Not White Paint

Not White Paint

At first glance, the home inspector thought the bottom of the subfloor had been painted white.

Upon closer inspection, the inspector concluded it was a bio-growth. An inspector (unless they’re a certified industrial hygienist) shouldn’t say ‘mold’, as doing so makes them the expert in a court of law.

If there’s a bio-growth growing on crawlspace surfaces, there’s a good chance there are issues with inadequate or poor ventilation; leaking toilets, negative grade; no drainage system; downspouts discharging next to the foundation; over-irrigation; leaking water supply or drain pipes; swimming pool leaks; high water table all of which can contribute to high humidity conditions under a house.

Mold spores and wood moisture content above 28% are required for mold to start developing on wood. Molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees; but indoors, mold growth should be avoided.

The fix: It’s all about controlling the level of moisture in the crawlspace.

The inspectors at Pacific Coast Inspections may not be Industrial Hygienists, but are quite knowledgeable about discussing their observations in a low key manner and making recommendations for further review.