Mold in basement?

So, I inspected this house in June and pointed out that the duct work may be wrapped in asbestos. Now they are thinking that the spots on it are mold. I did not point out the possibility of mold in my report so I did not suspect that it was mold. The wife thinks it is and also an area in a corner. The husband called and I think he wants me to tell him something that will relieve her fears. How do I handle this?

They can think anything they want…And it means nothing.
It could be just some dirt.

Well, it is an old house and I thought it was dirt, but what do I tell them to do?

Tell them it appeared to be dirt of some sort.
And there isn’t any visual clues to suggest it would be mold.
Only a lab test could confirm.

Thank you, Roy.

Thank you for your reply !
But, I’m sure you knew that already…Yuh?

Tell them the asbestos should kill the mold!

Funny :grin: Very Funny!

We get calls from Home Inspectors all the time to look any particular stain in the attic, crawlspace or other, if you are not a certified mold inspector and asked the homeowner to call one to do an inspection. If you are certified and come back with your equipment and do a regular inspection at whatever you charge.
From the picture you posted I would say that what I am seeing is dirt of some kind. Mold needs a moisture source to grow and that duct work wrapping does not look like it has a continual water source. But on the other hand it does appear to have had a water stain toward the bottom at one time. It should be checked out by a professional.
Interstate Mold Inspection Co.

Was gonna say to burn the house to kill the mold spores and save the human species, but refrained as we are experiencing an influx of early winter wonder :smiley:

Tell them you are not a mold inspector and that if they are nervous and feel it might be mold they should have a mold testing company come in to check it out. I have seen mold growing on the outer layer of asbestos in basements and crawlspaces many times.

Here is my report introduction…

THIS REPORT IS A GENERAL INSPECTION AND ITS PURPOSE IS TO IDENTIFY MAJOR
DEFICIENCIES IN THE CONDITION OF SYSTEMS, COMPONENTS, AND ITEMS. THE
INSPECTION IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN ENGINEERING EVALUATION OR TECHNICALLY
EXHAUSTIVE, NOR IS IT CONSIDERED TO BE A GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY, EXPRESSED
OR IMPLIED, REGARDING THE CONDITIONS OF THE PROPERTY, ITEMS, AND SYSTEMS
INSPECTED. THE INSPECTION IS LIMITED ONLY TO VISIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE AREAS.
LATENT AND CONCEALED DEFECTS OR DEFICIENCIES ARE EXCLUDED FROM THE
INSPECTION, AND EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS WILL NOT BE DISMANTLED. THE
INSPECTION AND REPORT IS NOT A CONFORMANCE OR COMPLIANCE INSPECTION FOR
GOVERNMENTAL CODES OR REGULATIONS OF ANY KIND. THE INSPECTION AND REPORT
DO NOT ADDRESS THE POSSIBLE PRESENCE OF OR DANGER FROM ASBESTOS,RADON
GAS, LEAD PAINT, CHINESE DRY WALL ,UREA FORMALDEHYDE, MOLD, SOIL
CONTAMINATION, UNDERGROUND OIL TANKS, TOXIC OR FLAMMABLE CHEMICALS, AND
ALL OTHER POTENTIALLY HARMFUL SUBSTANCES OR CONDITIONS. THE CLIENT IS
URGED TO CONTACT A COMPETENT SPECIALIST IF INFORMATION, IDENTIFICATION, OR
TESTING OF THE ABOVE IS DESIRED.THE INSPECTION AND REPORT ARE PREPARED FOR
THE SOLE, CONFIDENTIAL, AND EXCLUSIVE USE AND POSSESSION OF THE CLIENT ONLY.
NEITHER THE REPORT, THE CONTENTS OF THIS REPORT, NOR ANY REPRESENTATION
MADE HEREIN ARE ASSIGNABLE OR TRANSFERABLE WITHOUT THE EXPRESSED
WRITTEN PERMISSION OF 1ST PRO INSPECTION.

Transitory mold spores will settle on wet dust but they rarely have the means of reproduction, i.e, there is insufficient food to support mycelial attachment or spore production. Wipe it off.

Most likely dirt, but most black stain in potentially moist conditions that can not be confirmed, should be noted as a black substance that could not be identified, recommend a mold test to confirm or eliminate suspicion.

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