Mold- Due to the increase in concern and awareness of mold in the home, we offer a variety of mold sampling services, including;

1. AMBIENT AIR sampling- This captures mold spores flying around in the air within the home.  A more expensive type of test, but the most accurate for determining health hazards and can detect molds that are not visible.

2. PHYSICAL sampling- Taking a physical sample of a visibly suspected area.  We can know if that sampled spot is mold and what kind of mold.

Call for more information and prices on the mold sampling we provide.

Below are some things we have found.

>Crawlspace danger- Much has been written on mold, especially stachybotrys (also called "black mold").  It is NOT common that we find stachybotrys, however we have found it, as pictured here to the right in this crawlspace.  Believe it or not, this insulation was originally white. Stachybotrys, along with Aspergillus and Penicillium is known to cause irritations in many persons respiratory systems.  Fortunately almost all molds can be cleaned up and systems be installed to prevent them from coming back. For more information on mold, please visit our "info library" on this website.

<Attics- By far the most common place we find mold, including those that are non-irritant molds and nothing more than a nuisance to clean up, are in attics.  Because it is outside the everyday living envelope, it would probably be less cause for irritation.  However, many people susceptible to molds would be affected by mold in the attic. The type of mold can NOT be determined by sight alone, a microscope and a trained eye are needed.  This attic could have been any number of molds, some causing irritation, others not.  Until we know what kind of substance it is, we prefer to call all mold looking material as "dark staining".

>Usually attic sheathings mold occurs from elevated humidity into the attic envelope.  At right, we see the bathroom vent being discharged into the attic.  When the warm moist air from the bathroom touches the cold wood sheathing in the winter, condensation develops, causing mold to develop.  Proper ventilation helps, but proper routing of bath, dryer and fresh air intakes to utility rooms also help prevent mold development.

<Here we can see how the dark staining has limited itself to the lower (and poorly ventilated) soffit eves area.  This is because the upper parts of the attic were well ventilated in this case and the lower portions of the attic were less insulated.  Higher than ideal household humidity filtered up into the attic.  Crawlspaces without vapor barriers and furnaces with the humidifier turned up too high can cause these issues in the attic.

>Insulation itself can also grow mold.  Here we see that household humidity filtrated through the attic hatch door and other poorly covered areas and cause a general grey tinge to the insulation that was originally bright yellow.

<Plaster walls- can also experience a mold problem as seen in photo to left.  Normally we only take samples of areas about 1 square foot in size or larger. This spot is about four square feet in size.

>Drywall- Because paper faces both sides of drywall, it is a common area for mold to grow.  Here, photo right, it is probably best to just remove the drywall.

All of the above concerns are repairable. Although it may not have effected our clients buying decision, all our clients really appreciated just knowing about these concerns.  We realize you have a choice in home inspectors, we hope you make a wise choice in hiring Home Check America.   Because your peace of mind matters.