Tag Archive for : moisture test

Moisture Management for Construction in Soggy Times

A soggy few weeks in Southern California following a very dry winter season has heightened the moisture management challenges for property developers and construction companies trying to keep their projects dry.

Moisture management on construction sites is critical for both environmental safety and a successful build. Moisture problems can lead to expensive delays and the added cost of replacing water or mold-impacted materials if left unchecked.

With a flood of late-season rain intersecting busy construction schedules, Southern California project managers have had more than the usual share of moisture challenges on their job sites.

But the weather is far from the only source of moisture trouble.

Not long ago Omega was called in to help mitigate a potentially disastrous water mishap that occurred when our client discovered an incorrectly installed valve behind a shower wall. The resulting leak affected 300 units. While a subcontractor was left with more than $1 million in repair work, it would have been much worse without swift action. Building materials such as drywall, wood, carpeting, and other flooring types typically begin absorbing moisture as soon as they are impacted by water.  Once damp or wet, mold can begin to grow on drywall and under flooring material in as little as 24 to 48 hours, according to the EPA.

Consistent monitoring, proactive management and timely remediation are critical.

Identifying Moisture Issues that Can Soak Your Construction Budget

Some common sources of construction site moisture include:

• Weather: Heavy rains, or rain that occurs before windows are installed
• Leaky roofing
• Fire sprinklers that have been accidentally set off
• Improperly installed plumbing or pipe breaks
• Improperly installed landscape sprinklers
• High indoor humidity without proper ventilation
• Drywall that is installed before concrete is poured can “wick up” moisture during the concrete curing process

Water intrusion events can happen at any time during the construction process. If you are concerned about potential water damage, an onsite environmental assessment can make the difference between a little problem and a soaking.

Suspected moisture intrusion requires a thorough assessment that includes inspection for signs of water staining, temperature differentials using infrared technology, elevated moisture, and suspect mold growth (SMG) in any building materials throughout the site.

Remediating and Preventing Moisture Damage in the Construction Process

Once water damage has been identified, it’s important to act as quickly as possible.

In less severe cases, remediation might mean disinfecting and cleaning building materials and drying the area. Worst-case scenarios require removal and replacement of drywall, wooden structures, and flooring, sometimes in large areas of construction.

Newly poured concrete without adequate ventilation to cure properly can create humidity and moisture that quickly spreads to drywall. Omega’s industrial hygienists have assessed a project where moisture from uncured concrete left 65 hotel rooms with flooring and drywall that had to be removed. If drywall is in place before concrete is poured, you have a week or less before moisture from any uncured sections is likely to be absorbed into drywall.

Effective moisture management includes preventative measures such as:

• Moisture mapping
• Planned construction sequence to avoid introducing moisture after drywall and other vulnerable materials are in place
• Periodic moisture assessment of concrete and drywall
• Mold and moisture assessment following any known or suspected moisture intrusion
• Testing fire sprinklers, plumbing, and roof systems for leaks
• Spot checks for discoloration, texture changes, and decay
• Regular assessment of indoor relative humidity and temperature
• Development of proactive moisture and mold growth control strategies

Moisture Management Expertise

Omega offers a wide range of cost-effective environmental assessment and remediation services for construction, demolition, and renovation, including mold and moisture assessment and management. Our certified personnel and industrial hygienists have deep expertise in water damage investigations to identify and remediate any source of damage or mold and mildew contamination and get your project back on track.

Give us a call or click on the link below to learn more about the best moisture management practices for your project.

Contact Us to Learn More About Moisture Management for Construction

Is Mold Growing in Your Building?

Excessive Moisture in Buildings Can Be Costly to Health and Business 

Once excessive moisture is introduced into an indoor building environment, there is a high possibility for the growth of bacteria or fungi that can pose adverse health effects to tenants, employees and laborers. The California Department of Public Health has concluded that the presence of “water damage, dampness, visible mold or mold odor” in all buildings and indoor environments is unhealthy. Some of the symptoms and adverse health effects associated with excessive indoor moisture and microbial agents (bacteria and fungi) include:

• Upper respiratory symptoms
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Exasperated asthma symptoms in people with asthma
• Shortness of breath
• Asthma development
• Lower respiratory illness in children

Building owners and tenants bear the majority of costs associated with problems caused by excessive moisture in buildings and impacted building materials. This could include:

• Absenteeism due to illnesses
• Workmen’s compensation cost
• Increased insurance risk
• Repair and replacement costs associated with damaged building materials, furniture, products and supplies
• Loss of use of building spaces after damage and during repairs
• Increased insurance and litigation costs related to moisture damage claims

Additionally, excessive indoor moisture degrades the quality of the building and could make restoration costly if it isn’t handled promptly. Possible items that may require repairs include:

• Poor adhesion of floor coverings,
• Other building materials or components such as drywall, ceiling systems, light fixtures, other electrical items, carpeting, and carpet padding.

However, moisture damage to building materials can be prevented or minimized if moisture testing is conducted very soon after a moisture intrusion incident and implementation of measures to prevent or minimize the growth of microbial agents.

For more information about mold and moisture, see Omega’s previous blog post.

Omega Environmental Services, Inc. has qualified and certified professionals (Certified Industrial Hygienists, Professional Engineers, Geologists, Certified Asbestos Consultants, Certified Lead Professionals, Toxicologists) that have the expertise to assist businesses in assessing and managing their hazardous materials.

References:

Statement on Building Dampness, Mold and Health. – California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

Moisture Control Guidance for Building Design, Construction and Maintenance – EPA

American Society of Testing Materials

Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration – Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification

Contact us for more about our mold inspection and testing service