Do you need a building mold inspection? Chances are that you can't answer that question. A building mold inspection is helpful in discovering harmful mold growth in a home or place of business. So, if you don't have mold, you don't need an inspection. But, it is difficult or impossible for building owners to know whether mold is growing somewhere on their property ? unless they get a building inspection done. This makes the answer to the original question: yes, you need a building mold inspection.
Even if you were able to check every nook and cranny in your building, and you did not find any mold, it doesn't mean you don't need a mold inspection. Mold spores are constantly present in the atmosphere. Unless your building is airtight, with filtered air circulation, the air around you is full of mold spores waiting to find a damp spot where they can germinate. Your building might seem dry, but that does not mean it will remain so or that there are not unseen areas of moisture. A building mold inspection will identify potential sources of moisture, such as cracks in foundation walls, or uninsulated plumbing pipes, which could lead to mold growth in your building.
But, why should you inspect your building for mold or potential mold growth? There are many reasons that you should have a mold inspection done on your building. First, mold is not good for your health. Building mold can cause allergic reactions; irritation of the eyes, nose and lungs; headaches; fatigue; asthma attacks; and even certain infections. Airborne mold spores bounce off dry surfaces, but cling to moist surfaces. Mold will grow almost anywhere there is even minute amounts of moisture, including some of your belongings. Left unchecked, mold will damage fabrics and organic materials, like the wood used in your furniture or home's structure. Another big reason for a building mold inspection is that mold is just plain smelly.
Whatever your reason for wanting to get rid of or prevent mold growth, you need to find the right person for the job; a building inspector who is certified to inspect for mold. The problem is that there are no government enforced minimum requirements for building inspectors in Canada. Anyone can claim to be a building inspector and to know how to spot mold problems. But, that doesn't mean they know any more about it than you. For this reason, you must be careful when choosing a building mold inspector.
Fortunately, the building inspection industry has formed associations to not only certify inspectors, but create extra standards for certified indoor air and mold inspections. InterNACHI, the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, is the largest building inspection association in the world. Only certified home inspectors who are members of InterNACHI are eligible to become IAC2 (International Association of Certified Indoor Air Consultants) certified and receive the IAC2 certification for mold inspections. If you find a building inspector who is IAC2 certified for mold inspections, you have the highest assurance possible that the building inspector will be able to identify mold and mold sources in your home or place of business.
A building mold inspection will not only tell you whether or not you have mold, but you will also know the extent of the mold and any damage done. Mold damage can be serious, such as in cases of advanced wood rot. However, serious damage to your possessions or buildings structure is rare. When starved of moisture, mold growth dries out and stops being active. When it dries enough, it can be wiped or brushed away. Wear a face mask or other breathing protection when brushing away mold because the process causes harmful mold particles to become airborne. Even after you clean away mold from your building, you will need to periodically do your own inspections and, from time to time, have a professional re-inspect for new growth.
Reducing damage to your belongings is not the only advantage of a building mold inspection. The improved air quality will let you, your family, friends and associates breathe easier and stay healthier. So, yes, even if you have had one in the past, you need a building mold inspection.
The building mold inspection professionals Allmax Home and Property Inspections are members of the InterNACHI and are IAC2 certified for mold inspections.
In its simplest terms a Phase 1 is a site visit and document review of the surrounding area to determine if further investigation is advised from an environmental stand point.
A Phase 1 inspection is a review of local governmental documents regarding the site to determine what the past usage of the site was along with extensive document review of the surrounding area. It also entails a very involved and detailed site visit by a qualified professional. In addition there is data base information that is gathered and reviewed of the surrounding vicinity to determine if there is a potential risk from an environmental stand point in the immediate area.
These potential risks can be anything from a past gas station on or near the site that might have contaminated the ground water to there having been a dry cleaner on the site that might have spilled chemicals into the ground. There could have been past dumping on the site or an auto repair that did not handle the oils properly, lead in the paint, asbestos, and on and on.
I think you get the picture. The focus of a Phase 1 inspection is environmental not the structure or any of the systems of the building. The systems are the focus of the general visual inspection. They are two separate areas of responsibility. Both are important. Many lending institutions require a Phase 1 clearance before they will lend money.
A Phase 1 inspection is an integral part to many commercial and industrial real estate transactions. One bank that I know of will not lend for any commercial or industrial transaction on real estate over 1.5 million dollars without a Phase I. We are hard pressed to buy anything in the Los Angeles area in the commercial or industrial real estate area for under that.
There are two other aspects to a Phase 1 that may come into play depending on what is found during the Phase 1 inspection and research. These are Phase 2 and Phase 3. As you might assume Phase 2 and Phase 3 are the more involved aspects of the environmental field. Phase 2 involves testing of the site such as coring into the earth and taking samples of the soil along with testing it to determine what is in the soil. The information during a Phase 2 will determine if the site warrants further investigation and/or to be remediated. If remediation is needed this is Phase 3.
Each environmental Phase whether it is Phase 1, 2 or 3, has a very involved set of industry standard requirements. Each requires highly trained professionals to do properly. This is not an area to skimp on. Have a reliable company with vast experience do your Phase 1 inspection. Getting the cheapest deal for something this important I feel could easily be fiscally irresponsible. A properly done Phase 1 inspection really is for everyones protection not just the buyer.
The current rate for a professionally done standard Phase 1 inspection is approx. $1800.00 - $2000.00. Just so you understand to obtain the above mentioned documents is hundreds of dollars by itself. The report ends up usually being hundreds of pages. This price does not usually change unless the site gets very large and very involved. Currently the price stated will usually handle over 90% of all commercial real estate transactions.
I hope this clears the air a bit on what a Phase 1 inspection is.
Both Realart & Bob Pace are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Realart has sinced written about articles on various topics from Management Software Solutions, Home Improvement and Infants And Toddlers. Contact Allmax today and get the peace of mind that can only come from a well-done . Realart's top article generates over 201000 views. to your Favourites.
Bob Pace has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Improvement, The Internet and The Beach Resort. Bob Pace has been a Certified Inspector since 1994 and a licensed contractor for nearly 4o years. For more information about