I heard that that the state of Calif. is going require that
every house sold be mold certified.
Can anybody verify this ? Also where can a Nachi inspector doing
business in Calif. get mold certified ?
David
That is a rumor started by a well known Environmental Services provider. Very unlikely to ever materialize into anything.
David:
Jeff is right, but as the nation goes “green,” most probably led by California this year, new business opportunities will open up for all of us.
Jeff writes:
Environmental Services Provider
A Banker from Bank of America called me because he found me on BING.com listed as Placer County CA Mold Inspector. [NACHI credentials]. The Banker said he wants a MOLD clearance because they made a few mistakes in the past years and they want to make sure the money is going to a “sound investment”. MOLD is the #1 concern for everyone involved in the process; make sure that it isn’t in the house. end quote. Hint: Get the credentials through NACHI, acquire the equipment from the Inspector store, practice so that your ready when the calls start coming to you. Remember to get connected with HOMEGAUGE and there wonderful software. Life is great when living it as an Inspector with NACHI and HG teamed up with us.
Be VERY careful here. They are not asking for a mold test, sample, or inspection.
There is no such thing as a “mold clearance” since mold exists everywhere…and where it “isn’t” is subject to change any moment.
The IAC2 online mold training and certification course instructs how to perform mold clearance inspections.
A visual inspection of an area that has been remediated should show no evidence of present or past mold growth. There should be no moldy or musty odors associated with the building, because these odors suggest that mold continues to grow.
Actually, a remediation clearance inspection is simply a Compete Mold Inspection performed in accordance with the IAC2 Mold Inspection Standards of Practice. The standards have been set. Be sure to follow them.
Hi, I am new to this forum, I too, have questions on detection of mold, and where an inspectors liability begins and ends. I rescently was at a house, and the basement was being finished. The the insulation was yet to be inspected. I noticed the 2x4 studs were filled with mold spores, everywhere. The person performing the construction ignored my warning to have it checked out further. They continued with construction. How can an inspector detect mold that is inside the wall cavity? My knowledge of mold is; it will continue growing, and become a major problem for the home owner, am I right is this going to become ‘a sick house.’
Steve
Sounds like the Lead Base Paint campaign
No offense Ben, but you need to understand the context in which a “mold clearance” is asked for, by whom, and for what purpose.
“Clearance” suggests that an area is clear, or free of something. In this instance it may be mold or associated toxins. As the word “clearance” is most associated with conditions which affect human health, this is a huge red flag which I strongly recommend that inspectors seriously look at.
A “mold clearance” certification may be far more than what your guidelines suggest, as explained to me this morning by two certified industrial hygenists. This is of particular importance since all homes have mold, no matter what you do.
The “clearance” would need to be limited in scope, and contain numerous disclaimers for the inspector to stand behind. It would need to be framed by any number of factors, and would also need to indicate what the clearance is intended to convey and under which context it is being provided.
No ordinary mold inspectors should do clearance testing unless they know what they are doing. I have gone behind too many inspectors after they cleared a house of mold because the occupants are sick. Guess who gets sued with the idiots who hired the not fully trained inspector?
Also do not use the Prolab Z-5 for a clearance testing. There is a big difference between pulling 25 cubic meters of air and 150 cubic meters of air in a court of law. Guess what sample will be held up as more accurate?
James,
My point is that one needs to be careful what “clearance” they are looking for. This particular request came from the lending institution.
They actually make a special trap with a molded plastic piece called a
Bi-Air Cassette that fits in about a 1/4 inch hole, you poke in the wall. Sticking a plastic hose on a regular air trap is not recommended. You may want to have somebody walk you through the correct way to use this cassette to get an accurate sample taken.