E – 1718 Danger in the Damp – Dealing with Mold

Despite our best efforts to keep it out, water has found its way inside the building. This course examines
the question of what to do next, since abandoning the building to its eventual collapse is not usually an
option.

The material briefly examines design and construction methods of systems designed to withstand water
penetration. An understanding of these systems gives us a starting point in finding sources of intrusion,
and a starting point for how to best repair them and prevent further damage. Sealing a failed envelope is
the first step in remediation. Otherwise, the appearance of mold will likely be the next step in rendering
our damaged buildings uninhabitable.

Once the source of the problem has been addressed, steps can be taken to reclaim full use of the built
environment. Assessment of moisture damage must be done next to best determine and prioritize steps
toward repair or replacement of damaged components. Immediate and critical remedies are examined, as
well as those which can be addressed after a couple days have passed. Lastly, any resulting mold growth
must be eliminated, and steps taken to prevent its recurrence.

Because of its power and the many ways water finds to enter our buildings, water intrusion with
accompanying mold growth is one of the most discouraging building maintenance issues to address. But
we have enough accumulated experience from past battles to handle it far better moving forward.

This course is intended to equip others with that knowledge.