Everyone's jumping on mold testing

[Restrain]

Saw a home mold test kit for sale at Lowe's today. Buy, swab and send in. At least it gives you an idea of what you are dealing with and may save you the expensive of a professional environmental exam. Of course, if it comes back with one of the bad molds, then you are put on notice.

 

[Ross (CO)]

I guess any homeowner can run a test for mold but I really wonder if this test can be performed satisfactorily enough to isolate the pathogenic mold from the non-pathogenic stuff. There are radon test kits and lead paint test kits and formaldehyde test kits on store shelves too. Most might just show a presence-of the substance. At the consumer-use and consumer-priced levels do such tests have the weight or merit to be used against an appraiser who may have "missed" these aspects during our visit to the property and viewing of readily-observed aspects ? If not tested by a guy in a white lab coat, with a PhD on the wall and a State-issued license, then such a test may not have much credibility. We usually might introduce our appropriate disclaimer comments when we note potential of concern like visible mold (multi-colored gunk) or lead-paint (chipping and age of house) or radon (because it is known in the area). What's to stop someone from swabbing the mold on the bread or cheese in their refrigerator, or the basic dirt and crud build-up in the shower or tub, just to see what the test results are ? I guess they can test anything they desire. It sure does help the bottom line at the Lowe's store !

 

[Jim McGrath]

Saw a home mold test kit for sale at Lowe's today. Buy, swab and send in. At least it gives you an idea of what you are dealing with and may save you the expensive of a professional environmental exam. Of course, if it comes back with one of the bad molds, then you are put on notice.

A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing, it can get you into a heap of trouble.

Only some types of mold can be tested with a swab, others require a capture of the mold in the air, which requires different tests. All tests require expert knowledge of what you are doing. Home mold test kit are an example of a company trying to cash in on a problem, and are not to be trusted.

Some mold sites are;
http://www.medallionhealthyhomes.com/

Another with limited information is.
http://hometest.com/

Jim

 

[Elliott]

As I am fond of saying in my reports,

"The appraiser is not expert in matters of dryrot, mold spores, pest control, structural engineering, roofing, survey, environmental liability, plumbing, heating, electrical, or appliances. No expertise or warranty is implied in these or other areas. If the user of the report has concerns about these or other areas, a qualified expert should be consulted."

Mold spore, what's a mold spore??

elliott

 

[Jim McGrath]

As I am fond of saying in my reports,

"The appraiser is not expert in matters of dryrot, mold spores, pest control, structural engineering, roofing, survey, environmental liability, plumbing, heating, electrical, or appliances. No expertise or warranty is implied in these or other areas. If the user of the report has concerns about these or other areas, a qualified expert should be consulted."

Mold spore, what's a mold spore??

elliott

Elliot, dryrot is another area where many appraisers are lacking in knowledge. Here in Florida wetrot is a common problem, but most appraisers call it dryrot. They have different causes and cures. In 25+ years of appraising I have seen only one real case of dryrot in this area, but I see lots of wetrot almost every day. Dryrot is somewhat difficult to determine, but with a little work you can.

It is unfortunate, that our CE classes contain so much redunant information, and fail to teach appraisers something they can use everyday. It is not necessary to become an expert, but they should learn enough to keep them out of trouble.

Jim