BUYERS
Why An Inspection?
New Construction
Radon
Mold
Inspection Agreement
Your Inspection Report
SELLERS
Why An Inspection?
Inspection Agreement
HOMEOWNERS
Why An Inspection?
Radon
Mold
REALTORS
Why An Inspection?
Red Flags
Sample Home Inspection Report
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MOLD
Everyday we face concerns that can affect our personal health, safety, and comfort. Just how much of a problem is mold? Like many newly recognized environmental issues, mold is one of the problems about which we do not have an abundance of governmental guidance. However, here are some of the things we do know:
- Mold is everywhere. You can’t get rid of it, but you can reduce the amount in your home. Everybody reacts differently to mold types and amounts. Only a doctor is qualified to advise you of the affects to you and your family. A qualified mold inspector can only visually identify large surface colonies of mold. Samples sent to a lab can identify the types and species. You still need the doctor to advise you on health effects. An air sample will give you more information on the presence and types of mold in your house. This is an effective way to tell what you’re breathing. An outside air sample is taken at the same time for comparison, and both must be analyzed in a lab. You still need the doctor. Mold can germinate and produce living colonies in 24-48 hours. Mold is a symptom, water is the problem. Mold won’t grow without water, and mold will continue to grow unless you eliminate the water that is feeding it. Has there been a recent incursion of water?
- Since mold grows so quickly and is present everywhere in the air, a test is only a reflection of the conditions present at the time of the test. However, it is a safe assumption that mold will continue to grow unless its source of water is eliminated. Likewise, mold counts will decrease with the water gone.
For more information about MOLD, log on to the Environmental
Protection Agency website at http://www. epa.gov.
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