PERSPECTIVES Our Perspective of Mold Mold, Mold, Mold -- It’s Everywhere Mold has become a high profile issue over the past few years as homeowners and insurance companies wrangle over the veracity of health issues and the responsibility of cleaning up mold problems. In an unusual case in Texas, a jury awarded a homeowner a million dollar settlement for damages from mold found in their home. For obvious reasons, this has gotten the attention of everyone involved in the real estate transaction process. Currently, there is no agreement among health professionals on what levels of mold are acceptable in a home. However, most homeowners acknowledge that the potential risk of mold-related health problems warrant special attention and action. Excess Moisture is the Primary Cause Mold requires a food source (building materials like wood or drywall cellulose) and water or moisture. By eliminating the source of moisture (water leaks, excess humidity, condensation, etc.) you can stop mold from growing in your home or building. It’s that simple. Preventative maintenance is the key. However, finding water/moisture entry points and sources can be complicated. A Thorough Home Inspection will Help Identify Moisture Intrusion Problems While specifically conducting a mold inspection is outside the standards of practice for a home inspector, a good inspector will examine the property for any signs of moisture or moisture intrusion issues. Any mold issues (observed or potential) should be discussed and clearly stated in the inspection report. Our inspectors are trained to identify moisture-related problems. These problems, if any, are presented in a manner that helps our clients k eep things in perspective , yet realize the potential risks of not correcting moisture intrusion issues . In many cases, homeowners can safely clean mold from the building surfaces on their own and make simple repairs to prevent further moisture intrusion. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says: “If the mold area is less than about 10 square feet (roughly a 3 foot by 3 foot patch), you can handle the job yourself.” Remember, it is important to eliminate the cause of mold rather than simply clean or mask the problem. When is a Specialist Needed? While mold is an important issue and may be a health concern for certain individuals, it can often be remedied without major expense or inconvenience. When signs of extensive mold are found however, a professional should be consulted for proper remediation. In addition, should a homeowner or potential homeowner have specific health-related concerns, mold testing can be conducted to determine the types and quantity of mold spores - although no official standards have been established for unsafe levels. The EPA has guidelines for cleaning mold and also provide suggestions about how to prevent the problem in the first place. For more information about mold, please reference the EPA website at: www .epa.gov/iaq/molds/index.html Count on BPG In addition to our thorough inspections, we provide 12 months of our Extended Advice sm program so our clients always have a direct source for accurate information about their homes. We’re working to be your expert -- we’re working to earn your business. Home Warranty I Home Inspections I Commercial Inspections I Environmental Home Warranty is offered and administered through BPG Home Warranty Company. ©2010 BPG is a registered trademark of BPG Holdings, LLC. Provided by: Rob Rehm Buyers Protection Group Licensed Home Inspector Licensed WDO Inspector NACHI Certified 800-285-3001 The Best Inspectors. Anywhere.

Mold, Mold, Mold. Its Everywhere

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Page 1: Mold, Mold, Mold. Its Everywhere

Our Perspective of MoldMold, Mold, Mold -- It’s Everywhere Mold has become a high profile issue over the past few years as homeowners and insurance companies wrangle over the veracity of health issues and the responsibility of cleaning up mold problems.In an unusual case in Texas, a jury awarded a homeowner a million dollar settlement for damages from mold found in their home. For obvious reasons, this has gotten the attention of everyone involved in the real estate transactionprocess. Currently, there is no agreement among health professionals on what levels of mold are acceptable in a home.However, most homeowners acknowledge that the potential risk of mold-related health problems warrant special attentionand action.

Excess Moisture is the Primary CauseMold requires a food source (building materials like wood or drywall cellulose) and water or moisture. By eliminating thesource of moisture (water leaks, excess humidity, condensation, etc.) you can stop mold from growing in your home or building. It’s that simple. Preventative maintenance is the key. However, finding water/moisture entry points and sources canbe complicated.

A Thorough Home Inspection will Help Identify Moisture Intrusion ProblemsWhile specifically conducting a mold inspection is outside the standards of practice for a home inspector, a good inspector will

examine the property for any signs of moisture or moisture intrusionissues. Any mold issues (observed or potential) should be discussedand clearly stated in the inspection report. Our inspectors are trainedto identify moisture-related problems. These problems, if any, are presented in a manner that helps our clients keep things in perspective, yet realize the potential risks of not correcting moistureintrusion issues. In many cases, homeowners can safely clean moldfrom the building surfaces on their own and make simple repairs toprevent further moisture intrusion. In fact, the EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA) says: “If the mold area is less than about 10square feet (roughly a 3 foot by 3 foot patch), you can handle the jobyourself.” Remember, it is important to eliminate the cause of moldrather than simply clean or mask the problem.

When is a Specialist Needed?While mold is an important issue and may be a health concern for certain individuals, it can often be remedied without majorexpense or inconvenience. When signs of extensive mold are found however, a professional should be consulted for proper remediation. In addition, should a homeowner or potential homeowner have specific health-related concerns, mold testing can beconducted to determine the types and quantity of mold spores - although no official standards have been established for unsafelevels. The EPA has guidelines for cleaning mold and also provide suggestions about how to prevent the problem in the first place.For more information about mold, please reference the EPA website at: www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/index.html

Count on BPGIn addition to our thorough inspections, we provide 12 months of our Extended Advicesm program so our clients always have adirect source for accurate information about their homes.

We’re working to be your expert -- we’re working to earn your business.

Home Warranty I Home Inspections I Commercial Inspections I Environmental

Provided by:

Rob RehmBuyers Protection GroupLicensed Home InspectorLicensed WDO InspectorNACHI Certified

800-285-3001

The Best Inspectors. Anywhere.

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