If you live in the Phoenix metro area (Anthem Az, Avondale Az, Apache Junction Az, Buckeye Az, Carefree Az, Casa Grande, Cave Creek, Chandler Az, Fountain Hills Az, Glendale Az, Giilbert Az, Gold Canyon Az, Maricopa Az, Mesa Az, Paradise Valley Az, Phoenix Az, Queen Creek Az, Scottsdale Az, Tempe Az) and are in need of any professional mold remediation, air quality testing, mold removal services or mold testing services contact F N F Restoration (480) 314-4800. right away. We offer the most affordable prices in the industry and we always guarantee that our quality of work is second to none. We also provide water restoration, water damage removal, water extraction, and flood damage services to the entire Phoenix Az area.
Archive for the ‘Mold Damage Restoration’ Category
Mold Damage Repair and Mold Removal Services
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010Relative Humidity and it’s effects with Mold Growth
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
What is Relative Humidity (RH)?
Relative humidity is defined as the ratio of the water vapor pressure or water vapor content to the saturation vapor pressure or the maximum vapor content at the temperature of the air or gas. The saturation vapor pressure in the air varies with air temperature: the higher the temperature, the more water vapor it can hold. When saturated the relative humidity in the air is 100% RH.
According to the EPA, the relative humidity recommended for houses is between 30% and 50%. This level of humidity is not always easy to maintain, especially in certain problem areas of the home. A dehumidifier is often needed in basements and crawlspaces where humidity can be very high. However, in the winter months, the use of the furnace may contribute to most parts of your home suffering from the opposite problems: a lack of humidity. Therefore, monitoring RH levels in your home will allow you to maintain all areas it at the recommended levels and deal properly with seasonal variations.
Examples of How Relative Humidity Changes Occur
On a 30 degree F day with an outdoor RH of 60%, the relative humidity indoors can drop to levels as low as 15% when the air is heated to 70 degrees F (as the air is heated it expands giving it the capacity to hold more moisture. If moisture is not added to the air as it is heated the RH level may drop considerably). If the outdoor temperature is 10 degrees F, the indoor relative humidity may fall to 8% or less. These are extreme levels of dryness. As a comparison, the average relative humidity in the Sahara Desert is 25%.
Since warm air can hold more water vapor than cold air, the relative humidity of the air can be changed by simply changing its temperature. If in the winter, outside air at 20 degrees F and 65% RH is drawn inside and heated to 70F without humidification, its RH drops to about 10%. In summer, outside air at 70F and 60% RH flows into a basement at 60F causing an increase in RH up to 82%. In Phoenix Az, Mesa Az, Tempe Az, Scottsdale Az, Chandler Az, Peoria Az, Glendale Az, Avondale Az, Queen Creek Az, Cave Creek Az, Carefree Az, and Gilbert Az the temperatures are very warm so this can have a direct effect on the relative humidity.
You can see from the above examples why it is important to measure and control relative humidity levels throughout the entire home or building, since the humidity levels in the air may change drastically through the heating and cooling processes. These processes can then lead to extreme highs or lows in the relative humidity levels indoors. Humidity is an important factor when it comes to mold growth. If you believe you have a mold growth problem contact F N F Restoration for an inspection. We will be able to determine if you need mold remediation or mold removal services. If you need either mold removal or mold remediation services it is recommended that we conduct a mold test to determine the full extent of the mold damage we will be working with.
If you suspect unhealthy conditions in your home due to humidity being too high or too low, it is prudent to utilize a tool known as a digital thermo-hygrometer (a.k.a. moisture meter or humidity sensor). This handy instrument digitally calculates temperature and measures indoor relative humidity levels. It can store the minimum and maximum temperature and relative humidity as well as provide up-to-date readings of the present conditions. Using a thermo-hygrometer is the best way to learn about and understand your indoor environment. This unit allows you to evaluated the RH levels in your home and understand the RH patterns, such as highs and lows, that exist.
If you do have excessive humidity, and see evidence of a mold problem (Signs of a Mold Problem), then you may need an air purifier to remove mold spores from the air.
Ionizers are typically better than air filters, since they can remove smaller particles from the air, and do not rely on particulate passing through them in order to remove them from the air.
Relative Humidity
What is Relative Humidity (RH)?
Relative humidity is defined as the ratio of the water vapor pressure or water vapor content to the saturation vapor pressure or the maximum vapor content at the temperature of the air or gas. The saturation vapor pressure in the air varies with air temperature: the higher the temperature, the more water vapor it can hold. When saturated the relative humidity in the air is 100% RH.
According to the EPA, the relative humidity recommended for houses is between 30% and 50%. This level of humidity is not always easy to maintain, especially in certain �problem� areas of the home. A dehumidifier is often needed in basements and crawlspaces where humidity can be very high. However, in the winter months, the use of the furnace may contribute to most parts of your home suffering from the opposite problems: a lack of humidity. Therefore, monitoring RH levels in your home will allow you to maintain all areas it at the recommended levels and deal properly with seasonal variations.
