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 inspections are no substitutes 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 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”.
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 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”.
