Mold Scam # 1: Mold Inspectors Who Do Mold Removal
Mold Scam # 2: Free Post-Remediation Clearance Testing
Mold Scam # 3: Using Heat to Remediate Mold
Mold Scam # 4: Ozone Generators
Mold Scam # 5: House Cooking
Mold Scam # 6: Encapsulating Mold Growth
Mold Scam # 7: Mold Killing Products
Mold Scam # 8: Off-Site Sampling

 

How To Avoid This Mold Scam:
Most people prefer to deal with one contractor for everything because its convenient. But when it comes to mold, that convenience can end up costing you thousands of dollars in bogus repair work. It is simply not worth the risk. Mold inspectors should never profit from what they find, either directly by doing the removal themselves, or indirectly by referring work to their friends for a kick-back. The only way to ensure you will get an unbiased inspection report and avoid this mold scam is to hire a Certified Mold Inspector who does not perform mold removal work.
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Mold Scam # 2: Free Post-Remediation Clearance Testing
The purpose of post-remediation testing is to make sure the contractor did his job correctly. The only way to confirm that a mold removal job was successful is by a conducting a visual inspection and moisture assessment of the construction materials along with air sample comparisons between the work area and a non-work area (preferably outdoors). This test should be performed after the remediation work is completed, but before any new construction materials are installed such as insulation, drywall, flooring, etc. For more info on post-remediation clearance testing call 1-800-369-8532. 

WHO SHOULD PERFORM POST-REMEDIATION TESTING?
Post-remediation testing should always be performed by a disinterested third-party mold inspector with no connection to the remediation contractor. Once mold contractors finish a job they are eager to get paid and move on to the next job. Since most mold removal jobs are performed for a set fee, quoted in advance, they cannot charge you more for additional work if the clearance test fails. Any costs he incurs from that point on cut directly into his profit. For that reason some mold contractors will offer free post-remediation testing, which may seem like a good idea at first since the cost of testing is typically your responsibility. But what are the chances that your contractor is going fail his own test?

How To Avoid This Mold Scam:
The only way to keep from getting scammed on this one is to not allow your contractor to do his own clearance test. Hire an un-biased third-party mold inspector for reliable verification that the job was done right and you won't have to do it over again. Remember, each clearance test can cost $200 to $300, possibly even more depending on the size of the job. Each time the test fails it must be done over again. Telling your contractor ahead of time that you intend to use a third-party inspector for clearance testing will provide plenty of inspiration and motivation to get right the first time.
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Mold Scam # 3:   Using Heat To Remediate Mold
THE GOAL OF REMEDIATION IS NEVER TO KILL MOLD - IT IS ALWAYS TO REMOVE IT
Some contractors claim that applying heat to a structure is an effective way to remediate mold. This is simply not true.

Mold has two primary attributes; one is the visible mold growth that you can see on walls, ceilings, etc. The other is the microscopic mold spores that you can't see, floating in the air. While it is possible to stop mold growth and even kill mold spores by applying intense heat, dead mold spores have the exact same physical effects on people and animals as alive mold spores do. Airborne mold spores - dead or alive - are Allergenic, Pathogenic, and Toxigenic. When inhaled, dead mold spores can trigger asthma attacks, enflame air passages, cause bronchial infections, and make you sick in many other ways.

Furthermore, there is no evidence to support the claim that heat treating a house will kill ALL the mold. The small amount of research that has been done with current heat treatment technologies has been done only in laboratories. Even if killing mold was the goal of remediation (and it is not), there is no documentation available that supports any claim that whole-house heat treatments actually kills ALL hidden mold. In fact, some studies indicate that hidden growth inside walls is still culturable (alive) after heat treatment.

Traditional Remediation Methods Are Best:
Remember: the goal of remediation is not to "kill or treat" mold, it is to remove it. If mold is not removed, it has not been removed - it is still in your house. Don't be fooled by the latest tricks, shticks, and scams. Current industry standards for traditional mold abatement procedures are still the most effective for eliminating indoor mold problems and without question the most cost effective in the long run.

