Mold is the latest four letter word that when mentioned, can strike fear in even the best home inspector, contractor, realtor or homeowner.    

While there is no doubt that mold in the home can be a serious health concern and should always be addressed immediately, the fact is that there is no government standard that is used to require testing. The government institutions that deal with air quality and mold issues, i.e. the EPA, the CDC and the various state health departments, do not recommend testing as a first step.  They recommend that the resources that would have been spent on testing be put toward further exploration of hidden areas (when evidence indicates further exploration), proper removal of the affected materials and proper cleaning and disinfecting of the affected areas.    

I am not an expert in the mold industry and these issues are typically beyond the scope of a typical home inspection.  However, with my experience in mold and fungus as they relate to home construction and repair, the numerous seminars I have attended and the countless hours spent researching the subject, it is my opinion that the concerns over mold fall into two categories: 

The first and most common mold related issues are the maintenance related molds like those typically found in bathrooms, kitchens and at windows and wall surfaces of damp and unventilated areas of the home.  These molds are typically caused by high humidity or constant water activity and can be controlled by regular maintenance and over-the-counter cleanup measures. 

The second type of mold related issues are those that relate to past or ongoing water damage to the home, i.e. plumbing leaks, air conditioner condensation overflow, roof leaks, poor drainage around the home or flood damage.  When an area of the home has experienced moisture in hidden or unventilated areas, mold is a concern.  In these cases fixing the defective component is the first step and the second step is to remove the affected materials and properly clean and disinfect the affected areas. 

In most cases, regular maintenance is the most important step in controlling mold in the home and most health organizations have detailed explanations on how to deal with mold.  When I detect the typical maintenance type of a mold-like substance I will recommend cleanup be performed at the affected area and if there is any reason what-so-ever for me to believe that a mold issue is more that the typical maintenance type of mold I will recommend further evaluation of the area by a certified mold inspector or a licensed contractor experienced in mold abatement. 

For more information regarding mold in the home I recommend you click on the following links: 

     The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency    www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldguide.html

     The Center for Disease Control and Prevention    www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm