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Moisture & Weatherization
Management & Control
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Moisture-Caused Problems
Mold/fungal growth Stains/discoloration
Increased energy use
Degradation of building materials
Discomfort from high humidity levels
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Moisture Terminology
Humidity =
Amount of moisture
the air can hold
Relative Humidity =Amount of H2
0 in Air
Amount of H2
0 Air Could Holdat a given Temperature
Absolute Humidity = 3 lb./1000 lb. = .003
Relative Humidity = (3 lb./10lb.) = 30%
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How Vapor Moves Air currents -
Air, with vapor, moves from high pressure to lower
pressure.
Fast transport
98% of all water vapor movement in building
Vapor diffusion Vapor moves from areas of high vapor pressure to
areas of low vapor pressure.
Through building materials (paint, drywall, insulation,siding, etc.)
Heat transfer
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Moisture Transport Understand how moisture moves in a house.
Many crawl spaces are damp moisture canmove into the living space through the floor,
floor penetrations, duct work, up walls, etc. into
the house and/or into the attic.
Stack effect draws warm moist air up into the
attic.
Vapor condensates on cool attic components
and starts mold growth.
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Condensation Process
Warm air holds moremoisture than cold.
When air cools, vapor turns
to water. Condenses on cold surfaces.
An air mass at
75 deg. F. and 25% humidity isdry.
40 deg. F. will be 100% humidand saturated!
75 F25% RH
40 F100%
CooledHeated
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Sources of Moisture
External Sources
Leaks
Capillary action Cement slabs
Cement block
Internal Sources
Lifestyle
Condensation Windows
Cold surfaces
** Picture courtesy of MOLD-KILL.com
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External Sources of Internal Moisture
Leaks
Roofs Windows & Doors
Wall penetrations
Pipes Vapor Diffusion
Capillary Action
High water table (slab)
Crawl space moisture
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Internal Sources of External Moisture Vents terminating in
attic
Dryer
Bathroom
Kitchen
Chimney effect
Vapor diffusion
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Internal Sources of Moisture Leaks
Water and waste piping
Condensation of WaterVapor Washing & drying
clothes Cooking
Showering
Breathing
AC condensate Aquariums
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Daily Household Moisture Production
Household with 4 people produce: Cooking, steam
4 qts
8.3 lbs
Clothes dryer 1 qts
2.1 lbs
Dishwasher
2 qts
4.2 lbs
Dishwashing, hand
1 qts
2.1 lbs
Laundering
5 qts
10.4 lbs
People, metabolic
12 qts
25.0 lbs
Showers, baths (4) 2 qts 4.2 lbsAverage Daily Production27 qts
58.3 lbs
7 gallons
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-10
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Single Glazed Double Glazed
Clear
Double Glazed
Low-E
Window
Type:
Ou
tdoorTemperature(F
)
52F
19F
-10F
Internal Condensation on Windows
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Internal Condensation on Cold Surfaces Cold Surfaces
Windows
Un-insulated
walls
Cold Spots
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Sources of External Leaks Windows
Missing/broken panes
Poor installation
Roof
Around attic vents
Poor roofing
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Other Sources of Moisture Improperly flashed
roofs.
Improperly installed
window and door
flashing.
Unprotected work
sites.
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Before You Weatherize Assess the mold situation.
How bad is it? Will it interfere with Wx activities?
Will Wx activities make it worse?
Can or should you make it better?
Pressurize or depressurize with your blower
door?
Walk away or stay?
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Identifying Mold Problems First Sign: Persistent health problems
Odor: Use smell to locate sources ofmusty, moldy, or "earthy" odors.
Visual Inspection: Look for mold colonies
Appearance: white, gray, brown, black, yellow, green
Texture: cottony, velvety, granular, or leathery
Look for sources of moisture
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Identifying Mold Problems
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Sampling Molds
No guidelines or regulations for
"safe" or "normal" spore levels. No certified mold experts!
Types of Sampling
Air Sampling
Cultural Volumetric
Surface Sampling
Tape lift
Swab Bulk Sampling
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Preventing Mold Growth Molds cannot be stopped they can only
be controlled. Reduce or eliminate moisture.
Rule #1: Keep it Dry -
it is easier to
prevent mold growth than to stop it! Properly seal windows, doors, roof penetrations,
bypasses, and other potential leak spots.
Stop leaks. Dry, dry, dry!
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Preventing Mold Growth Rule #2: If it gets wet, dry it out
immediately! Remedy water disasters immediately -
24
to 48 hours!
Rule #3: Identify and eliminatesources of moisture. Eliminate moisture sources
Dry the air
Circulate air Ventilate
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Controlling Mold The following activities can be achieved
by Wx crew to reduce moisture. Ventilation
Bathroom and kitchen venting
Dryer duct venting Direct venting gas heaters
Insulate
Shell sealing stop the chimney effect! Low misting low flow shower heads
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Ventilation
Bathroom (8 ACH*)
Kitchen fans (15 ACH*)
Laundry (6 ACH*)
Ventilate to the outside Not to attic
Not to crawl space
Use humidity or timecontrols*Home Ventilating Institute (HVI)
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Vent to the Great Outdoors! Bathroom and kitchen vents
must exhaust outside!