Traditional Drying Methods Are Best:
Heat treatment technologies can help dry out a structure, provided sufficient ventilation is factored into the process into remove the water vapor resulting from the heat. However, the potential damage that high heat can do to plastic wiring insulation, plastic plumbing and other building materials is not worth the risk. In the final analysis, traditional methods of drying, such as dehumidifiers and fans, are far more proficient at drying out buildings without subjecting the entire structure to the thermal stress caused by high heat treatments.

How To Avoid This Mold Scam:
If you want to avoid exposure to molds that can effect your health, you must physically remove all mold growth (dead or alive) inside your building, not heat it up. If mold is not removed, it has not been remediated, and is likely to begin growing again when moisture from humidity or water intrusion reoccurs. The best way to avoid this scam is to stick with traditional industry standard remediation protocols that focus on removing indoor mold growth, not killing it or treating it.
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Mold Scam # 4: Ozone Generators
THE AMOUNT OF OZONE IT TAKES TO KILL MOLD CAN KILL YOU TOO!
Many sellers of ozone generators have jumped on the mold bandwagon. Resellers and dealers of ozone generators make false statements about the ability of ozone air purifiers to kill mold. False advertisements of ozone devices often use misleading terms such as "energized oxygen" and "pure air" suggesting that ozone is a healthy kind of oxygen. The fact is, ozone is a toxic gas with vastly different chemical and toxicological properties from oxygen that can make you very sick. Claims that ozone generators sold as air purifiers are effective at controlling indoor air pollution are simply not true.

Several federal agencies have established health standards or recommendations to limit human exposure to ozone. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established an ozone level of .05 ppm (parts per million) as the maximum level allowable in an enclosed spaces. Relatively low amounts of ozone can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath, and, throat irritation. Ozone may also worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and compromise the ability of the body to fight respiratory infections. Exercise during exposure to ozone causes a greater amount of ozone to be inhaled, and increases the risk of harmful respiratory effects (US EPA, 1996a, 1996b).

Some manufacturers and resellers of Ozone Generators sold as air purifiers claim that these products help to control mold. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, however, (EPA) these products may very well add to indoor air pollution and even make indoor mold conditions worse.

The EPA web site states that:

* available scientific evidence shows that ozone has little potential to remove indoor air contaminants

* ozone is not effective at removing viruses, bacteria, mold, or other biological pollutants

* ozone is not effective at permanently removing odor-causing chemicals

In fact, results from controlled studies show that some ozone generators produce unsafe concentrations of ozone even when a user follows the manufacturer’s operating instructions.

How To Avoid This Mold Scam:
Buyer Beware! Beware of misleading advertising claims stating or implying that a particular brand of ozone generator is "EPA APPROVED". Several brands of ozone generators have EPA establishment numbers on their packaging. This number helps EPA identify the specific facility that produces the product.

THE DISPLAY OF THIS NUMBER DOES NOT IMPLY EPA ENDORSEMENT OR SUGGEST IN ANY WAY THAT EPA HAS FOUND THE PRODUCT TO BE EITHER SAFE OR EFFECTIVE.
The EPA does not certify air cleaning devices, recommend air cleaning devices or endorse manufacturers of air cleaning devices. For more information from the EPA regarding the use or effectiveness of ozone generators, please visit their web site at: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html 
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Mold Scam # 5:  House Cooking
MAKING BAD CONDITIONS WORSE
"House cooking" is another old scam used by mold inspectors who are also in the mold removal business. This scam is designed to purposely create the worst possible air test results by forcing extremely high levels of mold and dust into the air before taking a sample. Then - after you see the "horrific test results", they scare you into quickly signing an expensive remediation contract. Here's how it works:

First the inspector shuts all the doors and windows. Then he turns on the furnace (or air conditioner), ceiling fans, etc. full blast to grossly exaggerate the number of mold spores in the air before taking samples. Some will even go so far as to turn on floor fans, fluff up couch pillows, shake out rugs - and anything else they can do to get as much mold into the air as possible. Then they use fear mongering statements and tactics when the test results come back to make you believe you must make a decision to start remediation immediately. Not knowing any better, you sign the abatement contract because - after all - they ARE the professionals.

