Whether you are planning to buy or sell a home, one important decision is to have a mold inspection. Why? Because they are extremely sneaky. Imagine not seeing them while touring the home, next time you know there are black and gray patches on your walls as soon as you moved in. Impossible? Of course, not! You see, the presence of mold is not an overnight buildup. It’s a combination of damp and moisture with no immediate action taken.

Most home inspection companies conducted a separate mold inspection to thoroughly investigate the possible existence of moisture or breeding grounds of mold. Aside from the unwanted effect, it has on the structural integrity of your home, mold has an adverse health impact.

While some types of mold are actually harmless, mold spores are released into the air you breathe and can cause severe health issues especially in highly sensitive people. Ailments can include throat irritation, nasal congestion, sneezing, asthma attacks, and even skin rashes.

Below are some areas in the home that are prone to mold buildup:

–          leaking pipes (constant flow accumulates water and is a great breeding ground of mold to start with)

–          tightly sealed spaces which trap excess moisture

–          floors, walls, basements and other places that were previously exposed in flood and wasn’t thoroughly dried up

–          areas with poor ventilation, overly watered houseplants and many other habits that can dampen any space and prevent a good flow of air

Detecting Mold at Home

One of the best things to do is to make sure that anything that comes in contact with water is either constantly being cleaned or is thoroughly dried up. A simple damp shirt on a wooden floor can cause mold to buildup. Sometimes, the presence of mold will not be visible right away but here are simple steps to try.

1.       If you are still planning to buy a home, look for obvious signs such as peeled off paints, watermarks on walls, musty smells particularly in the bathroom, kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, cabinets, and other areas with plumbing. It’s also a good idea to find whether the home is built with synthetic stucco or Exterior Installation and Finish System since it is an airtight barrier that improves insulation.

2.       Make sure to ask the seller to disclose mold or water-related problems. It’s important to know if the home has already undergone a mold inspection or was previously treated for mold and mildew.

3.       Ask your home inspector. Wise home buyers or sellers ask questions. Do not hesitate to ask if the inspector saw signs of mold and water damage.

4.       Ask your agent or appraiser. Some states oblige agents and appraisers to disclose any issue they know about. Signs of a mold problem can affect the value of your property so ask them too.

To Buy or Not To Buy?

As a buyer, you can ask the seller to reduce the asking price, fix the problem or choose to walk away from the deal if signs of mold are found. Take into consideration who will be living in the house especially if you have a baby, an elderly, or someone with respiratory and allergic issues.

You can find helpful information about mold and moisture in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website.  More helpful resources to look for state rules on mold are as follows:

–          Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

–          National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)

Protect your investment. Make sure to have a mold inspection conducted by a licensed professional.

A.C.F. Home Inspections, Your Premier Orlando Home Inspection Company | Let this experienced Orlando Home Inspection Company help keep you from buying The Money Pit. We’ll alert you to any and all health or safety issues and maintenance needs of the home you’re looking to buy.

As a family-owned business, we pride ourselves on supporting homeowners and families who need an honest, competent and dependable property inspector. We understand the importance of safety. When it comes to children and family. Therefore, we give special attention to deficiencies in systems and components of the home that represent an immediate danger. And we are independent and impartial; we work for you – our client – and not for an agent or other interests.

A.C.F. Home Inspections is committed to bringing you a consistently high level of service. We are an indispensable asset to real estate agents, buyers, sellers, investors, property managers, landlords, mortgage brokers, and private and nursing care homes.  Let us be your residential and commercial advisor, and find peace of mind that you are getting a professional’s opinion.

A.C.F. Home Inspections will be your home buying or selling advocate!  We’re highly experienced and extremely thorough. If you’re looking to buy or sell in the Orlando area, we can help!

Call A.C.F. Home Inspections Today (407) 218-6522 or Click To Schedule Online 24/7 Right From Our Website.

A home is where the heart is. It’s the place where our kids grow up, spend days with friends, and simply create great memories together. But, it can be disheartening to find out that the home you’ve always looked forward to for shelter and get some good night sleep is the same reason why illnesses randomly strike you and your family.

Most people are unaware of the fact that common health symptoms are actually related to the air quality that we breathe. Why? Because it’s the easiest element that we can get in contact with.

Unfortunately, unlike what most of us think, the air isn’t really that light. In fact, your skin is being pushed down with about 15 pounds of pressure per square inch at the moment. But it has become so familiar that we barely even notice it pushing down our skin. The good thing and bad thing (yes it’s both good and bad) is that our lungs recognize it and feel it, most especially if it’s already contaminated with toxins!