Dryer vents must exhaust
outside.
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Control Ventilation
Controlled ventilation system for a house in a cooling climate.
Supply Exhaust
Exhaust
Supply
Return
Fan
Central
Exhaust
Fan
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Duct Sealing Prevent Negative Pressure
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Seal Supply Leaks
Negative Pressure
Unconditioned Air& Pollutants
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Proper Flashing & Sealing Windows & Doors
Install flashing
properly around doors
and windows.
Properly seal
replacement windowsand thresholds.
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Seal Return Leaks
Positive Pressure
Unconditioned Air& Moisture
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Balance Thermostat Programming
Cooler temperatures increasethe amount of moisture that
condenses into liquid water
inside the house.
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Control Air Temperature
Absolute humidity = .005 (5/1000)
Relative humidity = 25% (5/20)
Absolute humidity = .005 (5/1000)
Relative humidity = 50% (5/10)
Absolute humidity = .005 (5/1000)
Relative humidity = 100% (5/5)
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Wall Furnaces Major source of moisture and
air pollutants! Replace with direct venting
furnaces or forced air units!
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Insulation Cellulose
Mold loves cellulose!
Cellulose dries easily
when not soaked.
Will grow mold when
soaked. Wet-applied insulation
Fiberglass
Molds cant eatfiberglass.
Retains water.
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Control Shower Misting
Installing low-flow
showerheads to save energyand water?
Use lowmist rated
showerheads.
Up to 70% disparity in
moisture levels between
lowmisting and standard
showerheads
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Roof Vents Installing roof vents
can cause water
leaks!
Increases stack effect
Moisture entry paths
through the vent. Poor workmanship
caused leaks.
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Roof Vents Covering roof vents in winter?
Decreases stack effect
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Shell Sealing Reducing exfiltration increases moisture.
What to do? Seal critical pathways
to the attic and from
the crawl space.
Increase controlled ventilation.
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Controlling Moisture & Mold Fix Moisture Problems
Must be fixed and dried in 24
48 hours to prevent mold
growth!
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Controlling Moisture & Mold Dry and Circulate Air
In areas of high humidity relyuse an air conditioner to dry air
in the summer.
Use a dehumidifier in the winter. Ensure air moves across
windows and walls.
Moving air will not condense.
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Controlling Moisture & Mold
Things to Avoid
Ozone Generators
Delayed Investigation of Water Problems
Aggressive Removal without Containment
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Mold Remediation Contain affected area.
Dry the affected area properly.
Thoroughly clean area. Remove discardable contaminated
materials
Wash with detergent solution
Use HEPA vacuums Use exhaust ventilation
Disinfect
15-minute chlorine-water solution
Anti-microbial chemicals (may becontrolled substances)
Paint (anti-microbial or alcohol-based)
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Worker Protection Workers should wear HEPA-filtered
respirators (100 series filters) Goggles to prevent mold getting in the
eyes.
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Mold ResourcesCalifornia Department of Health Services (CDHS)
http://www.dhs.cahwnet.gov
CDHS Indoor Air Quality Program
http://www.cal-iaq.org
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
http://www.epa.gov
New York Department of Health (NYDH)http://www.health.state.ny.us
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Moisture Intrusion Resources
Moisture Control Handbook
Joseph Lstiburek and John Carmody
Moisture Control in Buildings
Heinz R. Treschel, Ed. (ASTM) Fundamentals of Moisture in Houses
Home Energy Magazine, Nov./Dec. 1995.
Energy Efficient Building Association,Builders Guide, Building Science Corporation(www.buildingscience.com)
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Toxic Mold: The New Environmental Crisis
Caused by moisture, no moisture no mold!
Newest highly publicized health threat.
Hundreds of mold lawsuits filed.
State and Federal legislation has been passed
or is being passed.
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Weatherization, Mold, & MoistureWeatherization
Activity
Moisture
Problem
Mold
Growth Reduce Infiltration Increases internal
moisture.
Reduces drying
effects of air flow.
Increase
Insulate to reduce
heat flow
Building materials
can create cold spots
Decrease in insulated
areas.
Increase in un-
insulated areas
Venting (attic & crawl
space)
Increase moisture
transport into attics
and crawl spaces.
Increase or decrease
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Weatherization, Mold, & MoistureWeatherization
Activity
Moisture
Problem
Mold
Growth Low-Flow
Showerheads
Misting increases
moisture content of
air inside house.
Increase
Set-back T-Stats
Reduce capacity ofair to hold moisture.
Increase
One-Warm Room Cool off parts of
homes.
