The Truth About Mold Inspectors
Don't be confused by the false claims of inexperienced "inspectors"
MAN Y INSPECTORS ARE CLAIMING TO BE MOLD INSPECTORS
Don't be confused by those who claim to be experts in the inspection and identification of mold spores. Since there is no licensing in West Virginia of mold inspectors, many home inspectors are entering the business without the necessary training and education to provide meaningful and accurate reports on properties inspected.There are very few national organizations that provide the required training and certification of individuals desiring to enter the world of mold inspection. Do not accept the word of any inspector who claims to be a certified mold inspector. We have seen home inspectors who have presented a "certificate" indicating that he/she has completed an on-line study (refresher) course in mold inspecting. These are normally courses designed to provide continuing education credits for certified mold inspector and do not rise to the level of training mold inspectors who are capable of conducting correct testing procedures. interpreting laboratory reports and authoring a final and comprehensive report to the property owner.Be absolutely sure that your mold inspector can provide proof of insurance (error & omissions and liability) as a mold inspector. Do not accept proof of insurance as a home inspector. Almost all home inspector insurance policies specifically exclude the inspection, evaluation or testing of or the failure to inspect, evaluate or test any fungus(i), mold(s), mildew and/or yeast. In short and in fact, unless specifically stated in the home inspector's insurance policy, the home inspector's insurance is worthless in claims regarding mold inspection and evaluation. In other words, should the inspector's mold report prove to be worthless and inaccurate, the property owner has no alternative except legal action. Remember - should you purchase a residence that is contaminated with mold spores, the cost of remediation (removal) of the mold, often costing tens of thousand of dollars, will then be your responsibility and your costs.REQUIREMENTS OF CERTIFIED MOLD INSPECTORS
Certified mold inspectors are trained in the correct procedures to be used in the examination of structures being evaluated, collection of air, surface, ERMI and DNA specimens, interpretation of laboratory reports and construction of a final mold report for the property owner. Each of these tasks is completed by way of nationally-recognized procedures. The certified mold inspector will normally submit a 15-20 page final report on any mold inspection project. Yet, recently we found a WV home inspector who didn't even know the correct procedure for collecting specimens and submitted a "final report" to the homeowner consisting of a handwritten 8-line report which concluded, "I have no mold concerns with this property...." He had provided no interpretation of the laboratory analysis (because he didn't understand it). Respectfully, what does his response mean?InspectRite mold reports consists of at least the following sections: Credentials & Certifications, Visual Inspection Process, Surface Sampling, Air Testing Procedure, Background Information, Observations, Air Sampling Conducted, Climatic Conditions, Interpreting Your Laboratory Results, Analysis of Results, Conclusion, Recommendations, Included by Reference, Disclaimer and is signed by the inspector conducting the mold inspection.MOLD INSPECTOR'S RESPONSIBILITIES
Acceptable procedures for mold inspectors require that the inspector evaluate the subject property according to industry standards. Based on these findings, the certified mold inspector is required to determine the correct sampling methods to be used. Sampling equipment is then calibrated and samples acquired. These samples are then forwarded to a nationally-certified testing laboratory for culturing, identifying and counting the mold spores found in the specimens submitted. Finally, a certified mold inspector will analyze the laboratory report in the context of the conditions recorded at the subject structure.The mold inspector is the final authority in the preparation of the report - not the laboratory. Obviously, inspectors lacking the proper training and education have no idea what they are to do with the laboratory report. Most will simply send it to the property owner without comment. Of course, this is worthless.Don't be lead astray by mold inspector impersonators. This could prove to be a very costly error and one that may have long range health concerns.
