In this image there is apparent mold growing on the ceiling. A swab or tape test will need to be done to confirm that it is indeed an organic mold growth. Furthermore upon confirmation there needs to be an immediate plan for remediation, and all persons living in the space need to be informed.
I chose the image of the mold pump. In this image you can see that the inspector is setting up the collector portion of the pump at about 4 feet high which is withing the preferable 3 to 6 foot high zone. This height is based off of the location of the average persons breathing zone.
Performing mold detection through various cues during a home inspection is an important aspect a home inspection.
Whether there is a musty or mildew smell, moisture intrusion, visual accounts, or even reports of previous mold issues, all of these can aid a home inspector in preparation for the home inspection.
Mold, Moisture, and your Home is a very informative article for the homeowner in identifying potential mold issues in the home, how to properly deal with it, and how to properly dress while trying to address the problem as a first line of defense.
The exhaust fan should be vented to the exterior to prevent moisture and condensation build up inside the home. This may be the reason for widespread discoloration observed in attic that appeared to be possibly mold. Confirming the presence of mold would require mold testing and laboratory analysis. To avoid potential damage to home materials or the development of unhealthy conditions related to mold, its recommended that the source of moisture be identified and the condition corrected by a qualified licensed contractor.
Here is a picture of a leaking toilet drain within a foundation. The area had a pool of water beneath and the wood above was saturated. What looked like mold growth was also found on the foundation wall but could not be confirmed.
The article on mold recapped the cleaning and prevention of moldy areas and how different areas should be treated. Its important that any leaks be repaired, harder surfaces exposed to mold should be scrubbed and dried and taking the proper safety measure with proper ppe to not expose yourself to mold while cleaning.
The attached picture of the A/C condensate pan shows a defect that may contribute to a mold condition in the property. It is recommended that a qualified HVAC technician repair or replace the defective components correcting the condensate pan overflowing onto the adjacent filter area(possible mold hazzard), and a condition where mold may form in the HVAC system itself. This improper overflow may also damage other elements of the heating unit including control boards, unit corrosion, and other HVAC mechanicals.
Regarding Article: 10 Easy Ways to Save Money & Energy in Your Home. While the article is more specifically slanted to saving energy. There is an added benefit to sealing around windows and doors that most homeowners may not understand. This will also help you better control the relative humidity (RH) in your house, where your furnace and airconditioning system will function more effectively, by reducing air infiltration that can swing your indoor RH, contributing to your adjusting your thermostat more often. Sealing around windows and doors will also prevent water from entering the structure which will prevent the main cause of mold, which is a source of moisture.
In this photo you can see that there is a leak at one of the elbows on the gutter downspouts. For the sake of the details we will assume that I had already inspected the other downspouts and determined that they too were leaking or terminating at the foundation. This would be a good reason to suspect possible moisture intrusion in the crawl space and warrants further investigation.
For my essay I chose to review an image from the nachi gallery titled condensation in the attic. It illustrates a a few reasons attic condensation can form and how it, in most cases can go undetected. Its good to have a good idea of the condition of your attic and to take a look inside from time to time just to make sure things are the way they should be.
Dryer Exhaust Vent
The dryer exhaust vent is damaged and terminates in the crawl space. Recommend replacing the dryer exhaust vent and directing it to the exterior of the house to prevent excessive moisture buildup in the crawl space. Excessive moisture could potentially lead to the mold/fungus growth.
Sources of Moisture
The following items may contribute to elevated moisture levels and potentially cause mold growth.
This is an image of apparent mold growth in an attic, with heavy moisture. Mold can damage wood and other building materials within the attic and may contaminate attic insulation and other areas of the house. Possible sources of moisture can be a leak in the roof, leaky pipes, high humidity or poor ventilation. Leaks should be fixed and additional vents should be added or existing vents cleared of insulation or debris covering them.
Molds are organisms that are found indoors and outdoors. They are part of the natural environment and play an important role in our ecological system by breaking down and digesting organic material. Molds are neither plants nor animals. They are part of the kingdom Fungi.
Vital documents every mold inspector should have at an inspection and consult:
a work ledger;
the IAC2 Mold Inspection Standards of Practice;
a Mold Inspection Agreement;
an IAC2 Mold-Sampling Decision Chart;
"Ten Questions to Ask the Building's Owner";
a Chain-of-Custody form; and
the IAC2 Mold Sampling Procedures.
During a home inspection sometimes Mold is more than obvious. As shown in this photo the mold can consume a basement over time. As an inspector the priority here is to protect yourself and clients from exposure before continuing the inspection
Fungi do not make their own food the way that green plants do. Fungi get nourishment from other living organisms. The main role of fungi in the ecosystem is to break down dead materials, such as fallen leaves, trees, insects and animals carcasses. The same enzymes that assist fungi in breaking down dead materials are what help fungi to damage wooden components in a building. Molds can damage food, stored goods, and building materials of houses.
I WOULD HAVE MY CHAIN OF COMMAND FILLED OUT WITH THE OWNER NAME AND LOCATION. 1ST I WOULD TAKE A VISUAL INSPECTION AND SEE IF I SEE ANY STAINING OR MOLD SMELL ASK THE TENANT IF THEY SEEN ANY WATER INTRUSION. START MY HYPOTHESIS ON THE MOLD. AFTER SEEING THE CEILING IN THE APARTMENT AND THE BRICK ON THE EXTERIOR I WOULD TAKE 2 AIR SAMPLES ON THE EXTERIOR AND AS MANY SAMPLES THAT ARE NEEDED ON THE INSIDE I WOULD ALSO CHECK THE LEVEL OF THE AIR CONDITION SEE HOW IT IS PITCHED. AFTER THE SAMPLES ARE TAKEN I WILL SEND IT TO THE LAB AND GET A REPORT.THE I WOULD GO OVER THE REPORT WITH THE OWNER.
I read “Reentering a flooded home” which describes the precautions and steps for entering a house after it has been flooded. The danger in a flooded home is the growth of mold after flooding. As soon as it is safe to reenter, open and air out the home as soon as weather permits. The next step is to mechanically dry out the house. The power should be inspected to make sure it is safe to turn it back on. If necessary, an electrician should be consulted. Once power is turned back on, wet vacs, pumps, and fans should be used to remove residual water and dry out the house. At this point, it is advisable to have the HVAC system cleaned to prevent the spread of mold as well as a professional carpet cleaning. If mold is a concern at this point, a certified tester should be consulted.