2.1. Roof
2.2. Exterior and
Grounds
2.3. Basement,
Foundation, Crawlspace &
Structure
2.4. Heating,
Cooling and Ventilation
2.5. Plumbing
2.6. Attic, Ventilation
& Insulation
2.7. Doors, Windows
& Interior
3. Limitations,
Exceptions & Exclusions
4. Definitions
1.1. A mold
inspection is a
non-invasive visual
examination of a building to
identify and report on
conditions that have lead
to moisture intrusion, water
damage and conditions
conducive to microbial
growth or the actual existence of
microbial growth.
If such conditions are
present samplings may be
taken by the inspector to
send to a laboratory for analysis.
Limited sampling may also be
recommended in the absence of visible
conducive conditions as a
precautionary measure; such as a
carpet sample, as such
conditions might be
concealed.
Unless otherwise agreed to the
inspection
will be performed on the primary
structure and primary parking
structure.
A mold inspection is valid
for the date of such inspection and
cannot predict future
microbial growth.
A mold inspection is not a
home (property) inspection.
A mold inspection is not a
comprehensive indoor air quality
inspection.
A mold inspection is
limited to the visible systems
and components, as described in
Section 2, of the building and will
report
conditions as noted above
and will report any
system or component
not inspected and why
- further limited to the inspection of a
representative sampling of such
systems and components.
2.1. Roof
I. The inspector shall
inspect from ground level or
eaves:
A. The roof covering.
B. The gutters.
C. Roof drainage.
D. The vents, flashings, skylights,
chimney and other roof
penetrations.
II. The inspector is not
required to:
A. Walk on any roof surface.
B. Predict the service life
expectancy.
C. Perform a water test
2.2. Exterior and Grounds
I. The inspector shall
inspect:
A. The cladding, flashing and
trim.
B. All exterior doors, decks, stoops,
steps, stairs, porches, railings,
eaves, soffits and fascias and
windows.
C. The grading, surface drainage
within 6’ of the footprint of the
building footprint
II. The inspector is not
required to:
A. Inspect an underground
drainage system.
2.3.
Basement, Foundation &
Crawlspace
I. The inspector shall
inspect:
A. The foundation, basement and or
crawl space including ventilation,
window wells, separation of wood to
soil and drainage
systems.
II. The inspector is not
required to:
A. Operate sump pumps with
inaccessible floats.
2.4. Heating,
Cooling and Ventilation
I. The inspector shall
inspect:
A. Air Handler, fan and air
filter.
B. Condensate pump and lines.
C. Visible duct work.
2.5. Plumbing
I. The inspector shall
inspect:
A. Main water line.
B. Water supply lines.
C. Waste lines and venting.
D. Faucets and drains.
E. Water heater.
F. Fixtures such as toilets, showers
and tubs (limited to operating the
same but does not require filling as
a part of the inspection
process).
2.6. Attic, Ventilation &
Insulation
I. The inspector shall
inspect:
A. The insulation.
B. The ventilation of attic
spaces.
C. Mechanical ventilation
systems.
D. Framing and sheathing.
II. The inspector is not
required to:
A. Enter the attic or unfinished
spaces that are not readily
accessible or where entry could
cause damage or pose a safety hazard
to the inspector in his or her
opinion.
B. To move, touch, or disturb
insulation.
C. To move, touch or disturb vapor
retarders.
D. Break or otherwise damage the
surface finish or weather seal on or
around access panels and covers.
2.7. Doors, Windows &
Interior
I. The inspector shall
inspect:
A. The walls, ceilings, floors, doors
and windows.
B. The ventilation in the kitchen,
bathrooms and laundry.
II. The inspector is not
required to:
A. Inspect or move any
household appliances.
3. Limitations, Exceptions &
Exclusions
3.1. Limitations:
I. A mold inspection is not
technically exhaustive.
II. A mold inspection will not
identify concealed or latent
defects.
