MOLD
...it's a four letter word that no homeowner wants to hear.

​Organic growth on drywall ceiling in a basement below a plumbing fixture

​​Staining and growth on roof framing in a poorly ventilated attic

Black organic substance at bottom of framed wall in basement with flooding

When it comes to Mold Detection, you have 2 options:

OPTION #1: MOLD TESTING

• Often added as a service to a general home inspection, but can be done independently
• ​​Includes 2 air samples:  1) a control sample taken from outside  &   2) a test sample taken from inside
• Larger homes or homes with several areas of concern will require additional air samples, each with an additional lab fee
• When there is visible organic growth, samples can be swabbed and sent for identification by the lab
• The baseline level of mold spores taken from the outside will be compared to the test samples taken from the inside to determine if there is an elevated level of mold spores within the home. Test results are usually returned within 48 hours.

OPTION #2: MOLD INSPECTION

• Performed as an independent service when a general home inspection is not needed
• Includes Mold Testing service described above
• ​Assessment of the home to identify conditions that promote water intrusion and mold growth
• ​Report will give a clear explanation of any mold growth found
• Remediation protocol will outline a plan for remediators to follow and ensures mold contamination will be mitigated

Here is what you need to know:

Mold growth requires 4 things
1) EXISTING MOLD SPORES - Mold spores are everywhere, including in the air you are breathing right now.  They are not harmful under normal conditions in such low doses.  You cannot eliminate the presence of mold spores.
2) A FOOD SOURCE - All building materials are a food source for mold.  If you plan to live under shelter, you cannot eliminate the food source.
3) FAVORABLE TEMPERATURES - Mold grows at temperatures that are comfortable for humans.  If you want to be comfortable in your home, so will mold, so you cannot eliminate mold with temperature control.
4) MOISTURE - Mold needs elevated moisture to thrive, so the only way to control mold is to keep moisture low in the home.  Mold and uncontrolled moisture are synonymous. Water could come from plumbing leaks, leaking foundation walls, a leaking roof, or it can come from exterior sources around your windows and doors.  

Not all mold can be seen
Ever walk into a basement and it just smells "wet?"  What about when water leaks behind a finished wall, like a roof leak behind a finished attic or foundation wall leak behind a finished basement?  Just because you can't see any visible signs of unhealthy conditions, that doesn't mean it isn't there.  How do we find mold in these cases?  We TEST, by taking a sampling of the air to determine if there are elevated levels of mold present.  

Even if we find it, you still need to test it
Sure, we all think we know what mold looks like, but the only way to confirm a substance is indeed mold is to take a sample and send it to a laboratory for analysis.   Scrapings or substance testing is done if there is visible organic growth.  Without the laboratory's findings, it's just the inspector's opinion and it can only be considered a suspicious substance.

Mold tests have limitations
Testing is limited to the readily accessible areas within the property. Mold can exist in inaccessible areas such as behind walls and under carpeting. Furthermore, test results are a snapshot in time - they are based on the condition of the property at the precise time and date of the testing. The report is only indicative of the presence or absence of mold at the time of testing. Mold grows, quite quickly under the right conditions, so it is essential that any moisture issue is dealt with immediately upon discovery. Lastly, it is important to note that there are no health-based safety standards for mold levels, so mold testing will not tell you if the mold is harmful or if there is a harmful level of mold.  It simply tells you what types of spores are detected and if the level of mold spores is elevated when compared to the outside.  

Best In Class Inspections is always assessing mold potential
Whether we are performing your home inspection, or you hired us specifically for a mold inspection, Best In Class Inspections is always particularly concerned with the potential for mold.   We are diligently looking for signs of existing or previous water intrusion, unhealthy conditions, and anything that looks like organic growth. If we see something that looks like growth, we flag it for testing.  If there is an observed or known history of flooding and/or water damage, we recommend testing.  Armed with multiple moisture meters and thermal imagers, Best in Class Inspections is using all tools in its arsenal to help with the discovery of mold. 

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