1-enter your home from the outside
2-collect or pool inside your home
3-leaks from the plumbing and HVAC system
4-Areas of discoloration resembling molds
5-Signs of moisture leakage & moisture damage
House To Home Inspections pays special attention to areas with high levels of moisture/humidity. Basements, crawl spaces, attics, and bathrooms are commonly affected more by mold because of increased levels of moisture and humidity in these areas. Any potentially venerable areas are stated in our electronic mold inspection report.
We use 6 ways to detect for mold without destructive testing:
Visually
Air sampling
Swab Sampling
Tape Sampling
Bulk Sampling
Smell
Visually - sometimes mold is somewhat easy to detect. For instance, mold on the ceiling is sometimes viewable and can be detected visually. Other times mold is more difficult to detect, such as mold inside a furnace system or vent. Such mold is difficult to detect visually and may be discovered only through a process known as air sampling.
Air sampling - involves capturing a sample of airborne particles and having them analyzed for the presence of mold. A vacuum pump is used to force a certain volume of air through a sampling cartridge. Another air sample is taken outside as a control sample. The samples or later sent to a lab for identification.
Swab & Tape Sampling - if potential mold is present on a hard surface such as roof sheathing, tiles, cabinets or other hard surface material, we will take a swab or tape sample depending on the type of material in question. The sample(s) are sent to lab to be analyzed for any potential mold.
Bulk Sampling - in some situations in is necessary to take an actual sample of the potentially affected area itself. This is called bulk sampling. We will recommend bulk sampling on porous building materials such as fiberglass insulation, caulking, porous ceiling tiles and etc. All bulk sampling must be approved by you and/or the owner of the building before we proceed.
Smell - Other times mold can be quickly identified by its recognizable smell which could be best compared to the smell of rotting gym socks. The final odor of mold can sometimes be a great help in detecting it, even when it is partially or completely concealed. If you live in a mold infected house, you will probably be used to the smell and it will be difficult for the owner/tenant to detect.
NOTE: We will sometimes recommend testing in additional areas depending on the results of your mold inspection. You are the boss: You have the option to test or not test in any area. We only provide the recommendation. You alone provide the approval. Any approvedinspections or testing will be documented in writing prior to testing.
What the Mold Lab Will Tell Us
If any mold sample (air, tape, swab or bulk) tests positive for "unusual mold levels or "an elevated mold level exists", via the labs testing, the lab will list the type of mold and what that mold could potentially do to your and your family's health. Our mold inspection report will list the component defects that we have found that may contribute to mold growth and the appropriate action to take in regards to fixing the problem. Sometimes mold problems are not visible during a mold inspection due to furniture, storage, between walls and etc. We will also recommend the appropriate action to take in these cases.
Mold Detection
Mold has tremendous variability in what it looks like and where it is found. If you can see it or smell it, there probably is mold in your home. Testing for mold is sometimes expensive depending on the severity of each unique situation. Our mold inspection will point out key factors in identifying the causes of mold. For a FREE MOLD INSPECTION QUOTE in Dayton OH & Southwest Ohio call us at 513-255-0298.
During your mold inspection, we look for evidence of high humidity, condensation, temperature variations, insect farming or visual evidence of water staining/ponding. We also look for potential water infiltration issues that may cause problems in the future Mold grows in the dark, hidden places, such as behind walls and may not always be visible. Air sample testing may aid in the discovery of molds in such areas.
The inspection will include any readily visible areas damaged by water. For example carpets, attics, walls, roof sheathing, floors, accessible structure, insulation, ceilings, furniture, basement, crawlspaces and in any accessible area with porous material or soft goods exposed to high humidity (over 60%) or water for a period in excess of 72 hours.
Other clues, such as musty odors and reported physical symptoms in occupants are noted. Mold color may be white, gray, black, brown, yellow or greenish. Other species are light in color or nearly invisible when growing on and interior surface unless you look carefully. The light green, gray or tan mold colonies are more difficult to see if you don't know how to look.
We use 2.5+ million candlepower spotlights to inspect along the walls, ceiling, basement, crawlspace & attic surfaces in areas that has been damp or wet.
Mold colonies may appear cottony, velvety, granular, leathery and glassy. Most mold infestations are directly related to insect or animal activity. Many insects will farm mold, so where the mold is growing, a species of insects may be trying to take advantage of the growth. Our mold inspectors will report on any visible insect infestations (farming) in regards to your mold situation.
Where We Look For Mold
Mold can grow whenever or wherever the conditions are appropriate. To eliminate mold, one must have the knowledge and training to know where to look. Our professional mold inspectors carefully inspect obvious surfaces: ceilings, walls, and floors, particularly in areas that appear to have water stains were leaks as well as unobvious areas such as fans, HVAC filters, furniture and etc.
During your inspection we will look everywhere that is visibly accessible to search for mold and moisture problems. We also check areas where surface temperatures might be low, near windows or interior walls.
Standard Equipment Used For Your Inspection
Safety equipment
We use all OSHA approved safety equipment during all of our inspections & testing.
Detection equipment
Moisture meter
Our moisture meters will reveal if potentially damaging excessive moisture is present. When metal contact probes are pressed onto the surface, the meter will detect moisture problems at very low levels. This allows us to locate and trace roof leaks, check the extent of wet/damp rot and hidden condensation and identify sources of moisture that could potentially become mold problems. Our Moisture meters have the ability to test hard or soft wood, sheet rock, concrete, plaster, carpet and more to determine the extent of moisture problems.
Humidity meter
Our humidity meters (relative humidity meters) will give us readout of the relative humidity in the air. Since mold grows in areas of high levels of humidity, a humidity meter is another tool in our arsenal to detect your mold/moisture problems.
If areas of high humidity are found during the inspection, we will note them on the report and recommend what corrective measures should take place to reduce the humidity in the area.
Infrared thermometer
Our infrared thermometers measure temperature from a distance via an infrared laser. Home inspectors use these tools to measure temperature differences when inspecting HVAC systems. An infrared thermometer allows us to obtain temperature readings in hard to reach are inaccessible areas such as roof sheeting.
Standard Equipment Used For Your Testing
Rotary & Linear Oscillating Mold Sampling Pumps
Through the use of various mold air sampling pumps with bio isolation filtration, precisely calibrated rotameters and using industry standardized sampling volumes, we are able to evaluate elevated airborne mold levels in specific or entire areas of a home or business.
Mold Sampling Cassettes
The Air-O-Cell® operates upon the principle of inertial impaction. Particulate laden air is accelerated as it is drawn through the cassettes tapered inlet slit and directed towards a small slide containing the collection media, where the particles become impacted, and the air flow continues out the exit orfice. The adhesive nature of the collection media prevents the collected particulate from blurring or being washed off during the laboratory staining process, and eliminates sample loss from vibration during handling and shipment.
Mold Swab Sampling & Template
Mold Swab Samples are used to identify specific areas suspected to have active mold growths.
Bio -Tape
Although really not "tape", this plastic microscopic slide is used with both optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for evaluation, to relative degree, of mold contamination .
We Partner with Microbiologists who a certified through
