold-like" substance. Live mold is colorful and fluffy. Remember that loaf of bread you forgot about when you went on vacation that time? WHAT IN THE WIDE WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS IS "MOLD-LIKE" ABOUT THIS ROOF DECKING? Unfortunately, homeowners are being conned into having this discoloration bleached out for outrageous cost. Why spend thousands of dollars to erase harmless dirt from the attic? This is an inherently dirty environment that will only become dirty once again soon. Many companies are pushing magical mold stain removers that will make the roof decking look like brand new. Line up their $135 jugs of "special" mold remover against a $2.99 gallon of store bought bleach and you will find the same common ingredients - and the whole thing didn't need to be done anyhow.
So what's the problem?
NOTHING! - In most cases. One of the fastest growing scams in the mold inspection, home inspection and home improvement industry is the Attic Mold Scam. Mold can't grow in the attic - the environmental conditions are not conducive for live, active mold growth. The attic is too hot and dry in the summer with temperatures too hot and so dry, any unwanted moisture dries up in seconds. Any viable mold spores entering the attic in the summer are killed by the lack of water. In the winter, temperatures are too cold. Mold needs temperatures of 40 degrees or warmer. In the winter, any mold presence in the attic dies due to extreme cold and essentially being freeze-dried. In the fall and spring, mold can sometimes begin to thrive, but usually the air flows dry out the attic and dry out the mold, and it all dies at Summer and winter regardless. When mold dies it turns black. Hence the "black mold" myth. Black mold is dead mold. Dead mold is dirt. Dirt is harmless. It's not causing wood rot and its not a health hazard. While we do see a rare case of actual live mold growth in an attic, (about 1 in 30) it is still a harmless condition that more often than not, is very easily and affordably mitigated without expensive physical removal processes.
ABOUT US
Certifications and Licenses
MICRO Certified Mold Inspector
MICRO Certified Mold Remediation Contractor
Licensed Radon Measurement Professional
Certified Ozone Technician
Certified Antimicrobial Applicator
Licensed Home Inspector
EPA LeadSafe Renovator
Quality Mold and Odor Elimination
Licensed, Certifed, Bonded and Fully Insured Professionals
Serving Northern Illinois, Southern Wisconsin and Northwest Indiana Since 2007
847-683-7505
ACTION SHIELD
Our FLAGSHIP SERVICE - High Concentration Ozone Shock AND Antimicrobial Biostatic Surface Protectant. This total sanitize process ensures complete kill of mold, bacteria, viruses and odors with forward moving protection against further contamination. From Spring Cleaning to Distressed Property Stabilization, we safely bring the baseline to ZERO indoor contaminants. Our powerful Ozone Shock kills mold and odors and is backed up with antimicrobial mold inhibitors for long lasting protection.
OUR US EPA REGISTERED ANTI-MICROBIALS ELIMINATE ALL VIRUSES MOLD BACTERIA ODORS
OUR GREEN ANTIMICROBIALS ARE CERTIFIED AND SAFE FOR YOUR HOME AND THE ENVIRONMENT
TRADITIONAL MOLD REMEDIATION
When building materials are truly damaged by water or fire, we provide full service fire and flood remediation services.
NO-NONSENSE MOLD INSPECTION
One of the biggest mold inspection scams out there is "Mold Testing". ALL MOLD TESTS ARE POSITIVE! There are no established standards or regulations for acceptable levels of mold. Our SIMPLE, yet comprehensive mold inspections consider sight, smell, and environmental conditions, such as food sources, moisture content of building materials, weather, and empirical as well as statistical and fact-based medical evidence. We NEVER sensationalize nor promote the unreasonable fears of mold propagandized by the media and mold industry.
RADON TESTING
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking. Almost all homes have a radon level and we are here to conduct proper testing with the most accurate equipment in the industry conducted by our Illinois Licensed Radon Measurement Professionals.
Indoor Air Quality and VOC Testing
Sometimes the causes of illnesses or even simple discomfort are difficult to figure. We use only the most professional, industry standard diagnostic products and equipment, in conjunction with properly accredited and qualified laboratories to provide the most accurate data for proper analysis.
