Frequently Asked Questions
Basements
Kitchens (bottom of fridge)
Around bathroom vanities
Washer/dryer area
The underside of carpets and pads
The surface of walls behind furniture (where condensation forms)
Ceilings and the top side of ceiling tiles
Due to the growing concerns of mold in the home and the effects on health, Mold Inspections are becoming a common practice. You should not buy a home or live in a home with mold. A mold inspection is your first line of defense!
A general mold inspection begins with a visual inspection of a home to determine if you have mold or the potential for mold growth in the future.
Some minor conditions may be treated without calling a professional. But in most cases professionals should be called. Proper containment is required.
Mold requires moisture or water and a substrate or surface to grow on. High humidity, typically more than 65%, may also provide an ample source of moisture for mold growth. Substrates such as wood, wallboard, ceiling tiles, carpet, wallpaper, paneling, and leather items are favorite breeding grounds.
Surface molds spread by eating everything they come in contact with. When surface molds are disturbed, they produce mold spores which become airborne and reproduce more spores.
Testing for mold is oftentimes helpful in determining the level of contamination, finding hidden mold growth, and establishing clearance verification. Air samples, lift tape samples, and swab samples are common types of mold tests. Be sure to ask your certified mold inspector whether testing is recommended in your circumstance.
Most building science experts agree, building a vented crawl space in an area with a humid climate is a bad idea. At approximately 65%RH (relative humidity) in the crawl space, there is enough moisture in the air for mold to grow on building materials. This condition exists virtually year-round in the Southeast.
Yes, up to 50% of the air you breathe comes from your crawlspace.
It is not enough to just dry out the space. You must first remediate the mold, then encapsulate and control the moisture to prevent further contamination.