Examples of How Relative Humidity Changes Occur
- On a 30 degree F day with an outdoor RH of 60%, the relative humidity indoors can drop to levels as low as 15% when the air is heated to 70 degrees F (as the air is heated it expands giving it the capacity to hold more moisture. If moisture is not added to the air as it is heated the RH level may drop considerably). If the outdoor temperature is 10 degrees F, the indoor relative humidity may fall to 8% or less. These are extreme levels of dryness. As a comparison, the average relative humidity in the Sahara Desert is 25%.
- Since warm air can hold more water vapor than cold air, the relative humidity of the air can be changed by simply changing its temperature. If in the winter, outside air at 20 degrees F and 65% RH is drawn inside and heated to 70F without humidification, its RH drops to about 10%. In summer, outside air at 70F and 60% RH flows into a basement at 60F causing an increase in RH up to 82%.
You can see from the above examples why it is important to measure and control relative humidity levels throughout the entire home or building, since the humidity levels in the air may change drastically through the heating and cooling processes. These processes can then lead to extreme highs or lows in the relative humidity levels indoors.
If you suspect unhealthy conditions in your home due to humidity being too high or too low, it is prudent to utilize a tool known as a digital thermo-hygrometer (a.k.a. moisture meter or humidity sensor). This handy instrument digitally calculates temperature and measures indoor relative humidity levels. It can store the minimum and maximum temperature and relative humidity as well as provide up-to-date readings of the present conditions. Using a thermo-hygrometer is the best way to learn about and understand your indoor environment. This unit allows you to evaluated the RH levels in your home and understand the RH patterns, such as highs and lows, that exist.
If you do have excessive humidity, and see evidence of a mold problem (Signs of a Mold Problem), then you may need an air purifier to remove mold spores from the air.
Ionizers are typically better than air filters, since they can remove smaller particles from the air, and do not rely on particulate passing through them in order to remove them from the air.
A Better Understanding of Mold, Mold Growth, and Mold Prevention
Saturday, December 12th, 2009
Moisture and Mold Prevention and Control Tips
- When water leaks or spills occur indoors – ACT QUICKLY. If wet or damp materials or areas are dried 24-48 hours after a leak or spill happens, in most cases mold will not grow.
- Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.
- Make sure the ground slopes away from the building foundation, so that water does not enter or collect around the foundation.
- Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly.
- Keep indoor humidity low. If possible, keep indoor humidity below 60 percent (ideally between 30 and 50 percent) relative humidity. Relative humidity can be measured with a moisture or humidity meter, a small, inexpensive ($10-$50) instrument available at many hardware stores.
- If you see condensation or moisture collecting on windows, walls or pipes ACT QUICKLY to dry the wet surface and reduce the moisture/water source. Condensation can be a sign of high humidity.
Actions that will help to reduce humidity
- Vent appliances that produce moisture, such as clothes dryers, stoves, and kerosene heaters to the outside where possible. (Combustion appliances such as stoves and kerosene heaters produce water vapor and will increase the humidity unless vented to the outside.)
- Use air conditioners and/or de-humidifiers when needed.
- Run the bathroom fan or open the window when showering. Use exhaust fans or open windows whenever cooking, running the dishwasher or dishwashing, etc.
Actions that will help prevent condensation
- Reduce the humidity.
- Increase ventilation or air movement by opening doors and/or windows, when practical. Use fans as needed.
- Cover cold surfaces, such as cold water pipes, with insulation.
- Increase air temperature.
Testing or Sampling for Mold
Is sampling for mold needed? In most cases, if visible mold growth is present, sampling is unnecessary. Since no EPA or other federal limits have been set for mold or mold spores, sampling cannot be used to check a building’s compliance with federal mold standards. Surface sampling may be useful to determine if an area has been adequately cleaned or remediated. Sampling for mold should be conducted by professionals who have specific experience in designing mold sampling protocols, sampling methods, and interpreting results. Sample analysis should follow analytical methods recommended by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), or other professional organizations.
Mold Cleanup and Mold Remediation
Friday, December 11th, 2009Mold Cleanup
Who should do the cleanup depends on a number of factors. One consideration is the size of the mold problem. If the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet (less than roughly a 3 ft. by 3 ft. patch), in most cases, you can handle the job yourself, following the guidelines below. However:
- If there has been a lot of water damage, and/or mold growth covers more than 10 square feet, consult EPA’s Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document is applicable to other building types.
- If you choose to hire a contractor (or other professional service provider) to do the cleanup, make sure the contractor has experience cleaning up mold. Check references and ask the contractor to follow the recommendations in EPA’s Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, the guidelines of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygenists (ACGIH), or other guidelines from professional or government organizations.
- If you suspect that the heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system may be contaminated with mold (it is part of an identified moisture problem, for instance, or there is mold near the intake to the system), consult EPA’s guide Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? before taking further action.
- Do not run the HVAC system if you know or suspect that it is contaminated with mold – it could spread mold throughout the building.
- If the water and/or mold damage was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, then call in a professional who has experience cleaning and fixing buildings damaged by contaminated water.
- If you have health concerns, consult a health professional before starting cleanup.
