Re: Cleaning mold out of attic /Carl

[Guest guest]

Carl,

Thanks. I will get a professional for this type

of thing. The reason I ask in group is what I

have learned is that all the professionals have

different ideas themselves and disputes amoung

themselves, so I like to have an opinion of my

own before consulting an expert. My rule of

thumb now is know what you want before you ask.

You can always change your mind based on the

information you get from expert you consult with.

--- " Carl E. Grimes " <grimes@...> wrote:

> Your questions have answers that can be found

> in EPA's Mold

> Remediation in Schools and Commericial

> Buildings (free from

> www.epa.gov/iaq/molds) and the IICRC S520

> Standard and Reference

> Guide for Professional Mold Remediation (not

> free, but perhaps

> available from a remediator).

>

[Guest guest]

Barb,

You are the model student! YOU (each of us) is the one that must

understand the information and trust it so you don't contribute to

the wilderness of confusion.

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

-----

> Carl,

> Thanks. I will get a professional for this type

> of thing. The reason I ask in group is what I

> have learned is that all the professionals have

> different ideas themselves and disputes amoung

> themselves, so I like to have an opinion of my

> own before consulting an expert. My rule of

> thumb now is know what you want before you ask.

> You can always change your mind based on the

> information you get from expert you consult with.

>

>

> --- " Carl E. Grimes " <grimes@...> wrote:

>

> > Your questions have answers that can be found

> > in EPA's Mold

> > Remediation in Schools and Commericial

> > Buildings (free from

> > www.epa.gov/iaq/molds) and the IICRC S520

> > Standard and Reference

> > Guide for Professional Mold Remediation (not

> > free, but perhaps

> > available from a remediator).

[Guest guest]

Carl--I would really welcome your thoughts on what type of professional would I

hire to examine a ten year old house which I may purchase??? I can not detect

the funky eau de mold, etc. in it but as I gather from reading these posts, it

can be there. Also, I will be replacing the heating and air conditioning system

and ducts because they are original to the property. You are a genius and any

thoughts which come to your mind are greatly and deeply appreciated. Leigh.

" Carl E. Grimes " <grimes@...> wrote:

Barb,

You are the model student! YOU (each of us) is the one that must

understand the information and trust it so you don't contribute to

the wilderness of confusion.

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

-----

> Carl,

> Thanks. I will get a professional for this type

> of thing. The reason I ask in group is what I

> have learned is that all the professionals have

> different ideas themselves and disputes amoung

> themselves, so I like to have an opinion of my

> own before consulting an expert. My rule of

> thumb now is know what you want before you ask.

> You can always change your mind based on the

> information you get from expert you consult with.

>

>

> --- " Carl E. Grimes " <grimes@...> wrote:

>

> > Your questions have answers that can be found

> > in EPA's Mold

> > Remediation in Schools and Commericial

> > Buildings (free from

> > www.epa.gov/iaq/molds) and the IICRC S520

> > Standard and Reference

> > Guide for Professional Mold Remediation (not

> > free, but perhaps

> > available from a remediator).

---------------------------------

Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs.Try it free.

[Guest guest]

Carl, you are giving me a big head, but it feels

good and gives some balance to my life, since

everything else is hurting right now!! Thanks

--- " Carl E. Grimes " <grimes@...> wrote:

> Barb,

>

> You are the model student! YOU (each of us) is

> the one that must

> understand the information and trust it so you

> don't contribute to

> the wilderness of confusion.

>

> Carl Grimes

> Healthy Habitats LLC

[Guest guest]

Leigh,

Thanks for the kind words but I have to diagree about the genius

comment. I'm far from it. I just apply current information and

processes in a way most others don't -- to real individuals rather

than the conceptualized general public.

What type of professional? This is a tough question. Start with

www.iaqa.org and www.iicrc.org for referrals of those with some

training and credible certifications. If you find a CIH or IH

(industrial hygienist) they MUST have additional training about

residential environments and mold, including from IAQA www.iaqa.org

or IICRC www.iicrc.org or Midatlantic www.mehrc.org. Then FURTHER

qualify them to meet your needs:

1. He/she believes your experience and concerns.

2. Asks you lots of questions before offering a solution.

3. Conducts a throrough, open-ended inspection before even

considering any kind of testing, for mold or otherwise.

4. Asks you more questions.

5. Wants to know building history and occupant experience in the

house (if available).

5. Asks more questions.

6. Understands basic mold information including dead vs live mold,

the inaccuracies of mold testing, how assessing the environment is

more descriptive and predictive of mold than sampling, is conversant

with the role of moisture, understands that water can be present as a

liquid or as a vapor, and doesn't rely on the application of

chemicals to solve mold problems.

7. Takes moisture measurements of materials and the air

(psychrometry).

8. Asks more questions.

9. Offers practical recommendations to remedy any deficiencies and

can suggest alternatives to fit you needs, preferences and budget.

10. Attempts to match his inspection information with your reactivity

information in a way you understand and trust. Then you, not him/her,

can make an informed decision.

Did I mention he should ask lots of questions?

An individualized solution is NOT possible until the " problem " is

defined. The sequence is not even " ready-aim-fire. " It is to first

identify the target and only then " ready-aim-fire. " Don't listen to

" don't worry, lady, I know what I'm doing, " or " let me shoot for you,

lady, I'm the expert " or " nothing to worry about because I don't see

mold, " or " nothing to worry about because the mold inside is not 10

times higher than outside, " or any one of another hundred or so

variations.

The really good ones are far and few between, but not finding the

right one can be extremely costly to you. You have to understand and

trust the information. If you can't then don't proceed.

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

-----

> Carl--I would really welcome your thoughts on what type of

> professional would I hire to examine a ten year old house which I may

> purchase??? I can not detect the funky eau de mold, etc. in it but as

> I gather from reading these posts, it can be there. Also, I will be

> replacing the heating and air conditioning system and ducts because

> they are original to the property. You are a genius and any thoughts

> which come to your mind are greatly and deeply appreciated. Leigh.

>

> " Carl E. Grimes " <grimes@...> wrote:

> Barb,

>

> You are the model student! YOU (each of us) is the one that must

> understand the information and trust it so you don't contribute to

> the wilderness of confusion.

>

> Carl Grimes

> Healthy Habitats LLC

>

> -----

> > Carl,

> > Thanks. I will get a professional for this type

> > of thing. The reason I ask in group is what I

> > have learned is that all the professionals have

> > different ideas themselves and disputes amoung

> > themselves, so I like to have an opinion of my

> > own before consulting an expert. My rule of

> > thumb now is know what you want before you ask.

> > You can always change your mind based on the

> > information you get from expert you consult with.

> >

> >

> > --- " Carl E. Grimes " <grimes@...> wrote:

> >

> > > Your questions have answers that can be found

> > > in EPA's Mold

> > > Remediation in Schools and Commericial

> > > Buildings (free from

> > > www.epa.gov/iaq/molds) and the IICRC S520

> > > Standard and Reference

> > > Guide for Professional Mold Remediation (not

> > > free, but perhaps

> > > available from a remediator).

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs.Try it free.

>

>

[Guest guest]

After my last post on qualifications of a consultant, emphasizing the

need to make an informed decision, I came across Saturday's Dilbert

comic strip. It was perfect, as usual, for describing what is all too

often true (wrong, but true):

Dilbert is addressing a group, saying, " In order to make an informed

decision, you would need to know as much as I know. That's

impossible. So instead, by mutual, implied agreement, I will feed you

some lies that point you to the right direction. "

Original at: http://www.dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/archive/dilbert-

20060805.html

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC