Mold Inspectors Recommend Inspection for Construction Defects and Resulting Mold Growth

MESA, AZ, April 14, 2013 (Press-News.org) Construction defects in the building of homes and commercial buildings often result in significant, dangerous, toxic mold growth hidden inside homes and commercial buildings, according to Certified Mold Inspectors Phillip and Divine Fry, and Hank and Merley Taylor, who do mold inspection, testing, removal, and prevention in California, Arizona, USA nationwide, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

Mold-causing building construction defects can be caused by architect design errors; contractor failure to follow the architect's blueprints; untrained and unsupervised construction workers; defective or already-moldy construction materials; incorrect or negligent installation of buildings materials or defective materials; and contractor failure to cover and protect building materials and construction-in-progress against rain and snow.
Common types of construction defects that facilitate mold growth include structural defects such as foundation and wall cracks; inadequate waterproofing of basement walls and foundations; inadequate water or vapor barrier beneath concrete floors, which let water into the building; deterioration of concrete slabs and foundations because of sulfate attack; and defective or improperly-installed plumbing lines, valves, fixtures such as shower enclosures, tubs, toilets, sinks, dishwasher, and refrigerator automatic icemaker.

Other mold-causing building defects include building damage caused by land movement or earth settlement; inadequate or faulty surface and ground water drainage systems; inadequate, faulty or improperly-installed ventilation, cooling or heating systems, including water condensation lines; and improperly installed, flashed, and sealed windows, entry doors, French doors, and sliding glass doors.

Roofing defects include the use of water-pooling flat roofs; inadequate roof drainage, broken, missing, or loose roof tiles or shingles; improperly lapped or misaligned tiles or shingles; inadequate felt underlay coverage, torn or deteriorated felt underlay, or improper or inadequate nails/fasteners.

Exterior wall stucco defects that allow water intrusion and mold growth include stucco that is too thin, stucco that allows water intrusion, stucco that is prone to cracking, and insufficient penetration of the lath into the stucco. Wood siding can allow water intrusion and mold growth due to improper installation and painting or other sealing.

"Before a house or building is purchased, or during its construction phase, the home or building should be thoroughly inspected and tested for both construction defects and mold growth," warn the Fry and Taylor mold inspection teams. The inspectors are also Certified Mold Remediators, Certified Environmental Hygienists, Professional Industrial Hygienists, and Certified Ozone Professionals.

In the USA, for more information on construction defect inspection and mold inspection, phone 1-480-310-7970 or 1-480-217-7173, or email phil@moldinspector.com, or visit the website http://www.moldexpertconsultants.com.

In Asia, phone 63-917-544-8160 or 63-912-481-7637, or email moldmen@moldinspector.com or moldmen@att.net, or visit the websites http://www.mold.ph and http://www.moldmarines.com.

Environmental Hygienists Provide Mold Inspection, Testing, Removal and Remediation Services and Products for Homes and Commercial and Public Buildings Nationwide USA and Asia