Mold can be a hidden hazard in any indoor or outdoor environment. It can cause a range of health problems. These can sometimes be very minor, like simply being irritated because of an unpleasant smell. However, mold can also cause major health problems which could lead to hospitalization and even death.

The minor irritations and annoyances caused by mold are many. Usually the symptoms of mold allergies are related to breathing, with issues in the nose, throat, and lungs. Sometimes these symptoms show up in other body systems, such as the skin.

The most common irritations are explained briefly below. If one or more people are experiencing these symptoms in your home or work environment, and you cannot trace the cause to other common allergens, it is time to hire an expert to search for hidden mold in the walls or ceiling.

Breathing-related reactions to mold:

• Runny nose: a sudden continuous stream of mucus from your nose is a common sign of mold allergy
• A sore throat: usually also caused by mucus running down the back of the throat, the allergic sore throat shows up several hours after initial exposure
• Sinusitis: this inflammation of the sinuses usually shows up as painful pressure beneath your cheeks is an allergic expansion of the lining of your sinuses
• Wheezing: mold reactions can also cause bronchial swelling in your breathing tube or lungs, which can cause a wheezing sound as you breathe
• Coughing: allergic coughing is not deep or productive. Instead, these are small, constant coughs as your breathing system works to clear excess mucus from your windpipe
• Sneezing: your body tries to clear the allergen and the mucus from your nose and mouth by sneezing

Non-breathing-related reactions to mold:

• Headache: this is commonly triggered by sinusitis, where swelling in uncommon places strains the body’s reactions to the mold
• Mild rash: rashes can show up in different places in different people, but are most common in areas of exposed skin, where direct contact has been made with mold in the air
• Watery eyes, or red eyes: mold in the air can also come into contact with your eyes, and your bodily defenses will make your eyes weepy and they will turn red with irritation

If you suspect mold is present, take action

Of course, all of these reactions are worse if the person experiencing them has underlying conditions such as asthma, eczema, or any of a range of auto immune diseases.

If you are experiencing these symptoms regularly, check your environment for the presence of mold, and consult your doctor to address the symptoms until the mold can be removed.

When choosing a waterproofing company for your residential or commercial application, there are four important areas to review. You want to make sure your builder or contractor has a wide range of experience, the products used are backed with a warranty, the installers are certified in their work, and that they address the water problem with several solutions.

Making sure you have the best answers in all four areas will help guarantee that your final project is not only beautiful in the short run, but is functional and dry for years to come.

Commercial and residential experience

Do you want the waterproofing company you choose to have as much experience as possible. While being a specialist may sound ideal, the reality is that experience itself is the best teacher. Companies that work in residential and commercial sites simply have more experience keeping water away from buildings.

You want to select a builder or contractor who will bring all of their experience to your project. The foundation work to keep your building dry for a generation is no place to cut corners.

While residential and commercial applications are different, the enemy is the same, and all of the experience matters.

Products backed with a warranty

Experts in protecting foundations know that some products work better than others. Let’s face it, when you’re building a house you don’t want to choose the product that your cousin Irv says will probably work.

You want to choose a company that only uses products with a warranty. This means they have tested the product and are willing to stand behind it.

It also means that if something goes wrong, this company and this warranty will protect you from some or all of the financial liability to make it right.

Certified and trained installers

In water control, there is no space for error. Covering 99% of an exposed wall means that this wall is susceptible to water infiltration and damage.

For this reason it is crucial that the contractor or builder you choose has installers that are certified and trained as much as the industry can provide certification and training.

The company you hire should be quick to point out their training and certification experience.

Offer several solutions

The reality is that protecting a foundation or other exposed area of a building from water means implementing multiple solutions that work in concert. The company you choose should offer to do more than one solution.

Instead of merely covering one side of one wall with a product, your contractor or company should talk with you about redirecting the water before it ever gets to that space.

This could include drainage, sloping, water runoff solutions, as well as waterproofing treatments for the foundation itself.

If the company you choose provide satisfactory answers in all four of these areas, you can be confident that you will be getting the highest quality waterproofing available.

A common nightmare for builders is the discovery of mold in a recent project. The cost for mold abatement can be immense in both time and money.

Mold abatement can cost up to $25 per square foot. However, this cost is not limited to the areas covered with visible mold. Often contracts require the builder to do abatement in areas adjacent to observed mold, as mold in one location indicates that the environment was right for mold to grow elsewhere. This means that costs can multiply quickly.

