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. While we may be able to alert you to possible problems,
our basic inspection is no substitute for specialized contaminant testing.
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 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”.
WOOD-DESTROYING ORGANISMS/INSECTS
Termites, while playing 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-fired before being used for lumber. The species Deathwatch Beetle is primarily found in soft woods (girder, beams, foundation
timbers, some types of furniture, with some species attacking books). False Powderpost 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”.
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