What is Mold Inspection?

What can I expect from a mold inspection?

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. The inspector will go over the house thoroughly, looking in places known to be prone to mold growth.

Is mold inspection part of home inspection?

there are also states that don't require home inspectors to be licensed but do require mold testers to be licensed. A mold inspection starts as a home inspection, which is a non-invasive, visual examination of the home's interior and exterior, and its various systems and components.

Can a home inspection kill a deal?

When the findings uncovered in a home inspection significantly alter the buyer's expectations about what they thought they were buying, this causes problems. ... Here are the top three reasons buyers cancel a deal after the inspection
 

What things fail a home inspection?

The most common electrical issues include wiring that's not up to code, frayed wiring, or improperly wired electrical panels. Plumbing issues: Leaky pipes (and resulting water damage), failing water heaters, and sewer system problems are some of the most expensive.

Should you walk away from a house with mold?

The home you are looking to buy fails inspection due to mold, termites and a compromised foundation. If you are not used to fixing these kinds of issues or have the budget to do so, walk away. Mold can be cured, but termites and foundation problems can be very costly to repair.

How do you know if mold is making you sick?

Symptoms of mold exposure  may include headache, sore throat, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, watery eyes and fatigue. In those with asthma, asthma attacks can occur. In those with impaired immune systems, serious infection can occur.
 

How do you detox your body from mold?

ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
Activated charcoal has been used by the medical community for years to rid patients of poisons and toxic substances gently and easily. Studies show that activated charcoal is successful in treating patients with mold-related toxicity symptoms. To use activated charcoal, take capsules by mouth with water as directed. Do not take with drugs for constipation or with tricyclic antidepressants, digoxin, theophylline, or acetaminophen.
PROBIOTICS
Probiotics are a wonderful, natural way to detox your body from toxic mold — and they’re good for you, even if you don’t have a mold issue. Studies show many strains of probiotics directly attack mycotoxins and remove them safely from your system. Probiotics come in capsules, liquids, and are present in many fermented foods.
BENTONITE CLAY
In a way similar to charcoal, bentonite clay binds mold toxins and eliminates them from your system. A series of studies using a similar clay, Novasil, showed that the clay safely and effectively removed the mycotoxins without inhibiting micronutrient absorption or interaction with other substances. To take bentonite clay for mold, take one capsule per day. It can be taken in addition to activated charcoal for better results.

How quickly can mold make you sick?

Those who process toxins well can see their symptoms disappear as quickly as a few days. Others who eliminate toxins slowly can experience symptoms for much longer. They could be ill for months or even years after the source of mold is eliminated.

When should you see a doctor for mold exposure?

In 2009, the World Health Organization issued additional guidance, the WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mould . Other recent studies have suggested a potential link of early mold exposure to development of asthma in some children, particularly among children who may be genetically susceptible to asthma development, and that selected interventions that improve housing conditions can reduce morbidity from asthma and respiratory allergies.

A link between other adverse health effects, such as acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage among infants, memory loss, or lethargy, and molds, including the mold Stachybotrys chartarum  has not been proven. Further studies are needed to find out what causes acute idiopathic hemorrhage and other adverse health effects.

There is no blood test for mold.  Some physicians can do allergy testing for possible allergies to mold, but no clinically proven tests can pinpoint when or where a particular mold exposure took place.

How do you get tested for mold exposure?

• Blood test. Your doctor takes a blood sample and then sends it to a laboratory to measure the number of certain antibodies, which can indicate your immune system's sensitivity to different mold species.
• Skin prick test.

What is a mold test?

Broadly speaking, most mold testing involves taking a sample of either the air or a surface. Essentially, a mold inspector "tests" the air or surface to find out what kind of mold exists and/or if the mold found is able to grow in the area tested.

How do you detox your body from mold?

I also recommend liver detox support like glutathione, NAC, milk thistle, minerals, vitamin C and the B vitamins. Sweating via exercise or a sauna is another great way to reduce mycotoxin levels in the body

How does living with mold affect you?

Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of mold health effects, or none at all. Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin.

What is the difference between mold and black mold?

The topic of mold is usually associated with the well-known species of mold that is referred to as “black mold”. Black mold is a mold species that has a dark green or black appearance, hints the name associated with this mold, however, the most common species of this mold is actually known as Stachybotrys Chartarum.

How do you prepare for a mold inspection?

• Avoid Exterior Ventilation – Close exterior windows and doors for 24-48 hours prior to inspection to allow accumulation of potential volatile organic compounds that may be present. Since lab results and environmental readings are compared with outdoor fungal levels, we recommend keeping ventilation to a minimum.
• Remove clutter from under sink areas in bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas where mold may be suspected. Avoid heavy cleaning such as vacuuming, dusting, or sweeping for 24-48 hours.
• Avoid spraying chemicals such as Lysol, bleach, Simple Green, etc. for 48 hours.
• Turn off air purifiers, air cleaners, humidifiers or dehumidifiers for 24-48 hours.
• No construction for 24-48 hours as it generates dust and particles that will affect air and surface contact readings.

How do you know if mold is making you sick?

Symptoms of mold exposure may include headache, sore throat, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, watery eyes and fatigue. In those with asthma, asthma attacks can occur. In those with impaired immune systems, serious infection can occur.

What are signs of mold in your house?

• Our air conditioning or heating smells weird.
• The grout between your shower tiles is dark.
• Your wallpaper is peeling.
• You feel like you have a cold that just won't go away.
• You find dark or colored spots on your walls.
• Your asthma mysteriously worsens. You feel itchy.

What does black mold smell like in a house?

To tell if black mold may be growing in your home, just follow your nose. Black mold is musty, earthy smell, like dirt and rotting leaves, is a telltale sign of mold's presence. Stachybotrys smells especially strong. ... But even if you see mold, that's no guarantee that it's black mold.

How do companies check for mold?

Broadly speaking, most mold testing involves taking a sample of either the air or a surface. Essentially, a mold inspector "tests" the air or surface to find out what kind of mold exists and/or if the mold found is able to grow in the area tested.

How do I test my house for mold?

The following are some of the most common spots for mold to grow undetected and, therefore, smart locations to test for mold:

• Behind your refrigerator
• Beneath stacks of newspapers or cardboard
• Behind the drywall in wall stud spaces that contain plumbing lines
• Below sinks
• Behind the wallboard around leaking windows
• In ventilation ducts Under carpeting that was wet at one time (flooding, carpet cleaning)
• Backside of acoustic ceiling tiles (if roof leaked)
• Behind any drywall that has been subjected to flooding

How do you know if mold is behind drywall?

Your sense of smell is the first line of defense against mold. You can often smell mold before you can see it. If you notice a musty smell in your home, there’s a good chance you have mold. If you think you have a mold problem, get on your hands and knees and smell the electrical outlets. As silly as it sounds, this is not a practical joke. Outlets have better access to the area behind walls, and smelling them can help pinpoint the mold problem. If mold is there, you’ll be able to smell it.

What does mold smell like in a house?

Mold does not always have a strong smell but when it is present, it's often described as musty. Others have described mold smelling earthy, meaty or resembling the odor of wet socks or rotten wood. For many homeowners, the smell is unpleasant and pungent.