MOLD INSPECTION / AIR TESTING
Mold and Health Problems:
Mold spores are all around us - indoors, outdoors, in the air, on our carpet, on our plants - in fact you’re breathing mold at this very moment as you read this web page. Mold is almost always present in low levels and invisible to the naked eye during early stages but can multiply rapidly in the presence of moisture and a food source making it visible in larger numbers.
Some people are more sensitive to mold than others. For these people, exposure can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Others with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more serious reactions.
The dangers of mold to humans are well known, but toxic mold can also endanger the health of pets as well. Although only a handful of mold species are toxic, the most common type – toxic black mold (Stachybotrys) – can bring serious illnesses and even death to pets, especially dogs.
Dogs are affected by mold in similar ways to humans. Because dogs have a weaker immune system, they're more susceptible to mold-related illnesses. Some dog breeds may develop mold allergies faster than others. For instance, breeds with flat faces and short noses are prone to respiratory diseases, so exposure to fungus can make it even worse for them. But in general, all dogs can be affected by mold.
The most common types of fungus in homes are Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Stachybotrys (or Black Mold). All of these can cause allergic reactions and health problems in humans and pets. If left untreated, molds can cause serious health problems.
Our Services:
During your home inspection, in addition to scanning for visible issues with the structure, systems, and components of the property, we’re in a unique position to both scan for visible mold, as well as seek out the main contributors to its growth. Water intrusion, high levels of humidity, plumbing leaks and HVAC problems can all cause mold issues.
While it’s critical to know whether a home has a mold issue, it’s also of paramount importance to know what’s causing the mold growth to effectively deal with the problem. That’s why having a mold / air quality test during the course of your home inspection (and performed by the same inspector) can be so much more beneficial than having a standalone test.
In addition to inspecting the ins and outs and all of the crevices of your future home, our mold testing involves two main methods: air sampling and surface sampling (if applicable), which require analysis by a certified laboratory (with a guaranteed 24 to 48 hour turnaround time - except weekends).
Samples taken during the course of the inspection are immediately sent (overnight) to a laboratory at which time they are analyzed for type and concentration. You'll then receive a separate inspection report from us with photographs, lab results, a detailed narrative interpretation of the test results, and any remedies that may be needed.
Pricing:
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Standalone Mold Inspection with Air Sampling - $350 to $450 depending on the size of the home.
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With Home Inspection - $275
When placing your home inspection order via the website you will have the option to add-on this service as needed. We are MICRO Certified and all lab results and reports are guaranteed 24 to 48 hours from the date of the inspection.