Increase
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Toxic Mold LawsuitsIn 2000 -
9,000 Mold Lawsuits Filed
5,000 against insurers for failure to cover claims 2,000 against homeowner associations for improper
maintenance
2,000 against builders for construction defects
1,000 against former owners for failure to disclose
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State & Federal Legislation
SB 732 (Ortiz) California"Toxic Mold Protection Act"signed by Governor Davis,
October 2001.H.R. 5040 (Melina Bill)
United
States Toxic Mold Safety &Protection Act of 2002"signed by U.S. House ofRepresentatives, June 2002.
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What are Molds?MOLDS:
Are microscopic organisms that
digest organic (plant and
animal) matter.
Are in the Fungi Kingdom, which
includes: Yeasts
Mushrooms
Molds
Make up 25% of Earths biomass More than 100,000 species, over
1,000 species in the U.S.
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Molds & Mushrooms They are all
around.
They grow
everywhere.
Cant be
eliminated.
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Mildew
What is MILDEW? A micro-organism similar
to molds/fungi.
Common plant diseases.
The term mildew is often
used interchangeably with
mold.
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Life Cycle of Molds Spore stage
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How Big are Mold Spores?
Mold
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What are Toxic Molds? Toxic Molds are any molds
that cause an adverse humanhealth effect.
Not all molds are toxic!
At least 100 species of mold areconsidered toxic.
Common household molds can
be toxic.
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What Makes Molds Toxic? What causes
reactions? Spores (viable and
dead)
Cell membrane material Microbial Volatile
Organic Compounds
(MVOCs) Mycotoxins
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Mycotoxins Powerful chemical released by fungi to help
in competition for food. Penicillin & aflatoxins; originally studied as
feed and food poisons (peanuts).
Explain some, but not all of hazardousproperties of airborne molds.
Hallucinogens
Deadly toxins Angels Cap Mushroom
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Common Toxic Household Molds
Alternaria
Aspergillus
Cladosporium
Fuarim
Memnoniella
Mucor
Penicillium Stachybotrys chartarum
Trichoderma
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Aspergillus species Common black mold (can be
many other colors)
Over 185 species 20 species are considered
toxic.
Produce aflatoxins (poisons)
in food crops (i.e. peanuts)
Health effects:
Allergies and allergic
reactions to Life-threatening generalized
infections
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Stachybotrys chartarum (atras) A greenish-black slime mold
that
Wet and slimy to the touch. 15 different species.
Grows on materials high in
cellulose and low in nitrogencontent, such as: Carpet
Wallpaper
Thermal insulation
Dry wall and gypsum board
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Penicillium sp. One of the most common
household molds.
Found in or on: soil, food, cellulose and
grains.
carpet, wall paper, and ininterior fiberglass ductinsulation
also found in paint andcompost piles.
It is reported to be allergenic
Some species can producemycotoxins.
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Mycotoxin Producing MoldsStachybotrys chartarum ** Aspergillus fumigatus **
Aspergillus flavus/parasiticus ** Aspergillus versicolor **
Fusarium moniliforme ** Fusarium graminearum
Fusarium sporotrichioides Paecilomyces varioti
Penicillium ochraceus Penicilliumbrevicompactum
Penicillium aurantiogriseum Penicillium expansum
Penicillium crustosum Trichoderma viride
Penicillium verrucosum
Memnoniella echinata
** Moulds requiring urgent risk management, AIHA Guide 96
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Health Effects
Inflammation (sinuses, lungs, etc.)
Allergic reactions
Asthma
Infections
Toxic reactions (CNS problems -
headaches, loss of memory, andmood changes)
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Symptoms Allergic reactions
Rhinitis (nasal and sinus congestion)
Mucous membrane irritation
Rashes and hives
Persistent cold and flu-like symptoms Eyes - burning, watery, reddened,
blurry vision, and light sensitivity
Chronic sinusitis (15% of population)
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Exposure Pathways
How is one exposed? Inhalation (breathing) is
the primary pathway
Skin/eye contact
Ingestion (eating)
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Mold Sensitivity
When will symptoms develop?
Depends on: Type of mold Extent of exposure
Short-term, high-level exposures Long-term, low-level exposures
Susceptibility of the individual
People react differently Depends on exposure and individuals
sensitivity
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Who Is Most At Risk?
Individuals with:
Pre-existing respiratory conditions (allergies,multiple chemical sensitivity, and asthma)
Compromised immune systems
And Infants and children
Pregnant women
Elderly
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What Molds Need to Grow?
Oxygen
Organic food
Moisture (70% RH)
Warm temperatures
(50 100 deg F)
Shelter (protection)
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Food for Molds
Molds digest dead organic material.
Construction materials: Cellulose materials
Drywall backing
Wall paper
Cellulose insulation Vinyl flooring backing
Processed Wood
OSB
Plywood
Glues (organic)
Paint (with organic content)
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Food for Molds Bio-films Bio-film
Mold cant eat metals
but can grow on thebio-film that is on
interior household
surfaces where
condensate occurs!
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Molds & Moisture Molds need moisture not
liquid water to grow.
65
99% Relative Humidity
Molds require a specific
amount of moisture content
on or in a material to grow.
Different molds species grow
on the same surface as the
moisture content changes.
Molds will not grow underwater.
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