Tuesday, May 8, 2007
The Benefit of Plaster Walls Seen in Bound Brook Mold Testing Investigation
My New Jersey client was experiencing respiratory symptoms and was concerned about the roof leaks at her top floor apartment. The landlord was negligent, and she was hoping my mold inspection would provide a nudge for him to fix the roof.
The results of my inspection were negative for mold growth on water-stained ceilings and plaster walls. Mold does not like plaster, as is typically found in an older apartment with original walls. Sometimes I see mold growing on the paint on plaster, but there was no sign of mold here.
However, culture plate air sample results showed a different picture. Levels of Penicillium and Aspergillus were elevated. Mold remediation would be required after the water penetration was eliminated.
I remembered an inspection at another pre-war apartment building where chronic roof leakage resulted in heavy mold growth in the building envelope (the area between brick and perimeter interior walls). Levels of airborne Aspergillus niger spores were very high in that apartment. I was able to access the wall cavity between the exterior brick and the interior wall, and air testing in that cavity revealed extremely high levels of Aspergillus niger as well. Perhaps there was sufficient dust and dirt at that wall cavity to support the growth of mold, since mold needs organic material to grow on. Whatever enabled the growth of Aspergillus niger, this area of the building was severely contaminated and needed to be gutted. My guess was that the problem was much more extensive than just what was evident at this one first floor rental unit.
Perhaps a report on the air sample results, along with the fear factor of what might happen over time due to continued negligence, would be enough to motivate her landlord to fix the leaking roof. I hoped so. If not, she might have to seek legal help.
In contrast to plaster walls, if the ceilings and walls had been drywall (also known as sheetrock, wallboard, and gypsum board), that would be an entirely different story. There would be big-time mold with drywall, because mold grows easily on the cellulosic (paper) backing.
How do you know if your walls are plaster or drywall? Knock on them. If knocking is like hitting against concrete, they are plaster. If you hear a hollow sound, they are drywall.
The results of my inspection were negative for mold growth on water-stained ceilings and plaster walls. Mold does not like plaster, as is typically found in an older apartment with original walls. Sometimes I see mold growing on the paint on plaster, but there was no sign of mold here.
However, culture plate air sample results showed a different picture. Levels of Penicillium and Aspergillus were elevated. Mold remediation would be required after the water penetration was eliminated.
I remembered an inspection at another pre-war apartment building where chronic roof leakage resulted in heavy mold growth in the building envelope (the area between brick and perimeter interior walls). Levels of airborne Aspergillus niger spores were very high in that apartment. I was able to access the wall cavity between the exterior brick and the interior wall, and air testing in that cavity revealed extremely high levels of Aspergillus niger as well. Perhaps there was sufficient dust and dirt at that wall cavity to support the growth of mold, since mold needs organic material to grow on. Whatever enabled the growth of Aspergillus niger, this area of the building was severely contaminated and needed to be gutted. My guess was that the problem was much more extensive than just what was evident at this one first floor rental unit.
Perhaps a report on the air sample results, along with the fear factor of what might happen over time due to continued negligence, would be enough to motivate her landlord to fix the leaking roof. I hoped so. If not, she might have to seek legal help.
In contrast to plaster walls, if the ceilings and walls had been drywall (also known as sheetrock, wallboard, and gypsum board), that would be an entirely different story. There would be big-time mold with drywall, because mold grows easily on the cellulosic (paper) backing.
How do you know if your walls are plaster or drywall? Knock on them. If knocking is like hitting against concrete, they are plaster. If you hear a hollow sound, they are drywall.
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