Building Type: Residential Home
Primary Complaint: Mold Growth Problems
Project Number: 101023

Relevant Project Info:

Weather

• Overcast and cold

General

• Temperature:
  • Outside: 34 degrees F
  • Warehouse: 69 degrees F

• Relative Humidity (RH):
  • Outside: 29%
  • Warehouse: 34%
  • Dew Point:            35%  @  40 deg F.

• In most cases, mold growth can occur when the relative humidity levels range 65% to 99% in a given environment.  However, when cold outdoor temperatures exist, conditions can form where even low amounts of humidity can condense on poorly insulated surfaces.  This “dew point” is where water vapor becomes liquid and provides the conditions needed for mold growth to begin.

• Carbon Monoxide (CO):
  • Outside: 0 ppm
  • Warehouse: 0 ppm

• Ideally, CO concentrations indoors are expected to be the same as CO concentrations outdoors. CO concentrations are typically around one to two parts per million parts of air (ppm) or less. Concentrations are usually lower in rural areas. Finding CO concentration higher indoors than outdoors indicates an indoor source of CO, or a source very close to your home.
• Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas often formed in the process of incomplete combustion of organic substances, including fuels. CO can cause serious health problems.

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2):
  • Outside: 387 ppm
  • Warehouse: 779 ppm

• The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends a concentration of CO2 no more than 700 ppm above the ambient air (outside) concentration in order to minimize human odors and maintain comfort.

• Carbon dioxide is a colorless, odorless gas. It is produced when any carbon-based material used for fuel (coal, oil, wood, etc.) is burned. When fuel burning is not a factor, the main sources are tobacco smoke, human and animal respiration. Carbon dioxide is given off whenever we exhale. Cars, trucks, industrial equipment, and burning fuel for power are some of the major contributors to CO₂ in the air.

General Notes:

• Warehouse appeared generally clean and organized throughout.

Observations:

• Water and mold damage along north wall was inspected.
• Approximately 1/4 of roof insulation had been previously pulled prior to inspection.
• Largest visible area of mold growth and damage was in the NE corner nearest to skylight.
• Area of roof decking with mold damage contained excessive moisture levels of 80% and above.
• FSK facing was pulled away to inspect underlying insulation and roof decking.
• Insulation behind FSK facing was wet to the touch and was stuck to the roof decking due to moisture.
• Several locations were noted where visible mold growth was found under the insulation.
• A strong, musty odor was present each time the FSK facing was pulled away to expose the underlying insulation.
• Each area where roof decking was inspected, visible mold growth was found in isolated patches as well as active condensation being present on OSB roof decking.
• Environix conducted random inspections of insulation and roof decking throughout the warehouse.
• Each inspection of the roof decking revealed moderate to heavy condensation and moisture content levels between 40% and 99%.
• Visible mold growth was also noted in the majority of random roof decking inspections, though it should be noted that visible mold growth was not found in every location.  (See attached photos in section above)
• Spotty mold growth appears consistently in all locations inspected.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Recommend all FSK facing and insulation be removed from ceiling cavity throughout warehouse.
• Recommend roof decking be below 25% moisture content before remediation is conducted.
• Recommend treating roof decking with a two-stage, chemical treatment to kill and encapsulate all mold growth.

• Recommend consulting a commercial insulation contractor to design an insulation system that is specific to the needs of your company