IS YOUR NEXT PURCHASE REALLY A GOOD DEAL?
Due to the the mold limits the insurance companies have established in insurance policy coverage, the banking crisis, and the increasing jobs that are being lost in this economy, many homes have been and are being foreclosed upon. This brings additional inventories into the buying market but not without caution. The banks do not want to hold onto the housing inventory although they don’t want to lose to much money when selling them either.
Many buyers are thinking this is a great time to purchase and it can be. On the other hand, if you buy a home or building that has a mold or mildew problem you could be inheriting “BIG” problems and these problems come with “LARGE” or “HIDDEN” price tags attached. These additional remediation (or cleaning) cost must be considered as part of the purchase price to really determine if you are getting your the value you expected at the time of your purchase. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III) Mr. Gordon said the average mold clean-up cost were running from $30-$32 thousand and can easily exceed $100,000.00. If the insurance industry understood these cost – shouldn’t you?
CAN I ALWAYS DETECT MOLD WHEN I VIEW THE PROPERTY?
The answer is simply NO! Be aware that some odors can mask other unwanted odors like mold or a musty odors to a potential buyer. Many sellers are doing remediation themselves and covering up the mold with new repairs and paint. It could take under the right conditions some month or even a year to discover your dream home or new purchase has had or does have a mold problem.
New paint or freshly restored properties can be a hint that the property may have suffered from a prior mold problem. New carpeting or other renovation odors may also mask the hidden mold within the ceilings or walls.
HOW CAN I DETERMINE IF THE NEW HOME OR BUILDING PURCHASE HAS MOLD?
It is not always detected by visual inspection alone. Because mold spores are smaller than the unaided eye is able to detect surface and air sampling are good means to determine if mold and or its fragments have settled or are presently airborn at the time samples are collected. Prior to sampling and during your initial inspection some things you should look for are:
1) Mold or musty odors;
2) Water stains or prior water damage;
3) Roof leaks in the attic;
4) Stains on ceilings;
5) Moisture migrating through slabs;
6) Water marks in the cellar; or
7) Look for new work or remodeling that was recently completed – Don’t be fooled.
WILL THERE ALWAYS BE AN ODOR?
Many times you will detect a moldy or musty odor. Not everyone is able to detect certain odors – odors are subjective. This means other odors may cover-up the moldy or musty odors or the odor is below your detection level. Many husbands or wives call our office stating that he/she does not detect the odor of the complaining spouse – please come and help. Prior to the call they have concluded it is in their head and the problem doesn’t really exist – they are only calling due to the persistent spouse. Many homes and building are flooding the market at this time and along with the numerous sales come hidden problems. The best option is to call EATechs to come in and inspect the possible purchase before its too late. Once you own the foreclosed or newly purchased property, you own or inherit everything that comes with it – including the unexpected clean-up bill.
WHAT IF THE BANK OR SELLER DID A MOLD TEST?
Would you hire the other side’s expert to protect your investment? They are looking out for their client’s interest and you too should have someone looking out for your interest. The banks (or seller) are not likely going to paid their expert to conduct a sampling regiment that will be more thorough in the collection process. Each seller knows that looking for problems will only add to reducing the selling price. Nor are they likely going to hire the most qualified expert to collect the samples. On the other hand; due to lack of experience their expert may have simply missed important details that could focus in on the reservoir.
CALL EATechs TO SCHEDULE A MOLD INSPECTION
When you call EATechs you do not get a home inspector who has the majority of their training on construction and mechanical aspects of your building and lacks the needed extensive experience required to inspect for mold. At EATechs we will send out a third party accredited Council-certified Microbial Consultant (CMC) that has IAQ and building science experience. Unlike many professing IAQ professionals, a CMC must meet the following criteria:
CMC Has Met The Following Required Body of Knowledge:
The effective practice of microbial consulting requires detailed knowledge of a variety of subjects, from microbiology and microbial risk analysis to the various disciplines of the building sciences. For certification purposes, the candidate for the CMC™ designation must demonstrate familiarity with the basic concepts and reference materials relating to microbial sampling.
CMC Has Met The Required Skills:
A Council-certified Microbial Consultant™ (CMC™) has demonstrated the following skills through a combination of documented experience, documented education and training and the successful completion of an examination process.
1. Scientific knowledge of the morphology and ecology of specific biological agents
- Bacteria
- Fungi
- Amebae
- Viruses
- Dust Mites
- Endotoxins and other Bacterial cell-wall components
- Fungal Toxins
- ß-(1-3)-D-Glucans
- Antigens
- mVOCs
2. An understanding of the health effects and risks associated with bioaerosol exposure
3. The ability to conduct microbial investigations – including knowledge of the general principles governing their design and execution
4. The ability to design and execute appropriate microbial sampling regimens
- The ability to design appropriate sampling strategies
- An understanding of current sampling technologies and their proper use, including instrument calibration and limitations
- The ability to follow effective protocols during the execution of a sampling regimen
5. The ability to analyze sampling data accurately
6. The ability to evaluate and interpret sampling data responsibly
7. The ability to execute or recommend appropriate prevention, control, and remediation measures in cases of microbial contamination indoors
Don’t Be Fooled, Not All Certifications Are The Same. The CMC Designation Is Accredited by The Council Of Engineering & Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB) As An Engineering Level Designation.
Council-certified Microbial Consultant (CMC)*
* CESB Engineering Level (8 years minimum experience required)
Third Party Accreditation (CESB)
The Council for Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB) has accredited certification programs in engineering and applied science since 1990. CESB is entirely independent of industry organizations, and exists solely to promote high standards in the certification industry. Candidates for certification must pass a standardized exam based on a range of industry texts and administered independently of training organizations. These “industry certifications” are more difficult to acquire and often more expensive to maintain. Certificate holders are respected by insurance companies as experts in their field and by juries as authorities in the courtroom.
Before You Purchase You Next Home Or Building, Schedule An Inspection By Calling EATechs at 413-569-5554 And Don’t Let Your Project Become Their Learning Experence.