Coming soon: FAQs and Mold Scams Exposed!
Mold Statements/Facts:
MOLD IS EVERYWHERE - MOLD IS IN MY HOME - MOLD IS IN YOUR HOME - ALWAYS
Mold is NOT a carcinogen. Mold does NOT burn and is NOT a hazardous material. Mold NEVER killed anybody. Almost every mold test result is “positive”.
Home Inspectors, Mold Inspectors and Mold Remediators are constantly being bombarded with training, continuing education, seminars, blogs, forums, editorials, advertisements and more, declaring mold a child killing, house destroying hazardous substance and only high priced special mold cleaning products, machines and procedures can resolve even the smallest mold “contamination”. Many of these professionals are gullible enough to believe this nonsense. Most of these professionals are well aware of the realities and thrive on the fears of innocent people who have been convinced that mold is a “problem” in our world. Very few mold professionals, such as myself, approach mold issues seriously from a truthful, factual and sensible approach.
“Black Mold” and “Toxic Mold” are a complete hoax created by the mold industry and mainstream media as tool of propaganda in order to instill fear and promote their cause to further their financially motivated effort to convince America that mold kills children and turns houses into toothpicks. “Black mold” does not mean “deadly mold”. Black mold is usually dead mold as all mold turns black when it dies.
There has never been a scientific or medical correlation to serious illness or death related to any strain of mold.
There is no authority over mold, mold inspectors, mold remediators, mold testers, or other so-called mold professionals. This is because mold is not a public health concern, nor a recognized legitimate hazardous material.
There are no established standards or regulations on acceptable or unacceptable levels of mold contamination for indoor environments. While there are generally accepted principles amongst the indoor air quality profession, the level, status or magnitude of a mold condition is left open for opinion and interpretation by the individual and the mold professional. Mold exists everywhere on the planet in the environment indoors and out. "Problematic" mold levels and exposure are relative to type and quantity, as well as individual effect and affect. Indoors, mold becomes a problem more commonly when it is visible and obvious; odiferous; and the levels exceed known outdoor averages, and/or a person or persons occupying the space feel adverse health effects correlating to whatever quantity of mold is present. The cleaning and restoration industry has written its own “guidelines” for mold inspection and remediation. The guidelines instill fear and intimidation and imply that mold destroys homes and lives – which it does NOT.
Mold inspections and mold testing is one the biggest scams in America and is usually only performed by home inspectors and mold inspectors to enhance their bottom line. All mold tests are positive because mold is everywhere – indoors and outdoors – ALWAYS. There is no authority on mold. There is no authority over mold inspectors, testers or remediators. Home inspectors are not usually mold inspectors and either they know mold is largely a scam or they have fallen victim to the propaganda injected into our society designed to promote the fear of mold. There are no established standards for acceptable or unacceptable levels of mold. There are no established standards for healthy or unhealthy levels or types of mold. Anyone can declare themselves a mold professional with or without training. This is all because mold is NOT a public health issue. Mold is NOT a “material defect” in a real estate transaction. Mold is NOT a disclosure item (and never has been) on the Illinois Real Estate Disclosure Act. Any lab report can be interpreted as good. Any lab report can be interpreted as bad.
A mold inspection, looking for problematic levels of mold, simply consists of sight and smell. In most cases the presence of mold can be determined by anybody with little or no training. More factors such as environmental, weather and building conditions, also play an important part when making conclusions and determinations.
Most persons obtaining mold samples do not use accurate or proper scientific basis, methodology or procedures. Samples only tell us what we already know. There is mold. In most cases, the samples are not cultured to determine the viability of the mold to establish whether it was dead or live at time of sampling.
Laboratories do not take a position on the characteristic of mold analysis beyond issuing mold spore counts or bulk counts. This is not the role of the lab and goes beyond their scope. Only those present can characterize the level or magnitude of the mold presence. All mold investigations MUST consider MULTIPLE factors and NEVER rest solely on one factor such as a sample.