Air pollution can come from everyday occurrences such as drying paint, construction materials, smoke, allergens, rodent droppings, and dust mites. And ooh, did I mention that radon gas, the one that’s been linked to lung cancer, might just be lurking around your home? Yes, it does! Unfortunately, all these air pollutants can do something much more at a much greater speed if no hasty action takes place.

The best way to deal with air contamination is to first find out what are the types of air pollutants around the home so that an air quality inspection following a home inspection can be conducted immediately. Take a look at some of the common indoor air pollutants and how to deal with them.

1. Burning/combustion

Burning or combustion is a high-temperature chemical reaction between a fuel and oxidant that produces oxidized, often gaseous products in a mixture also called as smoke. The top pollutants produced by combustion are carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and other particulate matters.

The problem is that Carbon monoxide causes an array of symptoms ranging from headaches and nausea to confusion and even unconsciousness. About 500 people in the US are killed per year due to high exposure to CO. NO2, on the other hand, irritates mucous membranes and causes shortness of breath. Long-term exposure to NO2 can put you at risk of lung infections. The best way to deal with CO is to install CO alarms near bedrooms and fuel-burning appliances. NO2 can also be detected with certain instruments. It is also best to ventilate any fire-burning areas such as kitchen, stovetop, or a fireplace with a fan or window to get rid of smoke accumulation inside the home.

2. Radon Gas

This gas is odorless, colorless, and tasteless which is the no.2 leading cause of lung cancer, with cigarette smoking being the first. Although radon kits are readily available, the Environment Protection Agency highly recommends that a radon inspection be done by licensed professional inspectors as even the recommended 4.0 pCi/L can still pose a health risk.

3. Asbestos

Asbestos occurs naturally in soil. However, it becomes a health risk factor as soon as it enters your home. This heat resistant mineral fiber has long been used as building material and insulator but has recently been discovered that inhalation of its fibers is linked to lung cancer, lung scarring, and mesothelioma. Its fibers become an issue when disturbed so one thing you can do is to leave them untouched. However, an aging home may need repairs and DIY remedies is not actually a good idea. It is best that you call a licensed professional to do the job.

4. Volatile organic compounds

Countless consumer products such as paint, glue to printers and even shower curtains are considered VOCs or volatile organic compounds. The boiling point is so low that they off-gas lots of vapor even at room temperature and VOC vapor causes health issues including nausea and headache. In worst cases, brain damage and cancer.

The best way to deal with VOC-containing products is to keep their fumes from accumulating by ventilating the area with fans or windows.

5. Oh the infamous mold and mildew

Sometimes we just think that the green or black patches on your wall are part of the “wear-and-tear” phenomenon. Probably for some reason, it is but obviously because of all the moisture your wall has been exposed to over the years. Apparently, mold and mildew do not necessarily occur only in wet areas such as bathrooms. Even damp clothing and or wet floor or rug are all good breeding grounds. Mold can cause a lot of health problems. The first way to deal is to fight moisture, keep the humidity indoors below 60 percent and use a humidifier to dry the air out. Home inspection companies also offer mold inspections so better call for professional help.

6. Animal droppings

Animal feces and urine such as from rodents and cockroaches and even pet dander and airborne protein from cat saliva can trigger allergic reactions and asthma especially to highly sensitive individuals. Deep cleaning and proper ventilation are all good practices to eliminate or alleviate these unavoidable allergens.

7. Pesticides

Trying to get rid of indoor pollutants by using pesticides only raise the risk of increasing the toxicity in your home. According to EPA, pesticides are inherently toxic and using non-chemical alternatives may be a great idea. Also, be more critical about the chemical content on the products you use since many carcinogenic pesticides like chlordane are now banned in the US.

These unavoidable air pollutants may be really out of control but it’s always best to keep concentrations at a minimum.

A.C.F. Home Inspections, Your Premier Orlando Home Inspection Company | Let this experienced Orlando Home Inspection Company help keep you from buying The Money Pit. We’ll alert you to any and all health or safety issues and maintenance needs of the home you’re looking to buy.

As a family-owned business, we pride ourselves on supporting homeowners and families who need an honest, competent and dependable property inspector. We understand the importance of safety. When it comes to children and family. Therefore, we give special attention to deficiencies in systems and components of the home that represent an immediate danger. And we are independent and impartial; we work for you – our client – and not for an agent or other interests.

