Here are some things you should consider before buying a house with mold.
Mold Testing
My first house was contaminated with mold. I hired a professional to assess it. After completing the inspection of my house, the inspector gave me a detailed report that showed the different mold strains and their concentrations. It was comforting to know that I did not have toxic black mold Stachybotrys Chartarum. However, it was no surprise that my house was full of mold.
The water assessment was, however, the most valuable. With a moisture sensor, the mold inspector inspected the entire house. He showed me where water was leaking into the house framing and causing mold and decay. The mold inspector discovered that rainwater was also seeping into the basement through invisible roof leaks.
Foundation seepage is more important than mold.
Together, we checked out the house and I was able to confirm that it was structurally sound. My peace of mind was restored when I realized that my problem was not about carpentry but cleanup.
I was impressed with the results of the mold inspection, but I don’t think I would pay for another one. If you have a flashlight and are willing to go around looking for mold, water damage and mold can be easily identified. I wouldn’t pay for another mold inspection except:
Although I had repaired all the problems I could, there were still some issues such as undiagnosed allergic reactions.
I was looking to buy a house with mold remediation and wanted to make sure everything was done correctly.
Water damaged, moldy drywall must be removed!
Facts about Mold
Here are some things you should know about mold in your house:
- Mold is MoldSome molds are more harmful than others. However, all molds can be remediated in the same way.
- The Problem is MoistureMoldy houses are usually caused by water infiltration or prolonged humidity levels above 60%. Mold can’t be eradicated unless you address the humidity and water problems.
- Do more than kill mold: Mold should not be killed. It must be treated by removing the mold growth, replacing any wet materials, and fixing moisture issues.
- Repairs can be costly: Mold growth may indicate larger problems like poor drainage or foundation problems. It is often more important to make the necessary repairs than mold growth.
- To grow, mold needs high humidity or moisture.
How to Avoid Mold Inspection Frauds
Mold inspection and remediation have become a highly profitable business in recent years thanks to the increased awareness about toxic mold testing in west palm beach. This has also opened the door to many scams that will try to get you to pay top dollar for unneeded testing or poor “remediation” plans.
These tips will help you make an informed decision about whether to conduct a mold inspection.
No mold inspection license: There are currently no certifications or official licenses from the government for professional mold inspectors. This means that there are not no legal standards and government-regulated credentials. However, I recommend that anyone you hire to perform remediation work is licensed as a general contractor.
Avoid conflict of interest avoid companies that offer both mold remediation and testing services. It’s likely that someone selling service will “find” something that scares people into signing up for cleanup.
Mold on the foundation wall.
You get what you pay for scammers will not permit mold inspections to be free. You should seek out and pay for separate inspections and remediation services.
Clearance Sale: You may wish to have the original inspector (not a remediator) return to your home to retest for mold.
Concentrate on the problem: Secondary samples, surface swabs, or testing of clothing or furniture are not required. You can bet there is mold on your sofa if it is in the air. Instead, focus on finding out where the mold originated and what you can do to fix it. The moisture assessment was far more helpful than air sampling for me, and I wouldn’t hire any company that didn’t offer it.
You can observe the inspection: Scammers may increase the heat or shake out pillows or rugs to release more spores. This can be prevented by being present during the inspection.
Do not fall for gimmicksBiocides, biocides and fumigants can make mold more dangerous than the actual mold. They also don’t stop it from growing at its source. Mold must be removed completely, moisture problems fixed, and wet materials dried or replaced. Other mold-killing services are a waste of money.
EPA Recommendations on Mold Testing
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggests a commonsense approach for mold. If you see visible mold growth, there is no need to have a mold inspection. There are no federal standards for mold levels so there is no way to pass or fail an inspection. However, you can test the project to see if everything is in order.
