Mold Inspection of Austin
2700 VÃa Fortuna #145 Austin, TX 78746
(512) 200-7198
http://moldinspectionaustintx.com
mold inspection Austin
What Does A Mold Inspection Report Look Like
Joel Vaughan said: Yes but where the hell can i find any information to tell me how much evidence i need to get a move from my mold ridden flat ! i think a mold kit will be insufficient for my evil landlords to have to do anything ! i reckon a company has to be hired and i have not the money for that as i only have about fifty quid as it has been my birthday - i am very ill can you advise please Austin TX.
Note the beads of water accumulating on the top layer of the fiberglass insulation.  In a short amount of time, this moisture will lead to mold growth.  It’s unusual to see the actual beads of water on the insulation.  Typically the moisture accumulation is very thin (though sufficient to cause mold growth) and not visible to the naked eye.
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Removing the insulation first is generally preferable. It allows the remediation crew to operate much faster and perform a more thorough application. Make sure you air seal the ceiling after the insulation is removed. This is a very effective way to minimize future mold growth. See info on air sealing on the attic mold prevention page.
This is unusual and typically only occurs when an attic suffers from extreme condensation. Â In this case, while the mold growth was limited to the top of the insulation, the saturation was found several inches into the fiberglass .
It depends on the quantity of mold and how the insulation was removed. If the insulation was removed via a vacuum (and they did a thorough job), you likely don’t need additional fogging. If there was heavy mold growth throughout the attic and a vacuum was not used, the fogging is a good idea .
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In a similar case we found a lab which over-reported the presence of Stachybotrys chartarum which was less important as an airborne presence in that particular building than a very large colony of Aspergillus niger . Why was this error occurring?
The almost total lack of repeatability of mold test results in buildings is due primarily to the almost total lack of observation of and documentation of building conditions at the time of the inspection and test. Simply turning on or off a fan can completely change the level of airborne particles in a building, in a period as brief as a minute or two .
Much of this depends on the severity of the mold growth and your comfort level. It certainly won’t harm anything to remove the insulation. Note – if it’s blown-in insulation you can often remove just the top layer.
Due to the color of your insulation, it’s difficult to determine if mold growth has occurred. When mold grows on white or yellow insulation it is a much more obvious. The good news is that mold growth in the ceiling won’t impact the indoor air quality (Assuming the hole is fixed). Any remaining mold spores from the initial leak will go dormant once the materials dries out. If you would like to test for mold, I recommend a non-viable airborne mold test. This would determine if your home suffers from elevated mold spores. This can be done via a local mold inspector or from a mail order kit such as this. You could test the insulation itself for mold. But this won’t answer your primary question – whether it’s potentially impacting the indoor air quality.
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Software often gives inspectors the choice of including photographs in the main body of the report, near the narrative that describes them, or photographs may be grouped together toward the beginning or end of the report.
Basic Reference - See What Else We Discovered
NAMRI Standards of Practice
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the NAMRI Standards of Practice is to establish a minimum and uniform standard for performing a mold inspection of a single-family to a four-family dwelling. The Standards set minimum requirements for describing and reporting conditions observed that could contribute to microbial growth. The Standards define and clarify terms, procedures, scope, conditions, and limitations as they relate to an NAMRI Inspection and Report.
INTRO
Client: A person who engages the services of a mold inspector for a mold inspection assignment.
Component: A part of a system.
Describe: To report a system or component by its type or other observed, significant characteristics to distinguish it from other systems or components.
Mold Inspection Report: A written evaluation prepared and issued by a residential mold inspector upon completion of a mold inspection that meets the standards of practice as established by NAMRI.
Inspect: To visually examine readily accessible systems and components of a building in accordance with these Standards of Practice, using normal operating controls and opening readily accessible access panels.
Mold Inspection Agreement: An agreement signed by the client prior to the start of the mold inspection that contains, at a minimum, the full name and address of the client, the address of the home to be inspected, the date and time of the mold inspection, the price of the mold inspection, and the scope and limitations of the inspection.
Readily Accessible: Available for visual inspection without requiring moving of personal property, dismantling, destructive measures, or any action which will likely involve risk to persons or property.
Structural Component: A component that supports non-variable forces or weights (dead loads) and variable forces or weights (live loads).
System: A combination of interacting or interdependent components, assembled to carry out one or more functions.
Unsafe: A condition in a system or component that poses a significant risk of personal injury or property damage during normal, day-to-day use.
