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Cold Causes Mold?
By William Henry PhD
Recently our firm, RGA Architects, LLC was retained to provide expert testimony to assess the cause of significant amounts of toxic mold growth caused by the winter cold snaps.
Unlike mold caused by water penetration, mold caused by cold snaps is due to significant variation in temperatures, like the huge swings from warm to cold we experienced during the winter season in the Bay area.
When improper construction techniques meet normal human activity, the results can be disastrous. Activities like excessive showers and baths, or washing clothes with improper ventilation, can cause an excess amount of warm, humid air to be trapped inside the living area.
The humid air can then meet the cold surfaces of improperly insulated walls and, occasionally, mold can begin to grow on the inside surfaces of exterior walls.
Upon first examination, one might determine that the mold was caused by water penetration from the outside.
This is the most common cause of mold growth in living areas. Further examination, however, could reveal the mold to be caused by cold weather, coupled with improper insulation and poor ventilation.
To prevent a mold outbreak in the event of a cold snap, it is extremely important to ensure that walls are properly insulated during construction, particularly when the residence houses families who may frequently shower, bathe, and wash clothes.
RGA Architects, LLC is a well-known architectural and construction management firm based in Tampa, Florida. RGA is headed by Dr. William Henry, both an architect and certified expert witness who issues opinions and testimony concerning design and construction related matters. Having designed over 250 landmark buildings in the state of Florida, he has represented and testified for both plaintiffs and defendants in cases involving code violations such as associated with design and construction defects as well as American Disabilities Act – ‘ADA’ violations. William Henry, PhD (Bill) may be reached at (813) 226.2220 or bhenry@rga-design.com [2].
Copyright © 2011 REAL Magazine
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