One of the objectives of an air test is to determine if there is any difference between the indoor air and the outdoor air, in terms of mold spore levels and mold types. Therefore, closing the doors and windows before sampling is the proper way to perform an air test because it separates the air. Turning on the HVAC system is not a scam in and of itself. But there should be a valid cause for doing so and it should never be on for more than 20 minutes prior to sampling. Anything more than that, including running fans and blowers, vacuuming, fluffing up furnishing, etc., is considered a deliberate attempt to make the indoor air look worse than it actually is under normal living conditions.

How To Avoid This Mold Scam:
The best way to prepare for testing is to close all doors and windows 6 to 8 hours before testing. If any red flags or suspect conditions are detected in the visual inspection, the inspector should sample from that area. If no suspect conditions are detected, the inspector may choose to collect a sample from a central location or run the HVAC system for 20 minutes, turn it off, then collect the sample approximately 5 feet away from the HVAC cold air return, (the same procedure is proper if the doors and windows are open at the time the inspector arrives).
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Mold Scam # 6: Encapsulating Mold Growth
Encapsulation is a trade term used by mold remediation contractors. It refers to applying an anti-microbial coating to surfaces after the mold is removed, either by spraying, brushing, or rolling. If that sounds like "painting", it is to some degree, but only in terms of application. The difference between painting and encapsulating is this: The purpose of painting a surface is to add a fresh new color to it. The purpose of encapsulating a surface is to seal cracks and crevices that could not be reached in the remediation effort, and - depending on the specific product used - encapsulating can serve as a temporary moisture barrier. Done properly, and for the right reasons, encapsulating itself is not a scam. In fact, in some instances it may even be the only practical option. When encapsulating is a scam is when it is used to cover up a bad job.

REMEMBER!   A successful mold remediation job means;
1) The source of water intrusion that caused the mold growth has been indentified
    and remedied.
2) All mold contaminated materials have been cut out and removed.
3) All salvageable construction materials are completely free of mold and
    thoroughly dried.
4) A Certified Mold Inspector can visually confirm all of the above.
5) The airborne mold spore levels in the work area are verifiably equal to or less
    than outdoors.

All 5 of these requirements determine the success or failure of a remediation. If all 5 are met, there is no reason to encapsulate anything - other than to apply a moisture barrier as a precautionary measure.

How To Avoid This Mold Scam:
When interviewing potential remediation contractors, ask if they intend to encapsulate or apply any anti-microbial or water-proofing coating at any stage of the project.

REMEMBER! KILZ IS NOT AN ENCAPSULANT
1. Say No to KILZ
Some contractors paint the remediated materials with KILZ and call it encapsulation. This is wrong. KILZ is a stain-killing primer paint and nothing more. It has no anti-microbial attributes. It is not a water seal or moisture barrier. Therefore it has absolutely no value as an encapsulant. KILZ is used for one reason only, which is to cover up stains. The goal of mold remediation is to REMOVE mold, not COVER IT with paint. This is a basic fundamental truth that every qualified, certified mold abatement contractor knows. If your contractor intends to use KILZ, you should seriously consider a different contractor.

2. Insist On One of the Following Encapsulant Products
    1. Fiberlock Brand - IAQ 6100 Mold Resistant Coating Clear
    2. Foster Brand - Microbial Encapsulant5Gal Clear

3. Insist on CLEAR Coatings Only
Most legitimate anti-microbial coatings come in clear or solid colors. Some contractors intentionally use solid colors to cover up mold that they leave behind. By insisting on only clear encapsulants you will ensure that shody work doesn't get covered up. Furthermore, if the remediated surfaces are covered with KILZ or a solid color coating, it is not possible for your Inspector to visually confirm that all the mold was removed.
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Mold Scam # 7:  Mold Killing Products
If there is a single "golden rule" when it comes to preventing indoor mold growth it is:  Control The Moisture and You Control The Mold.

