The Forensic expert kollegium conducts expertise of construction services in both judicial and pre-trial order, including investigations into the causes of mold formation in buildings and structures.
Mold is a coating formed by mold fungi on various surfaces. It is generally accepted that the ideal conditions for the appearance and spread of mold are room temperature combined with high humidity and ineffective ventilation.
Mold fungi spread through the air in the form of microscopic spores. When these spores settle on a damp surface, they germinate into fine filaments (mycelium).
It should also be noted that moisture is the primary factor contributing to mold formation. As is well known from practice, all building structures and materials contain moisture to some extent. In concrete façade panels and floor slabs, moisture forms as a result of condensation, settling on the surfaces of walls and ceilings in the form of tiny droplets. Condensation is the result of the temperature difference between the surface and the adjacent air. It may occur during the cold season due to the inadequate technical condition of inter-panel joints and wall structures, the requirements for which are specified in the design documentation (thermal engineering calculations), or due to their damage (deterioration) during operation.
The penetration of moisture into building structural elements through pores, openings, cracks, or unsealed joints from the outside, in the form of atmospheric precipitation or meltwater, creates favorable conditions for mold growth. Its appearance on unprotected materials (those lacking biocidal protection) is inevitable in such cases. Structural moisture is initially present in construction elements in small quantities and may accumulate both during manufacturing and during operation. Moisture accumulation may also result from unbalanced air exchange within the premises. Another cause of moisture is leakage from utility systems. The quantity of mold fungi is influenced by various indoor environmental conditions that provide a favorable environment for their growth.
Mold fungi can have a destructive effect on virtually any material. They easily damage paint coatings, as well as brick, cement, and concrete. When mold appears on the surface of structural building elements, its reproduction is accompanied by visible growth, and the affected material becomes a source of mold spores. Therefore, the first sign of mold contamination is the presence of mold spores in the air. Just as radiation or heavy metals affect the human body invisibly, mold also affects people, their health, and their homes. Therefore, if signs of mold are detected, it is recommended to urgently take the following measures to eliminate it:
- reduce indoor humidity (effective heating of rooms during winter, avoiding drying laundry indoors, repairing leaking utility systems, reducing the number of indoor plants);
- ensure maximum ventilation (more frequent opening of windows, improved ventilation in bathrooms);
- promptly eliminate mold-affected areas.
During the investigation, the following causes of mold formation may be identified:
- penetration of moisture through joints and connections of wall panels, its accumulation in the pores of the structural elements of the apartment, and its direct impact on finishing materials;
- moisture accumulation in structures due to leakage from utility pipelines at the location of the investigated object and their improper operation;
- moisture accumulation in structures due to leakage from utility pipelines at the location of the investigated object and inadequate performance of the natural exhaust ventilation system in the bathroom and toilet.
The examination of the object at the Forensic expert kollegium is carried out by means of a visual inspection of the object's condition and the necessary control measurements, with the results recorded on site. If necessary, specialists from the laboratory of the «V.F. Kuprevich Institute of experimental botany of the National academy of sciences of Belarus» collect samples of mold-contaminated materials from the walls of the investigated premises.
Where necessary, the investigation also includes a mycological examination (microscopic examination of scrapings from affected surfaces, culturing of collected fungi, and identification of fungal species), the result of which is a conclusion on the species composition of the fungal flora.
The following questions are submitted for resolution within the expertise investigating the causes of mold formation:
- What is the cause of mold (fungal) formation in the premises?
- What works should be carried out to eliminate the causes of the identified defect in the residential premises, and what is the cost of such works?
- What is the cost of restoring an apartment affected by mold (fungi) as a result of excessive humidity?
You can consult on an investigation of the causes of mold formation at the Forensic expert kollegium at: Minsk, Zhukovskogo st., 11 A, 4th floor
or by phone +375 (17) 317 04 71; +375 (17) 317 04 72; +375 (17) 317 04 73; +375 (17) 317 04 74; +375 (17) 317 04 76; +375 (29) 109 60 11; +375 (44) 588 60 11