Building Construction Defects Cause Both Hidden & Visible Toxic Black Mold & Household Mold Infestations in Homes, Apartments, Condominiums, Offices, & Workplaces

           Improperly and defectively-built homes, apartments, condominiums, offices, workplaces, and commercial buildings are frequently mold hells because of serious and significant building construction defects such as---

         (1) the delivery to the construction site of already mold-infested construction materials such as moldy plywood, moldy timbers, and moldy drywall in the construction of a home or other building.
         (2) failure of the home builder or building contractor and its supervisors and employees to recognize and understand the environmental risks of using mold-infested building materials;
           (3) the failure to inspect building materials for mold growth before the use of the construction materials.
         (4) the outdoor storage of construction materials unprotected against rain;
         (5) the failure of the builder or contractor to cover the building under construction with tarps or plastic sheeting to keep rain off of the under-construction home or building.
         (5) the contractor and employees of the contractor fail to mold inspect and mold test the house or building during construction.
         (6) using construction materials that encourages mold growth---such as chipboard, wafer board, OSB, and drywall.
           (7) failure to install a high-quality water barrier beneath the concrete floor of the basement or first floor (if no basement) to keep
water from wicking up from the ground into the building and thus into the walls of the building.
           (8) not putting waterproofing compound into the concrete mix used to build floors over the ground.
           (9) faulty workmanship that leaves water entry points in the roof and siding.

          Q. I just bought a new house we close on 8/6/04. How can I keep my home mold-free. What preventive measures can We take. Where does mold usually show up in a new home? Am I covered for mold in my home owner’s insurance? [August 6, 2004]
          A. Mold problems will first show up in a new home in the testing of indoor air for elevated levels of airborne mold spores. Most insurance policies exclude mold damage. If possible, delay the closing on the house until you have had the opportunity to have the home mold inspected and mold tested by a Certified Mold Inspector. Even though the house is new, it is very possible, and even very likely, that the home has built-in mold problems from a number of construction defects and procedures utilized by the home builder. Read all about new home mold problems by visiting Mold Removal.  While a home is still under construction [at the framing stage], all timbers, plywood, and drywall need to be sprayed with at least one coating of a strong fungicide on all surfaces, followed [after drying] by one wet spraying of an EPA-registered antimicrobial coating. Assuming that the new home is actually mold-safe, your next step is to make sure that the landscaping of the grounds facilitates water running away from the house, and not toward the house [causing possible water intrusion]. Regularly check your roof and siding for damage that could allow water entry into your home. Monitor your indoor plumbing lines and sewage lines against hidden water leaks inside walls, floors, and ceilings with a hidden moisture meter. Another preventive step is use a $30 digital hygrometer to monitor year-round the indoor humidity of your basement, crawl space, each room, attic, and garage. Your goal is to keep the indoor humidity at a mold-discouraging 30 to 40 percent. If the indoor humidity exceeds 60 percent, you have invited mold to be a permanent guest in your home. Learn many more mold preventive steps in our book Do-It-Best-Yourself Mold Prevention, Inspection, Testing, and Remediation, available from Mold Mart.