Seymour Indiana home inspector reveals Asbestos

Indiana Home Inspector Tells About Negative Grading

New Albany Home Inspector-Downspout Extensions

Louisville home inspector explains horizontal cracking

Indiana Home Inspector-Water Heater

Louisville Home Inspector Impressed Me!

A true professional home inspector. Very prompt and ready to get the job done as soon as he stepped out of the truck. Revealed more about my home than I thought possible. Very pleased with services, saved me money, informing me of small problems that could have turned into large problems. Very reasonable price for the service received. Highly recommend to all who are buying or selling a home. You WILL be impressed. April 09, 2009 by: Steve McPike THANK YOU! Louisville Kentucky 40201

New Albany Home Inspector Talks About Knob & Tube Wiring

Types of Mold In Southern Indiana & Louisville area

TYPES OF MOLD

Alternaria-Extremely widespread and common spore, common in soil, dead plants and foodstuff.  It is often found indoors growing on cellulosic materials and as settled dust on carpets, textiles,etc.  Potential opportunistic human pathogen.  Commonly recognized as type I(Hayfever) and type III hypersensitivity pneumontis.

Epicoccum- A common allergen found in plants, soil, grains, textiles, and paper products, secondary invader of damaged plant tissue.   Common cause of type I allergies ( Hayfever, asthma) No cases of infection have been reported in humans or animals.

Basidiospores-  Spores from one of the major groups of fungi that include mushrooms like the shelf fungi, puffballs and common button mushrooms sold in grocery stores.  Most spores produced from this group of fungi have not been found to be allergenic  or toxic.

Penicillium/Aspergillus- This group is considered common to indoor environments, it is widesrpead in the soil and on plants and is also considered a common contaminant of food.  It has a musty odor.  It is commonly being implicated in pulmonary disease in immunocompromised hosts.  It has also been reported to cause skin infections many species produce mycotoxins, which may be associated with disease in humans and other animals.  Toxin production is dependent on the strain  or on the food source on which it grows.  Some of these toxins have been found to be carcinogenic in animal species.  Several toxins are considered potential human carcinogens.

Stachybotrys-  This is a slow growing, dark mold that grows well on cellulosic (paper-containging) building materials.  It can produce a number of different macrocyclic trichothecenes that have been described as being toxic to humans and animals.  Individuals with chronic flu like symptoms, sore throats, headaches, fatigue, dermatitis, itching and burning sensations of the eyes and nose and general malaise.  This mold is rarely found in outdoor samples and it is usually not found in indoor air samples unless the colony is physically disturbed

Eurotium-  Rarely considered a human pathogen, rarely found in the air and is a slow growing fungus that requires low moisture availability.  Common in the natural environment.

Chaetomium-  Common everywhere growing on dung, dead leaves, wood.  Likes cellulose substrates, especially wallboard and wood.  Commonly associated with type I (hay fever and asthma) allergies, uncommonly seen infecting humans but some cases have been reported mostly on immuno compromised persons.  Produces chaetoglobosins and rarely sterigomatocystin

Smuts-  Commonly  found everywhere especially on logs, grasses and weeds.  Smuts don’t normally grow indoors but can occasionally be found on things brought from outside and stored in the house.  Myzomycetes can occasionally grow indoors but need lots of water to be established.  Type I (Hay fever and asthma) allergies,  smuts and myzomycetes are a combined group of organisms because their spores look so similar and cannot be reliably distinquished from each other.

At Certainty Home Inspections, we are EPA mold specialists serving the Southern Indiana and Louisville area.

Book your inspection online today!

What Is Asbestos

In Indiana & Kentucky, Asbestos is still a concern for this Indiana Home Inspector! If you have questions on asbestos, don’t hesitate to call us with your questions at 1-866-417-9591 or schedule your home inspection
online today! Certainty Home Inspections performs inspections in Southern Indiana and Louisville

W

What Is Asbestos? Asbestos is made from fibrous minerals and was widely used in many products because of its strength and tolerance to high temperatures and chemicals. Commonly found in older home construction materials.

On the exterior, asbestos shingles and siding were often applied and although the asbestos cement shingles are less commonly found these days, the asbestos siding has proven very durable and quite resilient. The asbestos cement siding has no health concerns unless pulverized to create dust or burned to release fumes.

