John Ott
Owner of Jo-Re Inc.
Residential
Home
Inspections
Mold
Inspections
Property
Management
Moisture
Mapping
Security
Analysis
Hurricane
Protection
561-376-7710
We
serve Broward,
Palm Beach & Martin
County, Florida
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Could
it be mold? Check for these warning signs:
-
Discoloration
or mold on baseboards, wallboards, or wallpaper
-
Cracks
in shower tile, lack of caulking, loose toilet seal,
leaks under sink
-
Carpet
and padding in direct contact with concrete slab
- Poorly
maintained or dirty air conditioning/heating vents and
filters
- Damp
basement or crawl space
- Water
penetration (water marks on walls, mold spots on walls)
- Musty
or moldy odor
What
is mold and where is it found?
Molds
are microscopic organisms, found virtually everywhere, indoors
and outdoors. Molds can be found on plants, foods, dry leaves,
and other organic material. Also susceptible to mold growth
are cellulose materials, such as cardboard, paper, ceiling
tiles, and sheet rock. Mold spores are easily detached and
made airborne by vacuuming, walking on a carpet or sitting
on a couch. In indoor environments, mold can grow in air
conditioning ducts, carpets, and pots of houseplants. Mold
is often found in these areas:
How
can mold affect your health?
Exposure
to mold is not healthy for anyone, but the following individuals
are at a higher risk for adverse health effects: infants,
children, elderly, immune compromised patients, pregnant
women, and individuals with existing respiratory conditions.
When inhaled, even in small amounts, mold can cause a wide
range of health problems, including respiratory problems
(wheezing), nasal and sinus congestion, watery and red eyes,
nose and throat irritation, skin irritation, aches and pains,
fevers, asthma, emphysema and in some cases even death.
Beware
of toxic black mold - Stachybotrys Chartarum (atra)!
 Stachybotrys
Chartarum (atra) is a greenish-black toxic mold that colonizes
particularly well in high-cellulose material, such as straw,
hay, wet leaves, dry wall, carpet, wall paper, fiber-board,
ceiling tiles, thermal insulation, etc. Stachbotrys, before
drying, is wet and slightly slimy to touch. There are about
15 species of Stachybotrys known throughout the world. This
toxic mold grows in areas where the relative humidity is
above 55%. This type of mold does not grow on plastic, vinyl,
concrete products or ceramic tiles. It is not found in the
green mold on bread or the black mold on shower tiles. Stachybotrys
produces a mycotoxin that causes human mycotoxicosis. This
type of mold is thought to be a possible cause of the sick
building syndrome. Children's exposure to Stachybotrys spores
are thought most likely to cause pulmonary hemosiderosis
(bleeding in the lungs). The following is a list of symptoms
associated with exposure to Stachybotrys mold spores:
-
Respiratory
problems, such as wheezing, and difficulty in breathing
-
Nasal
and sinus congestion
-
Eyes-burning,
watery, reddened, blurry vision and light sensitivity
-
Dry,
hacking cough
-
Sore
throat
-
Nose
and throat irritation
-
Shortness
of breath
-
Chronic
fatigue
-
Skin
irritation
-
Central
nervous system problems (constant headaches, memory
-
problems
and mood changes)
-
Aches
and pains
-
Possible
fever
-
Diarrhea
-
Possible
hemosiderosis
-
Immune
suppression
Fast,
Expert Mold Analysis
 We
use EMSL
Analytical, Inc. to analyze our mold samples. As the
nation's leading and largest environmental testing firm,
EMSL's network of 23 laboratories has been providing quality
analytical services since 1981. They deliver fast, expert
results so that you can act quickly to protect your home
and family.
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We're
certified home inspectors & mold inspectors!
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Certified
by NACHI (National
Association of Certified Home Inspectors)
|
Certified
by E.E.F. (Environmental
Education Foundation) |
Certified by PaRR (Partnership
for Response & Recovery)
Certified Member of O.S.H.A. (Occupational
Safety and Health Administration)
Certified by ESA
(Environmental Solutions Association) |
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|
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Local
Town USA - Local resources in Boca Raton, Florida
We
are licensed, certified & insured!
License numbers 04-08793 and 04-34016
Palm Beach County, Florida
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