All houses, offices, and workplaces have mold. All houses and workplaces contain the dreaded “toxic black mold” (a nonsensical term invented by the news media). Virtually every human, in virtually every location on earth inhales hundreds to hundreds of thousands of mold spores and mold fragments on a daily basis. And yet, contrary to common belief, there is currently no evidence that the presence of these molds and the exposures to the same poses the threat to the health of members of the general public as suggested by irresponsible journalists, and dramatic news reports largely devoid of objective facts.
Many labs use a comparison theory that there should be more mold present outdoors than indoors. The comparison of indoor to outdoor in winter, rain, snow cover and humid climate holds absolutely no credibility or reliability. The mold counts outdoor in winter weather for example, are typically extremely low as mold cannot grow in temperatures less than 40 degrees and is likely being blown into the area through the jet stream from other areas. It is normal to have low numbers outdoors. Indoors the numbers can most certainly be higher during winter.
Indications of problematic mold contamination may include one or all of the following red flags: Visible signs of large volumes of water and of live mold, musty odors, water stains, water damaged surfaces, visible conditions that would allow water infiltration, air samples revealing elevated or above average/normal mold counts in conjunction with excessive sneezing, coughing or respiratory discomfort of persons nearby, or any unexplained medical condition that could possibly be linked to mold exposure – which is absolutely a very rare occurrence. Conditions which promote growth of mold are excessively wet or humid surroundings and cellulose surfaces which include drywall, paper, cloth, wood and more.
Mold cannot feed/grow on glass, metal, plastic or concrete. Mold feeds on wood, paper, cloth, food and any other organic or cellulose substance.
There are two hazards associated with live, active, problematic mold – a very mild health hazard (sneezing and coughing); and building materials deterioration risk (rot).
The Illinois Department of Public Health does not recommend mold testing because there are no standards established to determine acceptable levels, with the philosophy to just focus on cleaning the mold.
The Illinois Department of Public Health does not recommend professional remediation for areas of less than 30 square feet, and/or 30% of the general area affected and strongly discourages mold inspection and testing in any case.
Elevated levels of mold in attics, basements and crawlspaces is common and typical and often confused with condensation stains. Outdoor air generally flows through the attics and crawlspaces therefore there is usually no health hazard to the living space associated with large volumes of live mold. Materials deterioration risk is minimal as it would typically take decades for mild to moderate mold growth to deteriorate building materials to the point of destruction. Commonly and typically, mold appears heavier in the attic than the ubiquitous amounts unseen in living spaces. As mold cycles through the seasons, it lives and dies sometimes causing discolorations and/or blackening of the roof sheeting and other areas. Basement and crawlspace floors are cool and damp and transfer moisture up from the ground.
Mold Hoax Reference Link written by Robert Sheriff CIH with Atlantic Environmental Inc: http://www.atlenv.com/mold-hoax-or-hazard/
Mold does not cause Vertigo:
http://www.webmd.com/brain/vertigo-symptoms-causes-treatment#1
Mold Myths:
http://www.forensic-applications.com/moulds/sok.html
Mold Testing not necessary:
http://forensic-applications.com/moulds/sampling.html
Mold can stay in walls:
https://www.emlab.com/s/sampling/env-report-11-2005.html
Toxic Mold debunked:
http://www.indoorweb.com/toxic_mold.html
https://builtenv.wordpress.com/2013/12/06/wood-moisture/
http://www.gottliebhospital.org/allergy-count
Air sampling for fungi should not be part of a routine assessment. This is because decisions about appropriate remediation strategies can usually be made on the basis of a visual inspection.- New York City Department of Health, Bureau of Environmental & Occupational Disease Epidemiology
It has long been known that there is no correlation between indoor and outdoor spore concentrations in the circumstances under discussion, and investigators who practice such indoor/outdoor comparisons are exclusively poorly trained practitioners who lack a legitimate understanding of indoor aerobiology.
In spite of the recent media hype over the presence of mold in residences and the workplace, there is virtually no scientific or medical data that supports the level of fear and concern generated by misleading and sensationalized news reports. -Caoimhín P. Connell -Forensic Industrial Hygienist -Forensic Applications Consulting Technologies, Inc.