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RTS Environmental Newsletter, December 2008

Often times mold problems are not discovered until a home inspection is conducted and it leaves the seller and agent in a predicament. Once you find that there are mold issues, it is wise to act quickly before it spreads. When a customer discovers that they have mold, the first question is "How do we get rid of it?"

RTS Environmental Services wants to assist you in this process by providing you the FACTS about Mold and how a Mold inspection can educate you. Presented below is the third part of a series of common questions asked by our customers and real estate partners about household mold issues. If you or a potential homebuyer suspects that there may be a mold problem in a property, it is wise to schedule a mold inspection to determine the severity of the problem. Mold grows in damp and dark areas of the home that my not be easily seen and it is better to determine if there is a problem before a house is actively marketed or sold.

How fast do I need to respond?

The EPA says: "If you have a mold problem, ACT QUICKLY." See the EPA publication "A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home."

The reason is because mold can start to grow within 24 to 48 hours after water infiltration. The longer moisture is available, the greater chance there is for mold to grow on affected surfaces.

Can I just clean up the mold myself? Why hire and expensive contractor?

If it's a small area, you can probably handle the job yourself. See EPA guidelines for help. But if your area of contamination is larger than 10 square feet, you probably don't want to tackle it on your own for two reasons. First, without proper containment, you may spread mold spores throughout your home. Second, the goal of remediation is to get rid of the mold, not just to kill it. While you may be able to wipe all the contaminated areas (assuming you can see and reach them), this process will not kill all of the spores, and even dead mold can be a potential health concern. That is a why a mold professional will actually remove the mold that cannot be cleaned effectively.

After I clean mold myself, it grows back. Why?

When mold is disrupted by cleaning, it releases tiny spores that disperse into the air. After cleaning, the mold may be visibly removed but the spores are still airborne. If moisture is present from a water leak or elevated humidity, the mold spores will grow into new mold colonies. As a result, each cleaning spreads the mold problem and may cause further growth. The key is removing the moisture, and properly removing the mold spores through air treatments and filtration to prevent the mold from reoccurring. These methods and practices are the basis of what mold remediation is.

If you or a potential homebuyer suspects that there may be a mold problem in a property, it is wise to schedule a mold inspection to determine the severity of the problem. Mold grows in damp and dark areas of the home that may not be easily seen and it is better to determine if there is a problem before a house is sold.

To discuss this with a certified mold inspector, please contact RTS Environmental Services at 1-800-722-5589 or visit our website at www.rtsenvironmental.com

RTS Environmental has provided thousands of mold in sections for real estate professionals and buyers throughout the greater Washington Metropolitan area to provide thorough, honest, and practical inspections and solutions.

Contact Information
RTS Environmental Services, Inc.
Tel: 1-800-722-5589
301-607-6276 Maryland Line
Fax: 301-831-6235
Email: info@rtsenvironmental.com

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