Basement dampness with possible MOLD

[OSU Beavers]

There I said it: "Evidence of dampness and mold or mildew in the unfinished basement access hall and laundry room, possibly from the unvented clothes dryer."

This is on a rental property. Now the LO wants us to: "Please remove the word MOLD and make a comment that dampness is common for basements." My response is going to be: "Owner must properly vent the clothes dryer exhaust, remove the black build up of mold or mildew in the unfinished basement access hall and provide a letter from a certified mold professional that the levels of mold in the basement do not constitute a risk to the structure or the health of the occupants." As I am not an expert in the field of mold inspection I cannot remove the word from the report.

We live on the dry side of the state so dampness in basements are not common and this was the first time I was grossed out enough to state possible mold or mildew in the report.

How go you folks handle basement dampness and possible mold or mildew?

 

[Doug Meyer]

I just recommend inspection from a professional in the field as I am not qualified to make any other comments. I do not even recommend removal as you stated above. Guess I am just old fashioned and conservative.

 

[Mr Rex]

Ditto Doug, except I call it unidentified fungal growth, call a professional in that field.

 

[OSU Beavers]

We only identified the possible problem in the report and haven't responded to the LO yet.

 

[Scott Kibler]

Unless you are an expert with slimey growing things I'd probably refer to it as "black staining" or maybe "possible biological growth" if it is sufficiently three dimensional.

 

[BOB PADRICK]

What is a

basement? Can't recall many of those down here....lol!

 

[Blueprint]

When you do that, you are telling them you are an expert. As a result, you must be able to defend that under all circumstances. For myself, I would never specify as detailed of a condition as you did. I am not a qualified expert to determine the root problem of mold among other things.

Just explain to detail what you saw upon inspection. Unless you have worked as a pro in the mold or "whatever you experience" industry, always condition for inspection by a qualified professional to determine the root cause. That way you do things right and keeps a bit of unneeded stress out of the way.

 

[Mike Kennedy]

would suggest "mold-like" greenish, blueish, blackish, substance evident (see photo addenda). would state in report "damp basements are atypical", would NOT change report to indicate to the contrary (lo exerting undue influence).........for example:

SITE COMMENTS: "USPAP Regulations and Fannie Mae Guidelines require detailed subject description including adverse or potentially health, safety, and/or hazardous conditions. As of the Effective Date of Appraisal, "mold-like" greenish, blueish, blackish, substances on the basement walls were readily evident (see photo addenda). In addition significant moisture/dampness conditions were evident (see photo addenda). The Appraiser is not a licensed Environmental Substance nor Basement Foundation expert and is not qualified to confirm whether apparent "mold-like" substances or hidden foundation elements which may contribute to an existing dampness condition evident during routine, cursory, inspection. Therefore, the Final Value Opinion rendered herein is necessarily subject to expert inspection by an Environmental Substance expert and engineer to confirm a cure for evident dampness and "mold-like" substances is only cosmetic. If expert inspections indicate to the contrary, then, re-appraisal would most probably be required as this would impact both marketability and market value for the subject."


ps. "it is what it is - DAMP".

 

[BRCJR]

just put a pic in and say look at this crap!

 

[Blueprint]

just put a pic in and say look at this crap!

Bill is clearly the smart one. A pic of course best explains what was experienced at the scene of the crime. No one can argue a good picture.