manufactured home dealer license requirement at the state level], and local news media. Learn possible legal remedies by reading our in-depth ebook Mold Legal Guide, available from our online mold products catalog, and by consulting with a local real estate attorney.. Learn the 25 steps for safe and effective mold remediation.

Q. I recently purchased a new manufactured home (my first one). Last week we had an unusual rain storm and rain entered the vent on the outside wall of the garage. The rain seeped down through the insulation and drained on the floor of the garage. I'm concerned that we may be at risk for mold. We are still under warrantee and the manufacture said that he would probe the wall to see if the insulation was still wet. My question is, will this probe suffice or does this require additional inspection/action? [Aug. 31, 2003]

A. I hope you have corrected whatever problem was wrong that enabled water to enter through the vent. A probe inspection is inadequate if it does not enable the inspector to use fiber optics to see inside the walls and ceilings. The inside of walls, ceilings, and floors that got wet for more than 24 hours need to be inspected visually for mold growth with a fiber optics inspection device. In addition, air samples for mold testing purposes will need to be taken from [drawn by air pump] all affected interior wall, ceiling, and floor cavities. You need the services of a Certified Mold Inspector. If you value your family's health, do not accept a second-rate inspection by the manufacturer of your home. You also need to know how seriously and where your home is mold contaminated. Your first step to solve the problem is to mold test the air of each room, basement, crawl space, attic, and the outward air flow from each heating/cooling duct register for the possible presence of elevated levels of airborne mold spores, in comparison to an outdoor mold control test. Elevated mold levels signify a possible serious mold infestation problem and health threat. Use do it yourself mold test kits available from a large hardware, home improvement, or safety store. To know how to do mold remediation safely and effectively, please visit Mold Remediation.

Q. About 10 years ago my elderly parents had a modular home installed on their property and within 4 years mold started appearing on the ceilings and medicine cabinet. Ten years later it is terrible. One room had a ceiling that is almost black. I had no knowledge of this until March when my terminally ill sister was moved there. When she died in May my mom gave me some of her things, which I put in the garage. Yesterday I went out and was going to sort them and the mold smell was terrible!! What should I do to help them...seems they haven't done anything about it, even though everyone is telling them it is deadly! Is this going to contaminate my garage. Also I have a TV I loaned my sister to use. Should I keep it out of my house? [June 15, 2003]

A. You need to find a mold safe place for your parents to live temporarily while their home is completely mold inspected and mold remediated. With he large amount of visible mold, the house probably contains even more mold hidden above the ceiling, in walls, floors, heating/air conditioning ducts, crawl space beneath the home, and in their personal possessions. Do not move any of their possessions or clothing to their temporary residence until all such items have been effectively mold decontaminated in accordance with the very precise instructions provided in the in depth book Mold Health Book. As far as the items received that belonged to your deceased sister, leave them in the garage until they have been safely and completely mold decontaminated---or throw them away. After you have moved your parents to mold-safe quarters, hire a Certified Mold Inspector to completely inspect and mold test the home. With as much visible mold as there is already in the modular home, and the extra difficulties of removing mold from a modular home, it is very possible that mold remediation can cost more than the home is even worth.

         Q. We are in the process of purchasing a pre-fabricated mobile home. It is a wooden structure that sat on a lot for 5 months in two pieces before it was moved to our property. We have discovered that the house is infested with carpenter ants and there are large water stains under the carpeting. Would this be evidence of black mold? We are scheduled to close on the house and need to make sure we are protected. [June 23, 2002]
         A. The mobile home's water stains are an indication of a possible serious water problem, and, therefore, of a possible of a potential mold infestation. You should have the water stain tested, the air inside the manufactured homes, the heating and air conditioning system inspected and inspected by a Certified Mold Inspector. Don't close on the purchase of this manufactured home without knowing whether you are buying a manufactured mold hell.

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