Florida residents, whether you are being required to do a mold inspection by your lender, whether your home inspector discover mold or moisture issues during the initial inspection and he is recommending a further investigation or you just want to be informed about the overall indoor air quality and conditions of the property regarding mold or moisture issues, having a mold inspection done by a reputable company is one of the smartest decisions and greatest investments you can make prior to purchasing a commercial or residential property.

Our main objective is to properly inform you and document the real condition of the property as well as to provide you with the detailed information regarding present and or former issuers as well as to prevent future moisture conditions that would eventually lead to mold growth and give you the tools you need to avoid making a bad investment or properly negotiate closing deals while providing you with sufficient evidence from reputable laboratories and professional inspectors using state of the art equipment such as thermal infra-red cameras, particle counters, digital boroscopes and much more.

Please give us a call to find out about our pre-inspection specials.

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is holding public stakeholder meetings throughout the state in order to gain input on implementing its mold licensing law.

By attending one of the meetings listed below, ACAC certificants can influence the development of regulations governing mold investigations and mold remediation that go into effect on June 1, 2010.

In particular, the DBPR is being urged to consider requiring independent, accredited certifications (such as those offered by ACAC) as prerequisites for licensing under the new law. Such a requirement would protect the public interest while enhancing the status of Council-certified professionals.

Please consider attending one of these stakeholder meetings and supporting the use of independent, accredited certifications:

Tallahassee — September 29, 2009
9:00 – 12:00 Home Inspectors
1:30 – 4:30 Mold Inspectors
State Capitol, Senate Bldg #301

Jacksonville — October 1, 2009
9:00 – 12:00 Home Inspectors
1:30 – 4:30 Mold Inspectors
Florida State College at Jacksonville, Kent Campus
Main Auditorium, Room F128
3939 Roosevelt Blvd., Jacksonville, Fla 32205

Orlando — October 13, 2009
9:00 – 12:00 Home Inspectors
1:30 – 4:30 Mold Inspectors
UF/IFAS Orange County Cooperative Extension Office/Center
Auditorium
6021 S. Conway Rd., Orlando, FL 32812

Ft. Lauderdale — October 14, 2009
9:00 – 12:00 Home Inspectors
1:30 – 4:30 Mold Inspectors
Margate Commission Chambers
Margate City Hall Complex
6790 Margate Blvd., Margate, FL 33063

Sorce: American Council for Accredited Certification

INTRO

Traditionally, mold damage has been covered where it results from a covered peril, such as a broken pipe, a storm, or fire suppression efforts, but not where it occurs gradually over time due to wear and tear. However, public awareness and scientific knowledge of the health hazards of mold have increased dramatically. Techniques for cleaning up mold have become more sophisticated and expensive. As a result, insurers are panicking, refusing to cover mold claims under existing policies and rewriting their policy forms to exclude all coverage for mold, regardless of origin. This in turn is creating a national crisis. We believes that a combination of governmental regulation, proper underwriting and competitive forces in the private insurance marketplace will remedy the situation.

Meanwhile, here’s what to do if you think your property may have a mold condition: (more…)

Senate Bill 2234, which provides for licensure and regulation of mold assessors and remediators, becomes effective on July 1, 2010. Senate Bill 2234 does not provide for a Board of Mold Assessors and Remediators. The program will be administered by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Prior to the effective date of the bill, the department will begin its implementation process, because rulemaking is necessary to establish education, examination and experience criteria.

Implementation: Over the summer, we will begin working with stakeholders to establish a regulatory structure for this profession. The department will work with its stakeholders to explore every feasible option, including certification examinations offered by nationally recognized organizations. Our desired goal is to have all requirements in place, including application forms and Web information, by July 1, 2010, so that we may begin accepting applications for licensure on that date. However, please bear in mind that the rulemaking process may be subject to challenges by interested parties that may require workshops or hearings. The department will ensure that all affected parties have ample opportunity for grandfathering or licensure prior to taking any enforcement activity.

Grandfathering: With regard to grandfathering, Section 468.8423, Florida Statutes, provides that persons who perform mold assessment or mold remediation “may qualify to be licensed by the department…if the person meets the licensure requirements of this part by July 1, 2010.” As written, there appears to be no clear distinction between a grandfather applicant and applicants who have no prior mold experience. Part of our work this summer will be to work with stakeholders to develop recommendations to the Legislature to clarify the standards applicable to businesses who have historically provided this service.

Enforcement: After the law becomes effective, the department will ensure that all affected parties have ample opportunity for grandfathering or licensure prior to taking any enforcement activity.

Source: MyFlorida.com

Indoor mold has been around for centuries, even the Old Testament of the Bible mentioned inspection and removal of mold. Why all the concern now?

There are many reasons. The first is the fact that the construction industry has changed dramatically in the past 40 years. Architects and builders are more focused on conserving energy and are constructing homes to be airtight. As a result, proper ventilation of these homes is almost non-existent.

Before air conditioning came about, we ventilated our homes through open windows. Today, a majority of homes rely on air conditioning systems to do that same job. Unfortunately it doesn’t work that way.
Most residential air conditioning systems are able to remove moisture but do not bring in any outside air. These systems circulate and cool the same indoor air over and over again resulting in improper ventilation for most homes.

On an average, 90 percent of the general public’s time is spent indoors. Studies have shown that indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. The American Society of Home Inspectors says that “up to 38 percent of all homes have a mold and fungus growth due to elevated moisture levels.” Studies have shown a rise in health problems resulting from mold exposure.
Mold grows almost anywhere there is water or elevated moisture. In the right conditions, it can start growing within 24 to 48 hours and is often difficult to notice. Mold can grow behind walls and ceilings, leaky appliances, in attics, and even in your a/c system. People believe that if it can’t be seen, it is not there, however most of the time this is untrue. If you see any mold growth in your home, there is likely to be more that is hidden.

Mold releases microscopic spores impossible to see with the naked eye. These airborne spores can trigger many physical reactions depending on the type of spore and quantity inhaled. Even a relatively small amount of mold spores could adversely affect infants, children, immune-compromised patients, pregnant women, individuals with existing respiratory conditions and the elderly. Of these thousands of existing molds, some are known as allergens while others produce harmful mycotoxins which could cause serious ailments.

In summary, all molds, in the right conditions and in abundance, are a threat. Inhalation of large quantities of airborne mold spores can cause many health problems.

The purpose of a mold inspection is to determine the presence of mold spores, identify the kind of mold, determine the amount of spores found are normal or elevated for that environment, and to find the source that caused this mold growth.