Mold Remediation Guidance in Chicago
Orange mushroom found in rotting roof system
Mold Discovery, Identification, Prevention and Removal Guidance
Question:
We sealed our building, but it still leaks – what's going on?
Answer:
The water was trapped in your walls before you sealed it. In the summer, trapped water will be pushed into your home by vapor drive. Its physics, wet moves to dry, hot moves to cold.
It's necessary to vent a wet building that has been sealed. There is nowhere for trapped water to go, except to the interior. Installing vented flashing protects against additional rain water coming in through the top of the wall
AND allows trapped water vapor to escape. Vented flashings also prevent naturally occurring condensation from accumulating.
Mold or Mushrooms? What's the difference?
Typical spring in Chicago... It rains everyday for a 3 weeks with 25-45 mph winds from the Northwest. Then its suddenly summer and 90+ degrees for the next 3 weeks with no breeze.
After a week of heat and humidity, the water trapped in the walls transforms into moisture vapor which can expand up to 1600 times – it needs somewhere to go. It will either push sealant/elastomeric paint off the exterior walls (bubbling/peeling) or join you for dinner or both.
Moisture Meter readings explained: "Dry" masonry walls read between 30-40% moisture content. This wall (85.8%) is 40-50% more wet than a typical "dry" masonry wall. This wall needs to be vented and sealed.