The Most Common Mold Scams
The Most Common Mold Scams:
- HVAC duct replacement
- Cabinet replacement
- Drywall removal
- Replacing insulation
- Cleaning wood framing in attics
- Removing tile in showers/tub replacement
- Crawlspace Encapsulation
- Air Handler cleaning
- Installing UV lighting in AC
- Installing HE filters in AC units
- Identifying dirt as mold
- Mildew and staining
- Replacing flooring
- Excessive air scrubbing
- Containment
- Encapsulation with sealants
Never, ever, agree to these repairs/fees based on the results of a weak air sample test!
Common Misconceptions:
- Duct cleaning. Unless the ductwork is metal and accessible, it cannot be “cleaned”. It can be sanitized and if the home is dusty, this is generally a positive recommendation.
- Duct replacement. There is never a reason to replace ductwork based on a “mold concern”. Mold cannot thrive on any material found in fiberboard or flex ducts. It can settle on wet dust but it does not have enough food to develop mycelia or to produce spores.
Removing drywall/cabinets due to a slight elevation of any mold. We may need to replace these components if there is an active water leak and/or the materials have active water over 0.90 (about 40% on a moisture meter). All xerophilic and secondary colonizer molds can be easily cleaned and sanitized. Remember, remove the moisture and you remove the mold.
- Replacing roof/wall sheathing due to “mold”. Mold can settle on wet dust but plywood or OSB sheathing does not support the growth of tertiary molds (those which produce toxins). Why? Because this material does not have enough nutrients (carbon in the sugar in the cellulose) to support growth.
Mycotoxins are rarely detected in indoor air (Johanning, 2002). Exposure to indoor mold mycotoxins requires long-term/systemic repeated exposure, i.e., an active mold growth which cycles on the active – dormant – active cycle repeatedly.
- There are no blood/urine medical tests which can identify a mold related illness. A radioallergosorbent test can measure the immune system’s response to mold by measuring the number of antibodies in the bloodstream (immunoglobin E) which can be tested for sensitivity to specific types of mold.
- People who are “allergic” to molds are also allergic to yeasts, bacteria, pollen, dust, and are generally affected by most small airborne particulates.
- There are no governmental or medical guidelines (anywhere) which identify or quantify any mold levels as non-healthy or elevated or amplified or acceptable for any specie of mold.
How Property360 Can Help
Property360is a professional inspection firm. We are your local expert for home inspection commercial property condition assessment, mold and indoor air quality assessment, forensic moisture investigations, fire door inspection, forensic termite inspection (provided by 360PestControl), americans with disabilities facility surveys (ADA), second opinions and expert testimony, building code inspection, new construction inspection, construction defect assessment, construction as-built inspection, contractor draw request inspection, construction management, contractor dispute resolution, fire and flood damage assessment, and residential insurance onspections – wind mitigation and 4-point reports.
Contact us to learn more about our team and to request a comprehensive residential or commercial inspection at (904) 503-9808 today!
Mold Sampling Without Assessment is Worthless.
I hope this brief review has helped or at least made you question the information you may have received. There are no shortcuts to properly assessing an indoor environment. The strength of the information will always depend upon the unique qualifications and integrity of the Assessor.