MOLD! And what you should know about mold testing: Part 2

Summary:  

 On this episode of The Perfect Property Podcast – the second in a special two-part series – we learn why there’s no reason to be intimidated by mold. Help is on the way! Host Juli St George welcomes Jordan Bailey,  owner of Atlanta-based Serenity Home Inspections, an unbiased go-to resource when it comes to assessing air quality and levels of mold in your home. He explains why it’s important to have testing done by a certified professional and how to follow up with remediation executed by an independent third-party. You’ll find out all about efflorescence (not as intimidating as it sounds) and exactly what you can expect when it comes to pricing, timeline and outcomes following mold testing. It’s key, Juli and Jordan agree, to be proactive about identifying potential problems. As we learned on Part I of this series, featuring EPA scientist Mary Reynolds, the health impacts can be significant. So find out what you’re dealing with and seek mitigation – especially before closing on the home of your dreams!

 Click here to listen to Part I of this series, featuring Mary Reynolds, a physical scientist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and expert on mold growth and its health consequences.

 What You’ll Learn:
Which Level of Mold Testing Do You Need:
o   Level I: Complete inspection provides a holistic evaluation of the total property.
o   Level II: Limited inspection focused on one room or particular leak.
What Constitutes a Legitimate Mold Inspection?
o   International Association of Indoor Air Quality Consultants sets a standard.
o   Anyone with this credential will know how to provide required services.
o   Mold inspections are not typically a standard part of home inspections.
o   There are thousands of types of mold and lots of ways to test for it, so a level of expertise is absolutely essential.
o   Fungal growth can be inside walls and other places that aren’t readily visible
More About What Testing Looks Like:
o   Direct testing of mold growth itself.
o   Evaluation of humidity levels.
o   Identification of areas prone to moisture and dampness.
o   Determination of patterns and indicators for future mold growth.
o   Testing through a specially designed pump that takes individual samples of air throughout the house and compares to a baseline taken from outside the home.
o   Pricing varies depending on whether it’s a limited or comprehensive inspection.
Your Home’s Most Mold-Prone Locations:
o   Basements (especially those vulnerable to water intrusion).
o   Crawlspaces (especially those without a vapor barrier).
o   HVAC systems (which may be sucking mold from inside a crawl space and blowing it throughout the house).
o   Damp dry wall and other areas impacted by a plumbing or roof leak.
What is Efflorescence?
o   Mold is all in the fungal microbial growth family and has lots of nicknames.
o   Efflorescence is different! It’s a white mineral residue that is the result of moisture that passes through and settles into foundation walls.
o   If the humidity in the home is high enough, mold can feed off of it and grow.
o   Mineral residue and mold growth can both be white in appearance, which is why testing is important
What Lab Results Will Tell You:
o   The difference in air quality between outdoor and indoor samples.
o   Whether any specific types of mold are elevated.
o   Whether types of mold present are associated with known health hazards.
Things Homeowners Want to Know:
o   There are species of mold in every house, no matter the circumstances.
o   Fungal growth makes up 25% of the world’s bio-mass,

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