The image I have taken is of a visibly moldy spot underneath a kitchen sink. It looks like the moisture from a leaking pipe or rear of the sink has gotten to the wood creating a moldy smell and a dark visual potential growth.
To confirm it is mold I would recommend doing a swab test.
If the tests come back positive for mold growth recommendations for the remediation process would be cleaning the area with a biocide or removing and replacing the wood altogether. Also I would recommend a professional plumber to take a look at the pipes and where the potential leak is coming from. This will stop any forth moisture penetration and future mold growth.
A post swab test could be applied to make sure no mold is growing after remediation, but is not necessary if the smell and visual mold seems to be gone and the area dry.
This course has been a great tool for me to increase my knowledge of mold and how to properly inspect home for potential growth. A major key to an inspection is to never come to a conclusion just with a hypothesis of the situation.
As mold inspectors we should conduct our inspections thoroughly in a step by step procedure. Detecting moisture intrusion, improper venting, lack of insulation, above average humidity levels/temperatures, ect are some of the steps that allow us to begin to figure out the issue within the property.
If necessary we can also provide our customers with many types of test to make sure the mold levels in the air are equal to the one outdoors and not elevated. This can help determine if the remediation has been done correctly.
Upon entering the home there was a strong mildew odor that would lead the inspector to believe there is moisture present. The readings were very elevated and further inspection was done. The inspection resulted in a busted ¾ in pipe being found that was the cause of the water intrusion.
The research that I chose to delve into was the air quality. I reviewed the images surrounding the Air Quality. What I found was the way the air filters work in conjunction with the unit. It certainly makes more sense the way they function as one.
This was found during a recent inspection of a property. This view is just one of the any areas where mold was growing. The source or driving problem was a undetected leak in a drain line from the kitchen above. From the extent it appears to have been leaking for quite sometime.
I just read through an article in the library about mold. The part of moisture control peaked my interest since I run into that on almost every inspection. Items like poor grading, clogged or mis-directed downspouts seems to be a common thread. Stressing the importance of keeping the moisture out of the home is usually a discussion I have with the buyer during the inspection.
The basement of this old house had a musty odor and there was visible water intrusion and damage along the back foundation wall. The source of the leak appears to be a hole in the foundation wall next to a sewage pipe that is no longer used. This moisture intrusion could promote mold growth.
It appears that there may be mold on parts of the wall and the floor. I would recommend a tape or swab sample be sent to a lab to confirm whether it is mold or not. Either way, I would also recommend that the standing water be cleaned up, that the area be dried, and that the water entry point be fixed and sealed to prevent further moisture intrusion.
I read the article on moisture meters. These tools are used by inspectors to confirm whether materials have an elevated moisture content. If something has a moisture content higher than it should (for example wood should be below 20%) than it is susceptible to damage and potential mold growth. There are pin type and pinless moisture meters. Every inspector should use a moisture meter.
Attached is a picture of an attic gable wall. As you can see there is excessive moister buildup on the wall just above the insulation and continuing up the whole wall. The attic was properly vented for its size and the airflow could be felt moving through the attic. This indicated there must be a leak or broken pipe, or duct venting into the attic. With further inspection, there was no leak coming into the room from the roof, however there was a bathroom fan duct that had not been secured. The duct had separated and was venting into the attic causing the excessive moister.
I just read the article on moisture intrusion, in relation to the mold course I’m taking. I find it very interesting the difference in building styles depending on the region of the country you are in. I will be looking to take some specialized classes on my areas building because what is true for proper building in Florida is not always true for Alaska. I appreciate the wealth of information provided here.
Upon inspection of the crawl space, it was noted that a portion of the crawl space had excessive moisture on the foundation wall.
Upon inspecting the exterior, it was noted that the grade in that area was not sloping away from the house at the required 50% slope (6 inches in 10 feet), and the ground was at the level of the top of the foundation, where water intrusion is most prevalent.
The downspout was also on this corner and did not effectively direct water away from the house.
There was not any apparent indications of mold in the crawl space at this time.
Recommendation:
Change the configuration of the downspout to direct water from the house
Change the grade in the affected area so that water can be effectively directed away from the house
This article presents a description and use of the two types of moisture meters:
Pin
Search
The pin type of moisture meter is described as being used to detect moisture at the surface and at incremental depths using probes (pins).
The search mode type of moisture is described as being used to detect moisture beneath the surface in areas such as bathrooms, and kitchens.
If a moisture meter encounters metal, such as wires, or ducts, then a false reading will be sent to the inspector. If this is suspected, then more readings will be necessary to confirm the hypothesis relating to the presence of moisture within the inspected area(s).
I can see where both are needed, in addition to an Infrared camera.
Bathroom drain:
I inspected the drain. I was looking for signs of moisture damage and leaks. There were no observed signs of water damage or intrusion. There were no musty odors nor apparent mold growth. The conditions under the sink did not appear to be conducive to mild growth.
Moisture meters: These are an invaluable tool for inspectors doing mold inspections. As inspectors are not required to dismantle components, these meters allow us to detect moisture issues that might not be readily accessible. The come in two type, pin and search mode. Each has its advantages. Pin modes helps for a more accurate surface reading where search mode help generalize moisture content up to 3/4 of an inch in depth.
I have a previous mold certification through a county education seminar. I found that this course was much more informative and allows me to do a periodic refresher any time I need it . Thank you Internachi for having all these resources available.
Gary Reda
ABR Inspections
I have been to a mold education seminar given by a county program in the past . I needed a refesher course and this was by far so informative. I like the fact that I could go back and retrieve materials , documents that I could use for the consumer and clients. This will help my inspection business greatly being able to offer mold as an Inspection tool.
As a home Inspector it is always necessary to advance in further education towards achieving a successful Home Inspection business . The Mold course helped us do that. We got valuable education that will help us be more efficient in the way we perform inspections relative to Mold and moisture. Available ongoing refresher and research material available always as a member .
I would like to introduce myself as a new member here. I intend to be an active member on these forums and learn from all of you, as well as make any contributions that I can to the inspector community.
Here is a photo of a basement inspection. The entire basement was cluttered with household trash and builders waste and extremely moist from second floor bathroom plumbing leaks. The photo shows signs microbial/mold growth.
The key to mold control is moisture control by drying wet or moist areas or materials within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. Molds are usually not a problem indoors unless mold spores land on moist areas or materials and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause health problems. If mold growth is suspected, it should be cleaned with water and mild detergent and fix the water problem.
