| 1. I am buying a house and
the inspector found a small mold in the attic/basement. Do I need
an inspection or can I just clean it?
ANSWER: We recommended whenever
any mold or mold like presence is identified that the property be inspected by a specialist
to see if there is mold growing anywhere else. Typically if you
have some in the attic or basement there is a greater than 80%
chance there is mold elsewhere often unseen. If this is a major investment
or you have a health concern there is only one answer. If you have any doubts about health risk see # 3 on our  page.
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| 2. The basement is damp in
this house and there is a moldy/musty smell. I do not see mold.
Could there still be a mold problem?
ANSWER: Mold must have water
or a high vapor presence or humidity. Water plus a suitable growth
surface such as wood, paneling, insulation, dust and dirt will allow
mold to grow especially inside the walls. Mold gas is what you are
often smelling that most people call "a musty smell" .
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| 3. I just moved into
the house we bought and now found mold. What should I do?
ANSWER: You must act quickly
and have it competently inspected to fully document it in the event
there is major mold damage that will require repair. We have seen
many inspections that failed to notice mold damage. We have also seen
many cases where mold damage is undisclosed or concealed by the
seller. You, the new owner may have to
pay for some very expensive repairs. Look at your home
inspection report and see if it is noted or any reference to water
damage. If so noted you must have it inspected. See # 11 on our page.
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| 4. Since moving into this house
I have been getting sick. Could this be caused by mold or something
else?
ANSWER: Look for clues such
as mold growth or odor first. Also leave the property for a
few hours (or full day) and see if the symptoms go away for a sure
sign your symptoms are related to the property. See an
allergist or immunologist. If you have a strong belief or what appears to be mold call us. We often find other causes afffecting human health.
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| 5. What does an inspection
cost?
ANSWER: Depends who you call and
what their pitch is. All the free inspections are tied in with a contractor
that gives you a "free inspection" with repairs. Free inspections
do not include a analytical report. Under law if it is not in writing
it des not exist. Generally a flat fee, hourly and lab work if needed. Obtain a free consultaion if you are considering any investigator- If no free consutation you should not use them.
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| 6. What is involved in an inspection?
ANSWER: A phone consultation with the mycologist/aerobiologist
then and on-site visit for the inspection with, then study with a
final concluding report. If mold is found it may be tested and require
lab work depending on the full inspection and study. Our fees are determined by what needs to be done..
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| 7. Who pays for the inspection?
ANSWER: Often our inspection
are done confidentially for various legal or other reasons
for privacy.
Generally the person that orders it or the property owner. In most
cases the inspection is paid for by the seller at closing.
Sellers
are best advised to inspect their property prior to putting it on
the market if any mold is suspect to being present. |
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| 7a. To Whom do You Provide
the Reports?
ANSWER: Confidentiality. Our reports go only to the people that order
them. If a commercial property owner is ordered by the health department,
building inspector or legal authority and they require one, one
will be so provided with your release.
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| 8. I had my home inspected
for mold and still do not know what the report means can you explain
what the mold count means?.
ANSWER: We see it often a report
by an general home inspector that lists traces and varying
amounts of mold without a full contextual analysis. Such inspections
are by such inspectors that have little or no understanding of the
role mold plays in human habitations often leave people undecided
as what to do. Mold samples and counts mean nothing unless you know
why and how the counts we taken. You need a scientist in mycology to perform the study and analysis for obtaining a complete
scientific investigation with a definitive, detailed and certified analysis.
You need more than "yes you have mold"
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| 9. What qualifies anyone to
do a mold inspection?
ANSWER: Currently many states either
have just adopted regulations for training inspectors with examination.
The states that do not have an examination process are currently being
examined by anyone that is doing them. See #8 . There are scientists dedicated
to this type of research work that
are more than qualified to perform the research needed. Note: We are
lawfully experts in this area of investigation with university diplomats
in medical mycology.
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| 10. I moved into this house
with my children and we are all having symptoms that we believe are
mold related. What should we do?
ANSWER: See you doctor,
allergist or immunologist. It is a simple connection if you see and
smell mold in the place you are and you appear to have a reaction
and then when you leave that place the symptoms go away then you most
likely have a connection. |
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| 11. I purchased a mold test
kit and found mold. What should I do?
ANSWER: Depending on the
test kit. Their use requires scientific expertise in the testing and
sampling process. The test kit is nearly worthless. Resulting growth
is meaningless since mold will be found anywhere and generate a growth
since you will always find mold of nearly any and all types in any
given area including hospital operating rooms (Its not the air that infects after surgery-it is fungal mold).
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| SEE
OUR FUNGAL MOLD MYCOLOGY RESEARCH LABORATORY
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| CALL
FOR A FREE CONSULTATION |
| 973-726-9559
Our scientific and lab experience in mycology will
help us answer all of your questions about molds and related issues.
We provide total solutions including remediation project
planning, contract for structural work and supervise
the project to completion. We validate remediation
for efficacy.
INSPECTION FEES
Our services start with
a free consultation. This is done so we can determine the scope of the
inspection. Often a simple visual walk through inspection is required.
Other times and inspection requires lab sampling and analysis.
We also determine in advance whether an inspection site is considered "HOT" which means there is a high probability
of extensive mold infestation and contamination. HOT sites require full personnel protective equipment for inspection,
including respirator and contamination protection full body suit.
Our rates are based on
all these and other factors. All our fees included certified reports
for the scope of the inspection. Legal reports and opinions are available. SEE OUR INSPECTION FEE SCHEDULE for
more information
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