The inspections themselves – requested by the client in advance and required by clients and the law after the work is completed – can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

And there are even cost beyond time and money. When mold is discovered on a construction site or in a project done by a company, that company’s reputation takes a hit.

So your best investment is in prevention.

Prevent mold by keeping water and humidity out

To prevent mold, select contractors who are trained and certificated in using the best methods to prevent leaks, drainage, and trapped vapor. These contractors will talk to you about their training and demonstrate certification in best practices to prevent mold.

More importantly, they will take proactive steps to mitigate the conditions in which mold can grow in the first place.

Keeping a foundation dry through effective drainage and water management is important. Also,  using the best waterproofing materials helps to ensure that water that makes contact with your building will be kept out.

Prevent mold by ensuring adequate ventilation

Of course, moisture can get into a building site in lots of different ways. The foundation is a common route as ground water or rainwater finds its way through the tiniest cracks. However, on construction sites, moisture is just as likely to build up from rainwater blowing in through unsecured tarps or where the roof is not yet installed.

In these cases, waterproofing materials alone are not enough. Care must be taken to allow adequate ventilation. In an open construction site this typically is not a problem as ventilation occurs naturally where there are no windows or walls. However in more constricted areas builders choose to add temporary ventilation until HVAC units are installed, inspected, and fully functional. This helps ensure that water won’t build up, leaving a place for mold to grow.

Prevent mold by using products that fight mold

Construction and waterproofing experts are also aware that there are products they can use that fight mold. This includes paints and stains created with fungicides in their formula. A final step in a project that involved a lot of humidity can involve a specific treatment with a fungicide to make sure that no mold was allowed to fester as a potential time bomb.

When you identify a mold problem, you need to take immediate action. This can involve trying an over-the-counter product, using dishwashing gloves, and perhaps sponges and wipes you have under your sink.

But is this the best way to do it?

In many cases, this immediate action will address most of the problem. However, often where there is visible mold, there is invisible mold and related problems. If you are a homeowner or renter, this might be enough. If you are a landlord, and you have more than just your own health and well-being in mind, you might choose to hire someone for mold abatement.

That person should be a certified and trained mold abatement specialist.

What is a mold remediation certification?

In every state there are expectations and laws for the procedures to remove mold. This is because mold can be dangerous not just to the resident or occupant of the area where it was found, but to the person(s) removing it.

This training includes specialized instruction on the proper tools and methods to address various kinds of mold.

Mold remediation certification includes training and identifying types of mold. There are some common types of mold that are less harmful than others. Sure, all kinds of mold are undesirable, but some are actually dangerous to human health.

Knowing the difference between regular and hazardous mold is an important part of the training and certification process.

Additionally, there are common household products that are often used for mold abatement. But not every over-the-counter product is the right product. Some only address part of the problem.

And there are some molds and situations where the right response is removing everything that showed signs of mold, so the answer is construction, not treatment. Knowing the difference is part of the training.

Additionally, experts are trained on how to treat the contamination without spreading mold spores and otherwise exposing people to further concerns.

Finally, understanding the laws and regulations in your area is another part of the training. There are specific requirements for how to do mold abatement, and whoever owns the property is responsible for following these rules completely.

If you are seeking to get mold abatement certification, or are seeking someone who has it, you can start by checking out CHC Training, where they offer state-by-state information about taking and completing the training.

You can also verify that the person you have contacted to do the work has this certification at their site.

The safest option is the best option!

As a landlord or a renter, you need to know the laws around mold in rental properties. Having this information can help keep you safe and legally protected.

Most states do not have laws about mold and mold control specifically. However, laws around maintaining a safe and healthy habitat can apply to certain types of mold. Mold, in addition to causing an allergic reactions in many people, can also be hazardous to people’s health whether or not they have an allergy.

You can learn more here about mold and mold-related concerns.

In general, the law obligates a landlord to keep a safe and healthy premise for a renter. This does not mean that the landlord is responsible for cleaning up a renter’s mess while the renter still occupies the property. This means that mold created by activities of the renter are not necessarily the landlord’s responsibility.

The renter’s responsibility: If a renter fails to do routine cleaning, such as cleaning tub and tile in a bathroom, or drying up spills from regular washroom or kitchen activities, the landlord is not obligated to address those problems for the renter. It is the occupant’s responsibility for routine cleaning.

The renter must also report mold or concerns promptly in order to trigger the landlord’s responsibility. For instance, if a leaky roof creates a moldy spot in a bedroom ceiling, a renter should not wait to report it. Claiming that a spot has been present for months in a space where the landlord is unlikely to see it does not obligate the landlord.