A.C.F. Home Inspections is committed to bringing you a consistently high level of service. We are an indispensable asset to real estate agents, buyers, sellers, investors, property managers, landlords, mortgage brokers, and private and nursing care homes.  Let us be your residential and commercial advisor, and find peace of mind that you are getting a professional’s opinion.

A.C.F. Home Inspections will be your home buying or selling advocate!  We’re highly experienced and extremely thorough. If you’re looking to buy or sell in the Orlando area, we can help!

Call A.C.F. Home Inspections Today (407) 218-6522 or Click To Schedule Online 24/7 Right From Our Website.

Say you’ve now settled in your wonderful home. Everything is done. All papers are submitted. You’ve had all the necessary home inspection services, from roof inspections to mold testing and now you’ve finally closed the deal. What’s next?

Alright. You might be wondering what’s life to offer you now. Well, of course, you just moved into your dream home and the next thing you know, you’re putting photos on your family album and watching home videos. But that’d be pretty much a part of the future but the ‘near future’ also needs good planning so let’s tweak the time a little bit and go back to the present. Carefully plan ahead what needs to be maintained in your home so you won’t get shocked with unpleasant surprises down the road.

Did you know that your roof is one of the most overlooked aspects of your home? And did you know that any damage in your roof can greatly impact the structural integrity of your property? Does that mean roof inspections should not only be done once or twice? or thrice? The answer is YES. That’s one of the things you need to plan ahead as it is part of home maintenance.

Basically, the frequency of a home inspection varies and depends on the materials used and what conditions the roof has been exposed to. Should there be any signs of damage that need immediate action, the same should be taken care of the soonest.

According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, the ideal self-check is AT LEAST twice a year in addition to professional inspections.

Below is a helpful guide on how often should a roof inspection be:

1. It’s not only shingles!

Most people think of a roof and only see shingles and tiles. The fact is, there’s more to life than shingles and tiles that one might now know the depth of repair and condition that requires regular inspection. The roof is composed of trusses or rafters to give support, sheathing material made of sheet metal or boards which cover the rafters, and on top of that is the underlayment on which the shingles or tiles are laid. The underlayment cannot be easily inspected and is also the part that degrades most quickly. Professional inspectors are one call away to do this job.

2. If you notice any signs of damage on your roof, you need a roof inspection.

Extreme weather conditions can wreak havoc to any part of your property, much more to your roof. Any visible signs of damage such as missing tiles or damaged shingles, granules of the shingles in the gutter or drainage, dry rot, mold, and mildew due to water seepage all pose a threat to the integrity of the home. If you notice any of these, call for professional inspection immediately to prevent further damage.

3. The different roofing materials weather and decay differently.

Generally, a roof made of asphalt or composite shingles and even wooden shingles needs an inspection every three years. A tile roof can go up to five years before the next inspection. The underlayment can still degrade faster so it’s best to have it inspected earlier than the recommended span.

4. A happy roof is a happy home.

Regular home inspection works on the interiors and roof inspection specifically targets the exterior protection of your home. Roofing is one of the most expensive repairs there is so, instead of paying hundreds for roof repair, why not have it well maintained in the first place?

Your home, if well maintained, can live up to your expectations. Pass your property from generation to generation. A roof inspection should be one of your long-term goals starting today.

A.C.F. Home Inspections, Your Premier Orlando Home Inspection Company | Let this experienced Orlando Home Inspection Company help keep you from buying The Money Pit. We’ll alert you to any and all health or safety issues and maintenance needs of the home you’re looking to buy.

As a family-owned business, we pride ourselves on supporting homeowners and families who need an honest, competent and dependable property inspector. We understand the importance of safety. When it comes to children and family. Therefore, we give special attention to deficiencies in systems and components of the home that represent an immediate danger. And we are independent and impartial; we work for you – our client – and not for an agent or other interests.

A.C.F. Home Inspections is committed to bringing you a consistently high level of service. We are an indispensable asset to real estate agents, buyers, sellers, investors, property managers, landlords, mortgage brokers, and private and nursing care homes.  Let us be your residential and commercial advisor, and find peace of mind that you are getting a professional’s opinion.

A.C.F. Home Inspections will be your home buying or selling advocate!  We’re highly experienced and extremely thorough. If you’re looking to buy or sell in the Orlando area, we can help!

Call A.C.F. Home Inspections Today (407) 218-6522 or Click To Schedule Online 24/7 Right From Our Website.