The Toxic Mold Podcast

Episode 382: Plumbing and Toxic Mold – What to Look For A slow drip behind a wall or under a sink can run for months before anyone notices, and by then a small leak has become a big mold problem. In this episode, Steve will go through the plumbing in your home and where the hidden risks are. Supply lines: PEX manifolds compared with older copper trunk-and-branch systems Shut-off valves: why old multi-turn valves are known to fail, and why you should switch to quarter-turn ball valves when you remodel Water heaters: mineral buildup, the temperature and pressure relief valve and its discharge pipe, and why a drain pan with a working drain line matters Drains: P-traps and sewer gas, vent pipes, and nails or screws that puncture drain lines inside walls Insurance: how clean-water leaks and sewage backups are classified differently on claims Outside: hose bibs and sprinkler systems Steve also explains why a whole-home water monitoring system is worth having. His takeaway is simple: look under your sinks and check your supply and drain lines regularly. Grab the mold investigation checklist https://cnccontractorservices.aweb.page/p/692d2803-38cc-4d54-bc77-e056fa59b968 We appreciate all of you and hope you have a great week!

Think mold in your attic, crawl space, basement or inside a wall can’t affect you because it’s not in your living space? Think again. In this episode, Steve will explain how air pressures inside a home are constantly changing, shifting between positive, neutral and negative many times an hour, and why that matters for your indoor air quality. Steve breaks down the “stack effect” myth and explains how everyday things like a stove hood fan, a furnace in the basement, or someone opening the front door can pull contaminated air from hidden areas straight into the rooms where you live. In this episode: What positive and negative air pressure really mean (with simple examples like a balloon near a cracked window and cracking car windows) How negative air is used during mold remediation, and what the containment plastic reveals about air movement Why “makeup air” means air has to come from somewhere, and that’s often your attic, crawl space or basement Why closing the door on a moldy basement or painting over mold doesn’t keep spores from migrating How changing air pressures can affect air test results, and why no single test answers every question Why hidden mold should never be ignored Bottom line: any mold is a concern, even if you can’t see it and even if it’s not in your living space. 📚 Steve’s books are available on Amazon in paperback, hardback, eBook and Audible. Search “Author Steve Worsley”: Mold Epidemic, Toxic Mold in My Home, Black Mold and Home Inspections, Inside Toxic Mold, and Building a Mold Resistant Home. https://tinyurl.com/SteveWorsleybooks 🏠 Worried your home is making you sick? Book a Mold Environment Assessment and Evaluation Plan, a 90-minute strategy call with Steve that includes personalized recommendations and next steps. https://www.cnccontractorservices.com/consulting 🎓 Mold education courses (Mold 101, Mycotoxin Prevention Kit) and consults: https://www.cnccontractorservices.com

In episode 380, Steve talks about a flat roof and how it leads to moisture intrusion and toxic mold. You should have a roof with a minimum pitch of 4/12. In areas like Wyoming that get snow, you should have a minimum pitch of a 6/12. Are you new to mold and you're not sure what to do next? Steve offers complimentary discovery calls to go over your concerns and decide what the next steps should be. Reach out to our team at info@cnccontractorservices.com We also offer digital bundles that are packed full of expert advice when it comes to toxic mold and mold sickness. Copy and paste the link to purchase your bundle. https://www.cnccontractorservices.com/themold101bundle We appreciate all of you and hope you have a great week!

In episode 379, Steve interviews the CEO of Puraclenz, Chris Dooley. In this interview, Chris will explain what types of air purifiers are the best for your home. Chris will explain what PCO technology is and how it works for IAQ. Chris will explain why Puraclenz is a great choice when it comes to air purifiers in your home. . We wrap up the interview with a code to purchase your air purifiers with a discount. You can use the promo code STEVE or go to the website puraclenz.com/steve We'd like to thank Chris for taking the time to be interviewed. We appreciate all of our listeners and hope you have a great week!

Crawlspaces and basements might seem like the same "dark space under the house" problem, but they're actually two very different environments — and that means two very different mold situations. In this episode, Steve breaks down what actually separates a crawlspace from a basement (hint: it's more than just headroom), why airflow and soil exposure make crawlspace mold its own beast, and why remediation down there is nowhere near as simple as it is in a finished basement. You'll learn: The real structural differences between a crawlspace and a basement — and why it matters for mold growth Which defects show up in both spaces (ventilation, grading, plumbing leaks) vs. what's unique to each Why crawlspace remediation is such a headache compared to basement remediation Simple, practical prevention steps for both spaces — from humidity gauges to vapor barriers to drip pans under water heaters Why routine inspection and maintenance is your best defense either way Whether you've got a crawlspace, a basement, or both, this episode will help you know exactly what to watch for and how to keep mold from taking hold. Here's the link for our Mold 101 bundle on our website. https://www.cnccontractorservices.com/themold101bundle We appreciate all of you and hope you have a great week!