As a Home Inspector I feel Mold Testing and Air Sampling provides peace of mind. Offering another layer of protection ensures buyers know all property conditions while enhancing health and safety, and helps to reduce surprises in the transaction. Those musty smells in basements or other areas should not be ignored. Air Sampling or testing for Mold as part of the inspection process ensures your (agents and home inspectors) getting out in front and being proactive to identify any issues in the buying or selling process. This builds trust and ensures the transaction can be smooth.
On the human side, mold can create or further complicate health problems. Mold and air quality concerns do not discriminate between children, adults, or elderly. Respiratory issues are just one in a long list of health concerns from mold and air quality concerns. Identifying and addressing mold early can prevent these health risks and ensure a safer living environment especially for those who already have a pre-existing condition that makes them more vulnerable. These concerns are not just isolated to the areas they are found but basement or crawlspace mold are significant as they will affect the indoor air quality throughout the home. I often see Home Inspectors focused on the building and material side of this coin. Yes, mold weakens and destroys building materials and the longer they are untreated the more costly the repairs can be. Remember, it is not just the cost of treating the mold it is also repairing the building materials that were affected. Building materials are compromised and weakened the longer mold grows. These concerns are often hidden and what may be a small undiscovered problem that goes undetected during the transaction can grow. If left undiscovered a unnoticed issue can grow to become a significantly larger problem during the time your clients own the home or when they go to sell it.
If you have clients interested in the house with the damp basement or your nose picks up the lingering musty smell ensure you suggest they get Air Quality Sampling and Mold Testing as part of the inspection process. For further peace of mind just include testing as part of the inspection process.
Thanks
Chris Falcone
X-Factor Home Inspections
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