If there is a single "golden rule" when it comes to getting rid of indoor mold growth it is:  The Goal of Remediation Is NEVER To KILL or TREAT Mold.
         It Is ALWAYS To REMOVE Mold.

If you understand this fundamental truth, you understand the futility of any product or service that claims to "kill mold" or "treat mold". Any attempt to kill or treat indoor mold growth is simply a temporary band aid to avoid dealing with the only real solution - removing it.

Why Is It So Important To Remove Mold?
1. As mention in Mold Scam #2, indoor mold growth has two faces; the face you see (that is - visible mold growth on surfaces), and the face you don't see (that is - the microscopic mold spores that float in the air).

The face of mold you see can cause property damage ranging from minor discoloration to complete decay, but it must be alive (viable) to do so. But if mold is rendered dormant, dead, or non-viable it can and will become viable again when the conditions are right.

What conditions?
Mold is a living organism. Like all living things, it needs food and water to stay alive. The food source is construction materials, i.e. wood, drywall, carpet, cabinets, etc. The water source can be something major like a plumbing leak or flood, or it can be something as insignificant as 50% + humidity. Either way, mold can resurrect in those ideal conditions and pick up right where it left off.

2. The face of mold you don't see can cause people damage. As mold growth dies and dries out it turns into a super fine dust and becomes airborne. When inhaled, those dead airborne mold spores have the exact same affect on people and animals as live mold spores do. Dead or alive (viable or non-viable) mold spores are Allergenic, Pathogenic, and Toxigenic. Dead or alive they can trigger asthma attacks, enflame air passages, cause bronchial infections, and make people sick in many other ways.

How To Avoid This Mold Scam:
There are countless products and services that claim to kill mold, some of which have already been mentioned on this page, and all of which are a waste of time, energy, and money. Forget about killing mold. Forget about band aids or other quick fix schemes. If you have an indoor mold problem, have it properly removed and be done with it. Do it right and you'll do it once. Do it wrong and you'll do it over and over.

Mold Scam # 8 :  Off-Site Sampling
Like other scams perpetuated by mold inspectors who are also in the remediation business, off-site sampling is the most blatant form of deliberate mold fraud. It works like this:

The inspector keeps a shed in his back yard where he stores wet, moldy construction materials such as drywall, wood, carpet, etc. Since mold flourishes in dark, damp environments with poor ventilation, the materials in the shed are periodically sprayed with water to ensure optimal mold growth conditions. Before coming to your property to perform mold testing, the inspector collects a few samples from inside his shed, knowing the samples will show extremely high counts of dangerous molds. After collecting a few samples from your building he swaps your samples with his bad samples and sends them off to a lab for analysis.

The object of this scam is to create the worst mold scenario possible in order to frighten you into a signing a contract for a mold remediation job. The hope is that once you see how bad your test results are, you'll be so scared and confused that you will want to take immediate action. At the height of your vulnerability they just happen to have a contract all ready for you to sign. The result is tens of thousands of dollars in mold remediation that never needed to be done.

How To Avoid This Mold Scam:
Practical common sense. The best way to avoid this scam is to avoid using mold inspectors who are also in the remediation business. Also, avoid any inspector or remediation contractor offering "free" inspections. Don't be naive. No one offers free anything unless they plan to get something in return.

*AIHA's EMLAP accredited laboratories specialize in analysis of microorganisms commonly detected in air, fluids and bulk samples, as part of IAQ investigations. The AIHA accreditation program is a rigorous, thorough and lengthy process involving all operations and personnel of the accredited site.
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