. The least experienced home inspector knows you should not buy a home with mold, sell a home with mold or live in a home with mold. Yet these same home inspectors don't look for mold or common mold red flags as part of their home inspection. Because they disclaim mold as part of their home inspection agreement they often fail to even mention the visible evidence of mold. A whole house mold survey with your home inspection is your first line of defense against living with mold. As part of the mold survey we look for the "mold red flags"

Three reasons why you don't want to live with mold

• Mold and mold toxins can make you sick
• Active mold colonies will severely damage your home
• Mold looks bad and it smells bad

The WHOLE HOUSE MOLD SURVEY conducted as part of a home inspection is a non-invasive, visual assessment of the home to find any "mold red flags" in the readily accessible areas of the home. The benefit with this home inspection service is that the entire house is thoroughly examined for "mold red flags" . The cause of the problem will be identified if possible and corrective measures will also be outlined.

Mold Red Flags

Mold often (but not always) ) displays visual clues that it's there. These mold red flags are visible signs of mold growth or evidence of water and moisture problems. Mold may also be indicated by the reaction of the residents or basic human sensitivity to the non-visible indicators of mold.

• VISIBLE MOLD: Visible mold comes in many colors (red, orange, black, white, etc.). Mold of any kind should not be growing in any home or work area
• Discolored spots in areas
• "Hairy" covering on surfaces similar to white or green on fruit or bread
• Slimy surfaces
• MOISTURE: Mold grows in moist environments. Mold may grow within or behind wet materials in the building. The first indication that you need to sample and test for mold is the discovery of any water related structural or design problem
• Signs of water penetrating the building (stains, moist areas, etc.)
• Evidence of any area that might allow water penetration
• Actual construction defect or deterioration that allows water enter the building
• Plumbing defects (leaky drains, pipes or toilet seats, bad caulking, etc.)
• HVAC problems (dirty, moist filters, poor condensation drainage)
• Dryer vented indoors
• Inadequate ventilation for bathrooms, laundry, spas, hot tubs, etc.
• SENSITIVITY: Human senses are a valuable tool in discovering mold
• If you think there is a musty odor, there may be mold present
• If you think a room has a damp atmosphere, there may be mold growth
• If occupants complain of allergy-type symptoms which seem to increase while in the building, mold may be the cause