Mold Inspections

Molds can be found anywhere and virtually grow on any substance.

Protect your investment and your health…

 Why is Mold a problem today?

Since the 1970′s, when there was a shortage of oil, home construction has changed dramatically. It is now common practice to heavily insulate homes, wrap the exterior with a vapor barrier, and create less ventilation from the outside air. This can cause the potential for mold growth if there is a water event. According to statistics from the Bureau of the Census, 35% of homes are damaged due to water or moisture yearly. With the wood, cellulose, and other organic materials used in buildings, this is now a fertile platform for mold growth.

All buildings can be affected by excessive moisture. The source of the water intrusion must be identified and fixed to prevent further mold growth. Suspected visible mold growth can only be determined by Laboratory analysis for positive identification.

Identifying mold or mold problems should be done by a trained inspector who is knowledgeable in all factors of mold growth. A thorough inspection by Accuracy Assured Home Inspections will identify all possible causes of mold growth within the premises. I can also take the appropriate samples for laboratory analysis of suspected mold growth.

Health and Mold

Mold is a fungus. The main purpose of mold is to break down dead materials, like wood and fiber that are used in building materials. There are good molds and bad molds. Some molds are used in making antibiotics, beer, and cheese, for example, while other types of molds can cause serious health effects.

Mold growth can start as soon as 24 hours after a water event has occurred. Mold can often be seen in the form of a discoloration or a stain. When molds are present in large quantities, called colonies, they become a health concern. Some people are sensitive to molds. Exposure to molds can cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation and can trigger Asthma episodes. Some people, such as those with serious allergies to molds, may have more severe reactions. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath. Some people with chronic lung illness, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs.

Mold growth in a building is often hidden!

You may  suspect hidden mold if the occupants are reporting health issues or there is a musty odor or history of water intrusion. Mold may be hidden in places such as the back side of drywall, wallpaper, or paneling, the top side of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets and pads. Other areas can be behind walls or above ceiling tiles where moisture has occurred or around windows and inside ductwork. There are many places for mold to “hide” and only a trained Inspector with the proper equipment can find these hiding places.

My Mission

Committed to providing the most thorough and comprehensive Mold inspection and testing available; using state-of-the-art assessment procedures and equipment to completely evaluate the air quality in your home or business and identify the sources of moisture and water intrusion that may be causing mold growth which can affect the property value and occupants health is my target.

• I offer both Residential and Commercial Services.
• I am fully trained and certified in Mold inspection and Assessment.
• The services provided are efficient, accurate and always completed in a timely and professional manner.
• Culturable sampling methods are available to provide Health Care Professionals with the speciation of molds found.
• Once I have inspected your property I will provide you with a full report and laboratory findings

Mold Inspection Processes

Limited Mold Sampling:

The purpose of limited mold sampling is to detect the presence of microbial contamination in client defined areas of the subject property. This level of service consists of taking appropriate samples in specified locations. This service provides a fast economical method to determine if and what types of mold are in a defined affected area. The limitations of this service are that other sources of mold in the home may go undetected.

Mold Screen:

This level of Mold Inspection utilizes a visual assessment of the entire house, identification of any “red flags” for mold, and limited sampling for mold. If “red flags” are found in multiple areas, the client will be advised and offered the chance to have additional sampling performed in any/all identified areas and also the chance to upgrade to a Mold Survey. The Mold Screen is usually performed as a routine adjunct to a normal home inspection associated with a real estate transfer, requested and paid for by the buyer. The value of this service is that all “red flags” are identified. It is limited since complete sampling and further field assessment are required to write remediation specifications for the site.

  Mold Survey:

The purpose of the mold survey is to detect the presence of a microbial problem in all readily accessible areas of the subject property following prescribed protocols, and collect appropriate data elements to enable remediation specifications to be produced. The value of this service is that it identifies, determines cause and provides corrective measures for all mold sources discovered in the entire house. A limitation is that it is non-intrusive and hidden areas of mold may go undetected.