Pre-Purchase Mould Test When Buying Real Estate

[July 31, 2003]

A. One swab test from the crawl space is not enough. Either you [using one of our do it yourself mould test kits] or a mould inspector can attach an open mould test kit to a pre-cleaned [with rubbing alcohol] box fan with the open side of the kit being directly facing the outward air flow from the fan. Place the fan at the entrance to the crawl space for 10 minutes so that the fan will suck out air from the moldy crawl space onto the sticky surface of the mould test kit which you have taped to the fan. Please follow our easy instructions published at: Mould Mart mould growth from the crawl space and basement can easily spread [grow] into the ceiling, floors, and walls above the crawl space and basement. mould spores from those areas can also easily spread by air movement into the rest of your house. If you are serious about buying this house, you will need to have a Certified Mould Inspector inspect [fiber optics] and mould test inside all basement/crawl space ceilings, the floors above, the walls above, plus mould test the air of all rooms, attic, and the outward flow from all heating/cooling duct registers. Air tests are to determine if there are present elevated levels of airborne mould spores, in comparison to an outdoor control test. Learn all about mould inspection and mould testing by visiting: mould types, mould inspector, and mould inspection.

[July 20, 2003]

Q. I recently had a pre-purchase mould test done on a piece of property. My reason for such test was the knowledge of two prior leaks found in the basement, one just last year and the other in 1998. The test showed the presence of Stachybotrys mould in the basement. Could you please email me with any information you might have regarding the hazards associated with Stachybotrys mould in homes?

A. Stachybotrys mould [also known sometimes spelled as Stachybotris] is considered the most dangerous mould species because it has the potential to destroy the brains of persons living or working in Stachy-contaminated homes, apartments, or work places. You were very wise to have hired mould testing in view of the known prior water leaks. Even in the absence of such knowledge of prior water problems, paying for pre-purchase mould inspection and pre-purchase mould testing for a home, condo, or other real estate property being considered for your purchase is very wise so that you don't end up owning a property for which mould remediation of any hidden or visible mould infestation problems can cost more than the value of the property being purchased. A property with a mould history is very difficult to re-sell---another good reason to to do pre-purchase mould inspection and arrange for pre-purchase mould tests to avoid purchasing a moldy home, condo, apartment, office, or commercial real estate property. In addition, you don't want to ruin your family's health by living in a mould-contaminated home. When buying a property, in the contract, have your attorney or realtor insert an environmental inspection clause that gives you at least 21 days to inspect and test a property environmentally [mould is not the only health environmental risk that can be lurking in a property].  The sale becomes contingent upon your approval of the property AFTER you have received the environmental inspection and testing report [for which you are the one to pay]. To hire a Certified Mould Inspector to inspect and mould test a property, please visit: mould profession. If you want to do your own inspection and testing, follow the advice in our book Mould Health Book plus use our do it yourself mould test kits with our expert mould laboratory analysis [Mould Mart].