Do Mold Inspection and Mold Testing
When Buying a House or other Real Estate
 

       A. One swab test from the crawl space is not enough. Either you [using one of our do it yourself mold test kits] or a mold inspector can attach an open mold test kit to a pre-cleaned [with rubbing alcohol] box fan with the open side of the kit being directly facing the outward air flow from the fan. Place the fan at the entrance to the crawl space for 10 minutes so that the fan will suck out air from the moldy crawl space onto the sticky surface of the mold test kit which you have taped to the fan. Please follow our easy instructions for mold test kit use.. Mold growth from the crawl space and basement can easily spread [grow] into the ceiling, floors, and walls above the crawl space and basement. Mold spores from those areas can also easily spread by air movement into the rest of your house. If you are serious about buying this house, you will need to have a Certified Mold Inspector inspect [fiber optics] and mold test inside all basement/crawl space ceilings, the floors above, the walls above, plus mold test the air of all rooms, attic, and the outward flow from all heating/cooling duct registers. Air tests are to determine if there are present elevated levels of airborne mold spores, in comparison to an outdoor control test. Learn all about mold inspection and mold testing by visiting Mold, Mold Inspector, and Mold Inspection.

        Q. I recently had a pre-purchase mold test done on a piece of property. My reason for such test was the knowledge of two prior leaks found in the basement, one just last year and the other in 1998. The test showed the presence of Stachybotrys mold in the basement. Could you please email me with any information you might have regarding the hazards associated with Stachybotrys mold in homes? [July 20, 2003]
        A. Stachybotrys mold [also known sometimes spelled as Stachybotris] is considered the most dangerous mold species because it has the potential to destroy the brains of persons living or working in Stachy-contaminated homes, apartments, or work places. You were very wise to have hired mold testing in view of the known prior water leaks. Even in the absence of such knowledge of prior water problems, paying for pre-purchase mold inspection and pre-purchase mold testing for a home, condo, or other real estate property being considered for your purchase is very wise so that you don't end up owning a property for which mold remediation of any hidden or visible mold infestation problems can cost more than the value of the property being purchased. A property with a mold history is very difficult to re-sell---another good reason to to do pre-purchase mold inspection and arrange for pre-purchase mold tests to avoid purchasing a moldy home, condo, apartment, office, or commercial real estate property. In addition, you don't want to ruin your family's health by living in a mold-contaminated home. When buying a property, in the contract, have your attorney or realtor insert an environmental inspection clause that gives you at least 21 days to inspect and test a property environmentally [mold is not the only health environmental risk that can be lurking in a property].  The sale becomes contingent upon your approval of the property AFTER you have received the environmental inspection and testing report [for which you are the one to pay]. Hire a Certified Mold Inspector to inspect and mold test a property.  If you want to do your own inspection and testing, follow the advice in our book Mold Health Book plus use do it yourself mold test kits from a large hardware or home improvement store.