Mold Inspections

Where there is moisture there is mold, and mold can cause health issues as well as damages to your property. If your property has a musty smell or water stains around the kitchen, bathroom, walls, ceilings, or floors, you may need a mold inspection to investigate the origin, identity, location, and extent of the amplication of mold based on physical samples and building history.

Health and Property Damage Concerns

If indoor mold contamination becomes extensive, it can cause very high and persistent airborne spore exposure. People exposed to these high spore levels can become sensitized, and develop allergies to the mold, or have other existing health problems be exacerbated. Mold growth can also damage your furnishings, closets (clothes and shoes), and structural elements in your home.

Environmental Mold Assessment Stages

+ Mold Investigation

+ Lab Testing

+ Indoor Air Quality Testing

+ Full Written Report

Stage 1: Visual Inspection

A visual inspection is the most important step a property owner can take in identifying a potential mold contamination problem. This is the least expensive service available, and can often be sufficient in identifying the presence of mold, defining the problem, and offering adequate corrective solutions for ridding the building of mold contamination.

Stage 2: Bulk / Surface Sampling

Bulk / surface sampling is conducted to identify specific fungal contaminants, or to identify the presence or absence of mold if visual inspection is unclear in its determination. Surface samples are collected by wiping a measured area with a sterile swab, or by stripping the suspect surface with transparent tape and affixing it to a laboratory slide for analysis.

Stage 3: Air Sampling

Air sampling for mold is conducted to assess the extent of contamination throughout the buillding. Moreover, air sampling may be conducted if the presence of mold is suspected but cannot be identified by visual inspection or through bulk / surface sampling. Air sampling that is conducted for comparative purposes will include outdoor air samples collected concurrently at an air intake and at a location representative of the outdoor air. Air sampling is conducted while the ventilation system is operating.

Tips

Allow 2 to 2 1/2 hours for home inspection
The buyer is advised to be present at time of inspection
Contact the property owner to confirm date & time of inspection
Provide us with buyer's & seller's addresses and phone numbers
Make sure all of the following are turned on for the inspection: Water, electric, gas, and hot water heater
Owners should remove all items that may block access to garages, closets, attics, air conditioners and electric panel box
Contact us at least 24 hours prior to inspection if your appointment needs to be re-scheduled