Mold Testing & Indoor Air Quality

Mold is just another defect. It is similar to almost any other defect found during a home inspection, such as a bad roof or an air conditioning system that has failed. However, when you have a family member who is sensitive to mold, finding and eradicating it becomes a top priority. The experts at The Real Estate Inspection Company can verify whether or not mold is a problem in your home with a mold inspection. Call (800) 232-5180 or schedule now. We serve San Diego and the surrounding areas.

Mold Detection Services: Packaged and Stand Alone

At The Real Estate Inspection Company, we provide visual mold inspection at no additional charge with the purchase of our full home buyer inspection. If further action is required, we offer mold testing at a discounted rate when bundled with other inspection services. You may also purchase it as a stand-alone service.

  1. Our first focus during the visual mold assessment is to find areas of concern (AOCs). This assessment will inform the home buyer (and seller) of AOCs in the house that have either contributed to mold growth or can create an environment for mold in the future. We document issues such as bad grading, poor ventilation, below-grade walls, and of course leaks or other moisture sources.
  2. If justified, our home inspectors are all certified to perform full mold testing with results from a local, accredited lab.
  3. Keep in mind that if we do find mold, the vast majority of mold is very isolated and requires only a small amount of work to clean up. However, the average mold repair costs between $1,500 – $7,500. This can be a powerful negotiating tool for home buyers and their real estate agents. Consequently, as a buyer, you want to find out about mold during your inspection period, not after you move in.

Our inspectors have always prioritized finding moisture in the houses we inspect. That’s why our home inspectors are equipped with infrared thermal imaging cameras and electronic moisture meters. The most common moisture problems come from excessive irrigation, plumbing leaks, and roof leaks. But we have found significant moisture problems from ponds against the house, poorly finished showers, and lack of fresh air exchange. For more information about mold, see the EPA’s website.

When Should a Mold Test Be Performed?

Schedule an appointment with our mold inspector in the following situations:

Apparent mold growth. When you can actually see mold-like growth or staining in damp areas, give us a call.

Moisture intrusion or water damage. Any leaks from plumbing or exterior can cause mold growth.

Odors. When you smell odors that cannot be explained.

Health concerns. Someone who will be living in the house has allergies or other health problems that will be exacerbated by mold.

Expert Mold Testing San Diego CA

If a family member has health issues, the results of a mold test can be sent to a doctor to see if the samples contain allergens for the individual patient. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants and, in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins).

Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing.

Thorough Mold Testing

Mold testing and evaluation by an accredited lab is the only way to confirm the presence or absence of mold spores in a house. If present, the mold-damaged material needs to be remediated – either cleaned or replaced depending on the material in question.

Air samples are used when odors are present or simply to determine the concentration of mold spores or allergens in the air. We perform mold sampling according to the Standards of Practice of the International Association of Certified Indoor Air Consultants (IAC2).

The Process of Mold Testing

When a client authorizes us to proceed with mold testing, we begin the following process.

  1. An experienced professional will inspect the entire house to find any areas that may be contributing to a potential mold issue. Our home inspectors are all certified to perform these inspections. They are also equipped better than most “mold inspectors” who simply perform a brief visual inspection. Our inspectors have seen it all and know where to look for moisture. The physical evaluation is a critical step in determining if a house has a mold problem.
  2. We prepare the house for testing and set up the equipment to collect air and/or physical samples. We recommend the minimum number of air samples we think are required to get the results you need, as dictated by the Standards of Practice.
  3. The samples are then prepared along with the chain of custody forms and delivered or shipped to the lab. This is a time-consuming process which assures the most accurate results possible.
  4. Charges for samples will be billed at the time of the inspection with the client’s prior approval regarding the number of samples. The client will be consulted and will have the final say as to how many additional samples will be taken If needed. Please see our pricing page.

Our inspections tell the story of your house.

The Black Mold/Toxic Mold Hype

There are many types of mold that all have varying effects on your house and on people’s health. There really is no such thing as “toxic” or “black” mold. Those terms are used generically and are often used to scare people into expensive remediation. The truth is that different molds can have different effects on different people. But one thing holds true — mold can physically damage a house by weakening the wood.

Why Is There Such a Difference in Mold Testing Prices from One Company to Another?

While we can’t speak for other companies, we can simply say that the varying pricing is simply a matter of marketing. Some companies do not charge for a visual inspection but charge a much greater price for each sample. Others charge a big inspection fee and slightly smaller per-sample charge. Our pricing is simply based on the additional time it takes to perform a visual assessment over and above the home inspection and the price per samples.

Other Services

In addition to mold detection, The Real Estate Inspection Company offers several other services:

Schedule Mold Testing Today

For mold testing and all of your inspection needs, you can trust the experts at The Real Estate Inspection Company. Since 2004, we’ve been serving San Diego County, Orange County, and Riverside County.

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