The landlord’s responsibility: A landlord must respond promptly to a renter’s concerns about leaking water or mold spots on ceilings or walls. Leaks from pipes or exterior water are not the renter’s responsibility. These types of concerns must be addressed the same day that that they are brought up, or as soon as reasonably possible.

The landlord should also do a visual check of the property periodically. This can happen on a pre-scheduled date, or it can happen organically when they are called into a space to work on a reported problem. For instance, if the landlord must repair the washing machine, that’s a great time to do a visual inspection of the washroom and other adjacent spaces, and bring concerns to the renter’s attention.

This searchable database can help you learn more about the laws in your state. Protect yourself by knowing and following these legal guidelines.

Plan your home or building design with elements that are just as environmentally efficient as they are cost-efficient
Creating and using products that are sustainable is important. As the “Go Green” movement remains in the front of many minds, it is especially in the minds of home designers as they search for products that are just as environmentally efficient as they are cost-efficient.

“There are a lot of steps that go into building a custom home,” said a designer at Goldleaf Designs, a custom home builder in South Jersey, adding, “it’s important to make choices that can last a lifetime.” Using the right waterproofing, drainage, and barrier systems, you can make that possible in your custom home or building design.

Below are some important design elements and different versions of them to keep in mind that are reliable, safe, affordable, and most importantly, environmentally friendly.

1. A Green Waterproofing Membrane System

A waterproofing membrane system keeps a home or building safe from damage from weather and natural wear and tear that comes with age. These underground membranes are usually comprised of specialized rubber or other hydrophobic materials.

These waterproofing membranes are ideal for exterior concrete waterproofing and will protect any foundation or basement prone to water damage.

1. Armor Membrane 363 Commercial Waterproofing Membrane

   Typically used in commercial settings, this membrane’s elasticity moves with the structure of the building and will not become brittle or crumble. As the building gets wet and impacted with various levels of moisture, this membrane will prevent any damage.

2. Mar-flex 5000 Waterproofing Membrane

   This easy to install membrane is great for custom residential or commercial designs. This membrane is incredibly durable and protects the foundation like no other membrane.While resisting freezing and chemical damage, this membrane is easy to install and remains flexible.

3. Fusion UV Waterproofing Membrane

   This durable and protective membrane is a smart choice for designers and home/building owners alike. This specific membrane is easy to handle, install, can be used in any geographical area, and combines advanced UV protection and waterproofing in the membrane design.

   Arguably one of the most high end and technologically advanced products in waterproofing membranes, it comes with a 20-year warranty.

2. A Green Drainage Board

If moisture makes its way into the structure of a home or building, it is likely the building will deteriorate and begin to break down. A simple and affordable way to avoid that is with the installation of a drainage board in your home or building design.

These boards also allow for the conservation of the environment because of the material they are made of along with the channeling of water to prevent water from damaging the grounds around a home or building.

1. Geo-Mat + Drain Roll

   Not only does this product protect the foundation and the waterproofing membrane, but it is also resistant to saline solutions, alkalis, acids, and hydrostatic pressure.

2. GeoMat Drain Roll

   The GeoMat Drain Roll removes water before it can damage the structure of a home or building. The water-channeling design is also made of 100% recycled material, making it even more environmentally friendly.

3. ShockWave Drainage and Insulation Board

   Unaffected by soil or water exposure, this drainage system and insulation board provide outstanding water absorption and protection.

4. Drain & Dry Drainage Board

   Furthering the goal of environmental savviness, this product is energy conscious and combines thermal insulation properties. Drain and Dry boards are applied shortly after the membrane and before backfilling, making it an important part of custom home design especially in terms of keeping that design protected.

3. A Green Air Barrier System

Living up to its name, each air barrier system protects a home or building against outside air; in addition, these barriers also protect against vapor and rain.

1. ArmorAir Barrier 1200p

   This barrier is designed to stop air infiltration and exfiltration in a home or building to provide longevity of that property.

   In terms of the environment, this air barrier reduces energy costs by eliminating air leakage and mold growth.

2. ArmorAir Barrier 1800i

   Similar to the ArmorAir Barrier 1200p, this air barrier does the same things, just on a larger scale.

   With a seamless monolithic membrane, this air barrier can also be applied to damp concrete and seals nicely around brick.

With all of these state of the art designs, there are countless options and opportunities to custom design a home or building in a costly manner while also not breaking the bank. Each high quality and environmentally-savvy product is easy to install and has an ample amount of benefits. To learn more about the specifics of each product, visit the product page.

Jennifer Bell is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey.