Ten Questions on Mold and Homes

1. How concerned should I be about mold?
   Alert, but not worried. There seems to be a popular myth that some buildings contain mold while most don’t. This is utterly false. Any environment that supports human life also supports mold. You have been exposed to airborne mold every day of your life, and the breath you just took probably contained several mold spores. Your body has built-in systems to protect you from this and many other natural contaminants. The scientific consensus is that most kinds of mold are harmless to most people in most circumstances.
2. When should I worry?
   Although some mold presence in homes is normal, mold amplification is not. When water accumulates on organic surfaces such as wood or paper or cloth, mold can quickly multiply to levels high enough to be a health concern.
   Visible mold in a home is always a result of an uncontrolled water problem. Basement leaks, plumbing malfunctions or poorly vented spaces are likely causes. Such water sources are problems in and of themselves, and need correction whether or not mold has started to grow.
   When a home suffers a catastrophic water event, such as flooding or fire suppression, uncontrolled mold growth can result, and can spread to large portions of the structure.
3. What about “Black Mold”
   There are hundreds of different kinds of mold, and most of them are black. The term “Black Mold” as used on television usually refers to the genus Stachybotrys, which is suspected of causing lung and neurological damage in some individuals. A few other black molds also fall into this "toxic" category, as do some of other colors. Many other “black” molds are considered merely allergenic, and are so common that nearly all homes and outdoor environments have some level of them.
4. What needs to be done to correct a mold problem?
   Experts agree that a two-step approach is needed: Fix the water problem, clean up the mold. In many cases, this is as simple as it sounds. But sometimes, the water problem may be difficult to find or correct, and the mold may be so widespread that specialists are needed for clean-up.
5. Is mold testing always needed?
   No. If both the extent of the mold contamination and its source are easy to see, then cleanup is very straightforward, and testing will provide no useful data.
6. When does testing make sense?
   If there is uncertainty about whether an observed substance is or is not mold, testing is certainly useful. This sometimes happens in real estate transactions. When a large mold clean-up is done, it can be useful to test before and after the work, to ensure that the problem has been fully addressed. If a mold problem is suspected but cannot be visually confirmed, air testing can help. Sometimes, testing can help address uncertainty about where a mold issue is coming from, or how urgent the clean-up is. In landlord-tenant disputes, testing can be helpful in clearing up questions.
7. The new language on the Michigan Seller’s Disclosure Statement makes it sound like mold and allergen testing are parts of a standard pre-purchase home inspection. Is this true?
   No. Mold and allergen tests are separate, often costly investigations that require specially trained people and laboratory analysis. The Standards of Practice of the national home inspector organizations specifically exclude mold and airborne allergens. A few home inspectors are trained to do this, but mold investigation and testing are not considered part of a normal home inspection.
   If you have identifiable allergies, you need to take precautions that make sense for you. If you're allergic to cats, don't bother making an offer on a house that has had a dozen cats living in it. If you are sensitive to dust, you should plan on removing all the carpet and having the ducts professionally cleaned before you move in. Cats and carpets are not building defects. It isn't the inspector's job to note these items, nor is it something the seller is obligated to disclose. As far as this writer can discern, this is the real point of the new language on the Statement.
8. Is there a single test that can identify all airborne allergens and pathogens in house air?
   No. There are some allergen tests that can pick up several of the more common irritants, such as animal dander and dust mites, but no broad-spectrum test exists. In general, you have to know what you are looking for in order to find it
9. How can a home inspection help with mold issues?
   As previously stated, mold problems come from water problems, and a good inspector devotes a lot of effort to finding and understanding water issues in a home. In checking for basement leaks, plumbing malfunctions, venting problems and condensation issues, the inspector is finding the causes of mold, and will probably find the mold itself as well.
10. Are there other more dangerous environmental problems in homes?
    Yes. While the link between mold and illness is still somewhat tenuous, we know that radon kills between 15,000 and 20,000 Americans every year. Lead causes thousands of children to suffer brain and nerve damage, some of it irreversible. These issues are far more urgent than mold, and every homeowner needs a basic familiarity with them.

This brochure does not contain medical advice. The general information given above does not apply to individuals with immune-suppressed or immune-compromised conditions, or to those with life-threatening allergies.

Sherlock Homes Inspection, Ltd. has been providing mold testing since 2001. Allergen screening has recently been added to the list. Our inspector has received training from the Indoor Environmental Standards Organization and certification by the American Indoor Air Quality Council in mold inspection and testing. Our lab work is done by the most highly qualified labs in the country.

Testing produces data. There is a wide gap between data and understanding. Indoor environmental problems are not isolated issues. They must be analyzed holistically, as part of the entire home system. This is where the experience and in-depth training of 22 years in the home inspection industry come into play. Over 600 classroom hours of cross-training in a broad range of building and environmental subjects helps turn data into knowledge. Clear verbal and written communication turns our knowledge into your understanding.

When you have Indoor Air Quality questions, you know who to call ! 248-585-8584

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