Our job as your professional home inspector
is to alert you, to the extent possible, to unknown problems and potential environmental hazards in your current or potential
house. Ours is a non-invasive visual inspection of your property. We will recommend and perform specialized contaminant testing
only if we suspect a need for it.
Here are some of the hazards we look for:
MOLD
Mold (fungi) is present everywhere, indoors and outdoors. There are more than 100,000 species of mold, at least 1,000 of
which are common in America. Species of Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus are some of the most commonly found species.
Mold most likely grows in bathrooms, basements, and anywhere else where there is dampness or water. Many types of mold routinely
encountered aren’t hazardous to healthy individuals. Too much exposure to mold may cause a worsening of such conditions
as asthma, hay fever, or other allergies. Fevers and breathing problems in a vulnerable individual are possible but unusual.
When moldy material becomes damaged or disturbed, spores, which are reproductive bodies similar to seeds, can be released
into the air. Exposure can occur if people inhale the spores, directly handle moldy material, or accidentally ingest the spores.
Since all molds need water to grow, mold can grow almost anywhere where there is high humidity, dampness, or water damage.
Most often molds are confined to areas near the water source. Removing the source of moisture through repairs or dehumidification
is crucial in preventing mold growth. Correcting underlying water damage and cleaning the affected area is the best way to
treat mold. If mold contamination is extensive, a professional abatement company may be needed. Excerpts from The New
York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, Environmental & Occupational Disease Epidemiology, “Facts About
Mold”.
RADON
Radon is a radioactive gaseous element produced in the disintegration
of radium, a radioactive metallic element. It cannot be detected by the senses and can be confirmed only by sophisticated
instruments and laboratory tests. The gas enters a house through pores and cracks in the concrete or through floorboards of
poorly ventilated crawlspaces, especially when wet ground allows the gas to escape easily through the soil and disperse in
the atmosphere. Radon is a lung carcinogen: the National Academy of Sciences estimates radon causes some 15,000 to 22,000
lung cancer deaths annually. The U.S. Surgeon General and the EPA recommend all houses be tested for radon. Houses with high
radon levels can be fixed.
Excerpts from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Indoor Radon”.
WATER QUALITY
EPA recommends that private domestic water supplies, including wells and springs,
be tested yearly for bacteria. Our inspectors are trained to take water samples appropriately and deliver the sample to local
state approved labs for testing. Common water tests we perform include tests for bacteria in water; the HUD screening, a test
for nitrate, nitrite, iron, turbidity, ph, & lead; radon, radon in water testing is particularly recommended in homes
were the presence of radon in air is detected; and arsenic in water. Testing for other the presence of other chemicals is
often determined by local conditions.
CARBON MONOXIDE
Clogged chimneys, malfunctioning stoves,
water heaters, space heaters, as well as auto, boat and airplane exhaust releases carbon monoxide into the air that you breathe.
Testing for the presence of carbon monoxide in the home will detect as little as 50 ppm (before it becomes dangerous to you
and your family). Our inspectors are prepared to conduct this sort of testing utilizing short-term electronic testing devices
at appropriate locations throughout your home.
WOOD-DESTROYING ORGANISMS/INSECTS
Termites,
which play a positive role in recycling wood and plant material, become a problem when they consume structural lumber. Every
year thousands of U.S. housing units require termite treatment. These pests cause serious damage to wooden structures and
posts and can also attack stored food, household furniture, and books. Successful termite management requires special skills,
including a working knowledge of building construction and an understanding of termite biology and identification. In most
cases, it is advisable to hire a professional pest control company for the inspection and control problem.
Wood-boring
beetle larvae feed on wood and wood products. Adults of some species bore holes into plaster, plastic, and soft metals.
Many species cause problems when emerging from wood in newly constructed buildings because they leave small circular or oval
exit holes in the wood. To avoid these problems, infested wood must be kiln-fried before being used for lumber. The species
Deathwatch Beetles is primarily found in soft woods (girder, beams, foundation timbers, some types of furniture, with some
species attacking books). False Powder post female beetles bore a tunnel, or egg gallery, into wood or other materials, then
deposit eggs in pores or cracks within the tunnel. Adults of some species bore through such soft metal as lead and silver,
as well as plaster and other non-wood materials. Affected structural wood should be removed and replaced whenever possible.
Wood Wasps and Horntails. Wood wasp damage in buildings is likely to be more cosmetic than structurally
weakening. Emerging wood wasps can chew through any substance: wallboard or plaster walls, hardwood floors, carpeting, linoleum,
non-ceramic floor tiles, and other interior surfaces.
Carpenter Ants. Several species can damage
wood in building and other structures. Though ants don’t eat wood, they bore into it to make their nests, sometimes
causing serious structural damage. Also, they nest in hollow doors, cracks and crevices, furniture, wall voids, and termite
galleries. New building infestation occurs when land cleaning in the area disturbs existing native colonies.
Excerpts
from University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources, UCIPMOnline, “Statewide Pest Management Program”.