Homes of 1930 through the 1950s construction are commonly found to have asbestos or (vermiculite) insulation. Other interior asbestos uses included floor coverings; these are typically square tiles or vinyl sheets applied with an adhesive backing. Plumbing supply and drain pipe insulation, this usually has a white canvas type covering over a fibrous insulation material. Flue pipe and heating distribution insulation, somewhat resembles white surgical tape and most commonly seen on metal distribution pipes for the heating system, as it was used to seal junctions and connections of the piping,. Ceiling tiles and wall coverings, normally found in suspended ceiling tiles and wall paint and patching or repair material. Use of these materials was banned in 1977. Gas fire place embers and ashes and old stove- pads may contain asbestos. Asbestos paper, or cement compounds were used to protect the floor and wall around wood stoves.

Not so fast though, identifying asbestos material is not so easy and visual examination alone is not always reliable. This means sampling and lab analysis will be required to confirm the presence of asbestos.  Taking samples your self is never recommended. Most reputable home inspection firms provide certified sampling professionals who know what to look for and how to reduce risks while extracting a sample and can provide you with lab results within 72 hours.

In fact, the EPA states that when you’re in doubt about the material you should treat it as if it contains asbestos or have it sampled and analyzed by a qualified professional. This is because sampling done incorrectly can be more hazardous than leaving the material alone. Material that is not deteriorated, damaged or hat is not going to be physically disturbed, should be left alone.

Although we always recommend that sampling should be done, we have had home buyers decide not to have a sample analyzed, choosing to encapsulate this material on the heating distribution pipes by tapping over it with common duct tape, only to be denied service from a local heating and air duct cleaning company. Upon discovering the possible asbestos tape, the cleaning company refused service.

If you choose to live with suspect asbestos materials you’ll want to be cautious not to cause damage or disturb it in any way. If it is or becomes damaged avoid being in the immediate area don’t clean up any debris from the damaged area and be careful not to track it inside. Consulting a professional for repair or removal of the material is recommended. Keeping in mind that removal posses risks of exposure and can be expensive and sometimes required by state regulations when remodeling.

For more information on asbestos, please visit the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)

What Causes Mold!

What Causes Mold, you ask? Mold cannot exist without moisture. Therefore, any moisture whatsoever,
whether it be from inadequate grading and drainage, a leaking roof, window,
or door, or moisture from a faulty exhaust vent, a condensate pipe, an evaporator coil,
or a component of a plumbing system should be serviced immediately, or the
potential for mold contamination will remain.

What’s The Concern: Mold is a microorganism that has tiny seeds, or spores,
that are spread on the air, land, and feed on organic matter.
It has been in existence throughout human history, and actually contributes
to the life process. It takes many different forms, many of them benign, like mildew.
Allergensare relatively benign but can provoke allergic reactions among sensitive people.
Pathogens adverse health effects on large segments of the population,such as the very
young, the elderly, and people with suppressed immune systems. Toxigens however, less
common represent a serious health threat.

All molds flourish in the presence of moisture,es pecially where there could be a water
source, including that from condensation. We look for any evidence of it throughout the
home inspection process. Interestingly, the molds that commonly appear on ceramic tiles
in bathrooms do not usually constitute a health threat, but they should be removed. However,
some visibly similar molds that form on cellulose materials, such as on drywall, plaster, and
wood, are potentially toxigenic. If mold is to be found anywhere within a home, it will likely be in the area of tubs, showers, toilets, sinks, water heaters, evaporator coils, inside attics with un-vented bathroom exhaust fans, and return-air compartments that draw outside air. Nevertheless, mold can appear as though spontaneously at any time, so you should be prepared to monitor your home, and particularly those areas that we have identified. Naturally, it is equally
important to maintain clean air-supply ducts and to change filters as soon as they become
soiled, because contaminated ducts are a common breeding ground for dust mites, rust,
and other contaminants.
specific identification of molds can only

be determined by specialists and laboratory analysis. We recommend that you
have your home tested for the presence of any such contaminants, and particularly if you or any member of your family suffers from allergies or asthma. Also, you can learn more
about mold from an Environmental Protection Agency document entitled “A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home,” by visiting their web site at: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldguide.html/, from which it can be downloaded
Certainy has certified mold inspectors serving Southern Indiana and the Louisville area.

Next Page »