PURPOSE
The purpose of a mold inspection is to detect the presence of suspected mold growth in the inspected areas of the subject property. The mold inspection Report communicates the information to the client through a written summary that describes the suspected microbial growth along with property conditions that could contribute to microbial growth. Additionally, the report may include the results of laboratory testing on suspected mold samples taken from the structure during the inspection.
SCOPE
The scope of the inspection is a visual observation of the readily accessible areas of the building, components, and systems that is limited to the readily accessible and visible areas and the systems identified as follows: Grounds, Exterior, Structure, Plumbing, Interior, HVAC, and Sampling protocols.
LIMITATIONS
The mold inspection is limited to the readily accessible and visible systems and components of the home. The inspector shall not dismantle and/or move equipment, systems, furniture, appliances, floor coverings, finished or fastened surfaces or components, personal property or other items to conduct this inspection or otherwise to expose concealed or inaccessible conditions. The inspection will not include destructive testing of any kind. Certain structural areas are considered inaccessible and impractical to inspect including but not limited to: the interiors of walls and inaccessible areas below; areas beneath wood floors or over concrete; and areas concealed by floor coverings. The following conditions are NOT within the scope of this Limited Mold inspection:
Areas to which there is no access without defacing or tearing out lumber, masonry, roofing or finished workmanship.
Surfaces concealed by floor and wall coverings or furniture.
Portions of the attic concealed or made inaccessible by insulation, belongings, equipment or ducting.
Portions of the attic, roof cavity, or under floor crawl space areas concealed or made inaccessible due to construction.
Portions of the sub area concealed or made inaccessible by ducting or insulation.
Enclosed bay windows and enclosed boxed eaves.
Portions of the interior made inaccessible by furnishings.
Areas where locks prevented access.
Areas concealed by heavy vegetation.
WARRANTIES AND GUARANTEES:
The written mold inspection report is not intended to be used as a guarantee or warranty, expressed or implied, that the items inspected are mold-free, or that concealed conditions conducive to mold do not or will not exist. Problems may exist even though signs of such may not be present during the inspection.
The Standards provide minimum guidelines for the Inspector, and outline what the Inspector should inspect, identify, and report on. The guidelines provide the minimum contents of a written mold report and are not intended to limit the Inspector from performing additional inspection services.
INSPECTOR QUALIFICATIONS
NAMRI members have demonstrated extensive knowledge of mold inspection by acquiring accredited mold inspector education and by passing the NAMRI Exam, which is a national exam sponsored by NAMRI. Members are required to obtain approved continuing education to maintain their membership.
STANDARDS OF PRACTICE
The following Standards provide guidelines for the NAMRI Inspector and outline what the Inspector should inspect, identify, and report on. The guidelines provide the minimum contents of a written report and are not intended to limit the Inspector from performing additional inspection services, or from excluding systems or components by mutual agreement with the client.
GROUNDS
The inspector shall:
Inspect the grading, surface drainage, landscaping, and water features on the property where any of these could likely contribute to water damage or microbial growth on the inspected structure
Report the presence of suspected microbial growth or water damage directly related to these components.
LIMITATIONS:
The Inspector is not required to:
Inspect any underground drainage systems, any detached structures, or any other components that do not directly impact the main structure.
Inspect areas not visible or readily accessible.
EXTERIOR
The inspector shall:
Inspect the exterior wall covering and trim, exterior doors and windows, attached decks, steps, porches, patios, window wells, eaves and soffits, gutters and downspouts, and chimney where any of these could likely contribute to water damage or microbial growth on the inspected structure.
Report the presence of suspected microbial growth or water damage directly observed.
LIMITATIONS:
The Inspector is not required to:
Inspect components not accessible from the ground level.
Report on the adequacy or functionality of any component.
Use any invasive tests other than visual observation.
STRUCTURE
The inspector shall:
Inspect the foundation, roof covering, attic, basement, crawlspace, and attached garage or carport where any of these could likely contribute to water damage or microbial growth on the inspected structure.
Describe the methods used to inspect the roof covering and attic.
Report the presence of suspected microbial growth or water damage directly observed.
LIMITATIONS:
The Inspector is not required to:
Determine the adequacy of any structural system or component
Evaluate buildings detached from the main inspected structure
Walk on the roof or perform any tasks that could be dangerous.
Determine that any component is defect free.
Determine or estimate the remaining life of any component.
Enter crawl spaces with headroom less than two feet.
Enter attic spaces where the headroom is less than 3 feet.
Enter any spaces where hazardous conditions exist.
Evaluate ventilation adequacy by any means other than visually.
Evaluate the insulation by any means other than visually.
