If you have the home professionally inspected before you buy it, your home inspector may see obvious signs of mold or water damage. While it's not the inspector's job to look for mold, most home inspectors will mention obvious signs of water damage and possible mold. Air tests are performed to determine if mold is hidden in the house. Mold spores float in the air until they find an area conducive to growth.
If the surface is damp, mold spores can take hold and grow. Mold usually develops in dark, damp places, and spreads slowly over time. It may be some time before you notice mold, especially if it is forming in areas such as the attic, basement, or inside walls. When it comes to mold, prevention is the best way to combat it.
A musty or musty smell is a likely indicator and should be thoroughly investigated. Homeowners should be encouraged to locate and repair all pipe leaks and sources of water intrusion, which can quickly lead to mold growth. Home inspectors can be trained to identify mold, as well as enabling conditions and places where mold is likely to grow. Becoming certified as a mold inspector assures your customers that you understand the standards and safe practices for mold sampling and reporting.
It is important that the indoor air in the house and the outside air be analyzed. This allows a comparison of apples to blocks of indoor air. For example, if indoor air is 3 times higher than outdoor air in terms of the amount of mold spores, then you can safely say that there is a mold problem in the home. But if the indoor air is approximately the same as the outside air, then it would be considered normal.
Does UV Light Kill Mold? (3 reasons why it works). This is why mold growth is one of the main things home inspectors look for when completing an inspection. The cost of mold inspection may vary depending on the size and age of the house, as well as the location of the house. The cost of mold inspection may vary slightly from region to region, but the difference is generally quite small.
For example, if a home inspector does not perform a mold test, they will simply point out stains inside the property and recommend that a mold specialist evaluate. With growing awareness of the potential hazards of mold, home inspectors are trained to conduct a thorough mold inspection. A professional mold inspector usually performs different types of mold tests to ensure the most accurate results. However, if this inspection is for mold air sampling only, the inspector will search for areas of interest using his knowledge and equipment.
Home Inspection in CaliforniaOrange County Home InspectionsRiverside Home Inspections San Diego County Home InspectionLos Angeles Home InspectionsClovis Home Inspections Fresno Home Inspections San Jose Home Inspections. Mold inspections are by no means a requirement when buying a home, but getting one can save you thousands of dollars and a lot of stress. The scope of a mold inspection requires particular knowledge of HVAC systems, roofing, exterior, and plumbing systems. Most mold professionals (not home inspectors) don't usually inspect an entire home like a home inspector does; it will be much shorter.
Air Sampling for Mold InspectionsHow Home Inspectors Can Increase Sales of Mold Testing, Moisture, and Your Home (Consumer Article). In particular, be careful with companies that carry out inspections and remediation (cleaning) of mold. A typical mold inspection involves the inspector talking to the property owner about any areas where they have seen mold or where there have been moisture problems or water damage in the past. Although mold testing is outside the InterNACHI Residential Practice Standards, home inspectors can benefit from training in mold testing and offering this valuable, and sometimes changing, service to their customers.
.
