MOLD INSPECTION

OBSERVATIONS

18 holes were observed in the ceiling of the property. Each hole was about 1 square inch and located at office ceilings, hall ceilings, and closet ceilings in areas where electrical conduits and cable wires pass from the attic to the office space. It is possible that the remediators feared being shocked by the wires and as a result did not seal the openings in the ceiling that these conduits created. 

The significance of these openings is that whenever the wind blows off the lake it will push air into the attic. This attic air then is pushed into the offices via these ceiling holes.

It was observed by this inspector and witnessed also by the client that the lingering attic and rodent odors that are passing into the office areas from above were stronger on this

re inspection than on the previous initial inspection. On the initial inspection,  the inspector could barely detect the odor and only in certain areas. But during this inspection,  the odor was easily detected and widespread.  

Also,  electrical outlet cover plates were missing from various walls. These holes constitute openings  in the walls where attic air can pass into the building.

Indoor humidity was 62%RH at 88F and 127 grains of moisture, thus humidity grains of moisture and even temp were high primarily because of air passing in from the attic and secondarily because of the lack of an AC in use.

Plastic at ceiling in the front lobby was bowing downward   because pressure in the attic was neutral or slightly stronger than in the offices. Also,  a damaged bathroom vent in the attic above the mens room was pressurizing the attic thus helping to bow down the plastic enclosure at the ceiling and  was helping to push attic air into the offices from the attic.

MOLD INSPECTION

CONCLUSIONS

Repair the bathroom vent so it is not blowing air into the attic thus pressurizing the attic and forcing attic air into the building. 

Seal all the openings in the ceiling and walls so attic air and attic humidity are not entering the building every time the wind blows as was noticed during the initial inspection.

Run air scrubbers in the building to remove the attic odors, the rat odors and rat allergens.

Run a dehumidifier to get humidity down to 30% to 50% RH.

Note that attic odors, MVOC's, rodent allergins, and other irritants common in attics will not show up on most tests.  They cannot be seen in the air or on surfaces thus test results and visual inspections are not the primary criteria to determine if the property is clean & free of irritants or still contaminated. However, odor will have to be the determining factor here.

When the building smells very clean after 2 to 4 days of running the remediators machines, then remove the machines.

Perform build back procedures such as installing tile in place of carpet.

Obtain a humidity meter from Home Depot or Radio Shack and  if humidity ever goes above 60%,  get a dehumidifier.

Have an AC unit or units installed indoors in an area where it can be easily serviced. Have this done as soon as possible to maintain indoor humidity between 30% and 60% RH.

Levels between 30% and 50% are much better is possible. 

Have appropriate repair persons seal ceiling and wall openings  with drywalls and AC ducts.  Do not remove tape and plastic from ceiling & wall openings until final drywall, duct & electrical  repairs have been  made.

Conduct all other required and desired repairs including but not limited to the instillation of attic insulation and an attic vent fan operated via thermostat.

In regards to air quality in the offices,  obvious odors and roof  rat allergens  were not detected.  In fact,  the rats you had Rattus Rattus (roof rats ) produce allergens that labs likely cannot yet detect since labs can only detect Rattus Norvegicus ( Norway rat allergens). 

Cladosporium and pen as spores did not show in high levels because the remediators did an excellent job of removing the previous hiding places for these molds. Previous homes  of these molds was within your previously very moldy duct work.

Because it was humid and raining very hard during this re inspection, many molds especially ascospores and ganoderma  growing outdoors were forced to release large numbers of spores. Thus,  large numbers of ascospores and ganoderma were found outdoors. Spore types found were ganoderma and ascospores and these never grow indoors but grow on tree trunks and plant leaves outdoors.

Outdoor humidity was 73%RH at 87F and and 144 grains of moisture with heavy rain.

In addition,  large numbers of ganoderma and ascospores were found in the attic and elevated levels were even found indoors in the offices. Thus proving that the outdoor air was entering the attic and from the attic,  the air was entering the indoor areas.  This adds more weight to the inspector's recommendations to seal ceiling openings in order to prevent excessive unconditioned outdoor and attic air and humidity from entering the building.

The most important part of the remediation process was removing the very moldy duct work, rodent droppings and rodent urine which contaminated insulation from the attic. The faulty AC system and duct work that was pushing the offending chemicals into the building from the attic were removed. All this was done in a way that was above average, the remediators did a excellent job of cleaning the attic. 

But as stated above,  the ceiling holes need to be sealed in order to prevent more attic air from being blown in. Also,  use air scrubbers and dehumidifiers to continue cleaning the office air until the odors and humidity are gone. Do not let future repair persons remove tape & plastic from openings unitl they are ready to seal the openings themselves.