III These Standards of Practice apply
only to homes with four or fewer
dwelling units.
3.2. Exclusions:
I. The inspector is not
required to:
A. Report the
condition of any
system or component
that is not readily
accessible nor included in the
Standards of Practice.
B. Report the service life
expectancy of any system or
component.
C. Report the size,
capacity, BTU, performance, or
efficiency of any component
or system.
D. Report or determine the
cause or reason of any
condition.
F. Perform a geotechnical,
structural, geological
evaluation.
G. Report compliance with
codes, regulations or installation
guidelines.
I. Report the presence of
evidence of rodents, animals, insects
or wood destroying pests or organisms
including fungus.
J. Determine replacement or repair
cost estimates.
K. Inspect or report on any
other environmental issue.
II. The inspector is not
required to operate:
A. Any system that is
shut down.
B. Any system that does not
function properly.
C. Any system that does not
turn on with the use of normal
operating controls.
F. Any shut off valves or manual stop
valves.
G. Any electrical disconnect or over
current protection devices.
III. The inspector is not
required to:
A. Move any personal items or other
obstructions, such as, but not
limited to: throw rugs, furniture,
floor or wall coverings, ceiling
tiles, window coverings, equipment,
plants, ice, debris, snow, water,
dirt, foliage or appliances.
B. Dismantle, open, or
uncover any system or
component.
C. Enter or access any area which
may, in the opinion of the
inspector, to be
unsafe or risk personal
safety.
D. Enter crawlspaces or other areas
that are unsafe or not
readily
accessible.
E. Do anything which, in the
inspector’s, is likely to be
unsafe or dangerous to the
inspector or others or damage
property, such as, but not limited
to, walking on roof surfaces,
climbing ladders, entering attic
spaces or negotiating with dogs.
F. Determine the insurability of a
property.
4. Definintions
4.1. Accessible: Can be approached or
entered by the inspector safely,
without difficulty, fear or danger.
4.2. Component(s): A permanently
installed or attached fixture,
element or part of a system.
4.3. Condition(s): The visible and
conspicuous state of being of an
object.
4.4. Dismantle: To open, take apart
or remove any component,
device or piece that would not
typically be opened, taken apart or
removed by an ordinary occupant.
4.5. Household Appliances: Kitchen
and laundry appliances, room air
conditioners, and similar appliances.
4.6 Invasive: To probe,
dismantle or take apart a
system or component.
4.7 Microbial: Microscopic organism
such as mold.
4.8 Normal Operating Controls:
Devices such as thermostats that
would be operated by ordinary
occupants which require no
specialized skill or knowledge.
4.9. Readily Accessible: An item or
component is readily
accessible if, in the judgment
of the inspector, it is capable of
being safely observed without
movement of obstacles, detachment or
disengagement of connecting or
securing devices, or other
unsafe or difficult
procedures to gain access.
4.10. Report: A written communication
(possibly including digital images)
of conditions seen during
the inspection.
4.11 Sampling: The collection of air,
swab or carpet samples for analysis.
4.12. Shut Down: Turned off,
unplugged, inactive, not in service,
not operational, etc.
4.13. Inspect(ed): To visually look
at readily accessible
systems and
components safely, using
normal operating controls
and accessing readily
accessible panels and areas in
accordance with these Standards of
Practice.
4.14. Inspector: One who performs a
inspection.
4.15. System(s): An assembly of
various components to
function as a whole.
4.16. Technically Exhaustive: A
comprehensive and detailed
examination beyond the scope of a
mold inspection which
would involve or include, but would
not be limited to: dismantling,
specialized knowledge or training,
special equipment, measurements,
calculations, testing, research,
analysis or other means.
4.17. Unsafe: A condition in a
readily accessible,
installed system or
component which is judged to
be a significant risk of personal
injury during normal, day-to-day use.
The risk may be due to damage,
deterioration, improper installation
or a change in accepted residential
construction standards.