Operate sump pumps.
PLUMBING
The inspector shall:
Inspect the sinks, drains, showers, tubs, toilets, water main, supply pipes, waste pipes, and water heater where any of these could likely contribute to water damage or microbial growth on the inspected structure.
Report the presence of suspected microbial growth or water damage directly observed.
LIMITATIONS:
The Inspector is not required to:
Operate components that have been shutdown or winterized.
Operate or test any main shut-off valves.
Fill any component with water
INTERIOR
The inspector shall:
Inspect kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, laundry, closets, and other interior spaces along with their associated windows, walls, ceilings, and floors where any of these could likely contribute to water damage or microbial growth on the inspected structure.
Report the presence of suspected microbial growth or water damage directly observed.
LIMITATIONS:
The Inspector is not required to:
Move furniture or owner possessions.
Identify defects unrelated to microbial growth or water damage.
Examine interior surfaces concealed by any type of covering.
HVAC
The inspector shall:
Inspect the filter, return air box, condensate drain and pump lines, humidifier, ducts and vents where any of these could likely contribute to water damage or microbial growth on the inspected structure.
Report the presence of suspected microbial growth or water damage directly observed.
LIMITATIONS:
The Inspector is not required to:
Certify proper operation of any HVAC system.
Activate equipment that has been ?shut-down? or will not respond to thermostat controls.
Use tools to disassemble system components.
Perform tests other than can be determined visually.
Report on the efficiency or adequacy of the system or distribution method.
SAMPLING
The inspector shall:
Collect surface samples and air samples for lab submission when authorized by the client for an agreed-upon fee, and when conditions of microbial growth exist that allow for the sample to be collected.
AIR SAMPLING
Indoor air samples will be collected near the HVAC return duct by default unless there is reason to test visible mold elsewhere.
When an indoor air sample is taken, the inspector shall take an outdoor air sample as a baseline.
Document any environmental conditions that could impact the sampling.
When clearance testing is performed after mold remediation, the inspector shall collect a minimum of two air samples from each contained space.
The inspector shall use an appropriate air pump and collection cassette.
The inspector shall:
Collect surface samples only from areas of suspected microbial growth.
Complete Chain-of-Custody documents that include complete information along with sample numbers.
Take measures to prevent contamination, and promptly send the sample to a lab accredited by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA).
Provide the client with a copy of the original lab report.
LIMITATIONS:
The Inspector is not required to:
Collect samples unless contracted with the client.
Perform any intrusive or destructive examination, test or analysis
Sample every suspected area of microbial growth unless contracted with the client
Instruct the client how to perform remediation
Determine costs or procedures for remediation
Provide safety determinations based on any findings
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Extra Reading - See What Else We Found
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Austin (Texas) district scales back school closing proposal
The latest facilities plans calls for closing 4 schools instead of 12.
Administrators in the Austin (Texas) district have pared down the number of schools they want to close soon from 12 to four.
The Austin American-Statesman reports that the four campuses still targeted for closing are Pease, Brooke, Metz and Sims elementary schools.
Related: Proposal calls for 12 schools to close in Austin (Texas) district
The latest version of the district's facilities plan, which includes 12 scenarios, essentially puts off until further notice closure of the eight other schools that had been on the list. They are Bertha Sadler Means Young Women’s Leadership Academy; Pecan Springs, Ridgetop, Maplewood, Palm, Dawson and Joslin elementary schools; and Webb Middle School.
The Austin school board would still have to approve closing the four schools, a decision expected Nov. 18.
Related: Austin (Texas) district considers closing as many as 12 schools to ease deficit
“You will see a phased timeline ... that creates space for even deeper community conversations and planning,†Austin district Superintendent Paul Cruz said in a letter to the community. “At the same time, my team and I believe deeply that no change at all is not an option.â€
District administrators say that to usher in better academic programs and improve equity in the school system, the district must close low-enrolled and aging facilities and consolidate students at modernized campuses. The district is also recommending equity training for teachers to better understand cultural differences among their students.
Many families and school employees of the 12 campuses on the initial closure list have said they were blindsided by the district’s proposal when it was released in September. The district has held numerous meetings with affected school communities over the past several weeks as they developed their latest revisions.
The plan is to move Brooke, Metz and Sims students into modernized schools that are under construction — Govalle, Sanchez and Norman elementaries.
Pease children, all of whom are transfer students, will have to find other school options. Parents of that Central Austin school’s students are particularly upset by the latest revision. The September version had Pease closing toward the end of 2021. Now Pease students’ last day would be in May, parents say.
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