Do Mold Inspectors Have To Be Licensed

How To Become A Certified Mold Inspector

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Mold is a complex fungus that manifests in a number of different forms. Some types of mold are relatively harmless while others can cause severe chronic illness or even death. If you want to become a licensed mold inspector, you’ll need to prepare for a career rooted in details. You’ll need to be able to spot both the common and uncommon strains of mold when on the job before determining the cause of it.

Luckily, there’s no better time to dedicate yourself to this career path. As our weather patterns become more and more unpredictable, water damage restoration is going to be more in demand than ever before.

What Affects The Cost Of A Mold Inspection

There are two main factors that affect the cost of a mold inspection: the size of the house being inspected and whether or not the inspector has to remove or destroy parts of the property, such as drywall or paneling, to complete the inspection.

Quite simply, a large house with a lot of square footage is going to cost more to inspect because the inspection is going to take longer. An âinvasiveâ inspection involving digging through drywall or digging under a crawlspace is also going to cost extra because of the extra time and work involved.

You Have An Allergy To A Particular Type Mold

Some people have an allergy to specific species of mold. If you have been tested and want to make sure that spore isnt in the home, this could be a reason to have mold testing in your home.

Its important to know that even if you are having some symptoms related to your mold allergy, it doesnt necessarily mean that you have a mold problem in your home.

Maybe it could be an issue at your place of work?

Also, dont forget, there is usually more mold spores outdoor compared to inside. During some parts of the year there tends to be more outdoor mold spores.

Also Check: How Long Does Mold Take To Grow After Water Damage

What Is The Shipping Methodand Return Policy

Products that require shipping are sent by UPS Ground, Fedex Ground or USPS and typically take 5-7 businessdays for delivery. We ship to the U.S. and Canada. For returns, everything must be returned in as-new conditionwithin 30 days of receipt for a full refund. Returns with damaged or used items will be prorated. Refunds are creditedwithin 7 business days of receipt of the return. Shipping and handling is not refundable. You must contact us firstto obtain a return number.

Mold Inspection : How Much It Costs And When To Get One

When buying a new home, you should consider getting a mold inspection. Mold inspection is a different process from typical housing inspections. The cost will vary depending on the size of the house. How much does mold inspection cost on a home? How do you know if it is it worth it to conduct mold inspection and testing?

There are a few different situations in which you might want a mold inspection. Let us look at when a mold inspection is needed, what mold testing does and the average cost.

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Is Mold Testing Recommended When Moisture Issues Are Already Observed

Depends. When a lot of water penetration is observed at finished basements, for example, the buyer can be certain that more than typical mold spores will be found in a test. If a buyer is already budgeting for repairs/renovations than that buyer may consider NOT doing the mold test until AFTER the renovations. In some cases when a buyer is unsure whether or not renovations/repairs are needed the buyer may opt to do a mold test anyways to verify the extent of the air quality issues.

Responsibilities Of The Home Inspector When Mold Is Discovered

During a general home inspection, you will note a wide range of issues in the home. Abiding by the ASHI Code of Ethics and by the rules of nearly all state governing bodies requires you to note any immediate safety hazards to protect your clients.

But mold isnt always visible, and its not always a safety issue. So whats a home inspector to do?

Visible mold should be noted in the home inspection report. If youre not licensed or qualified to determine what type of mold it is or if you have doubts that it is definitely mold, but a nagging gut feeling that it is you can note the possible presence of mold in your report.

Likewise, it may make sense to mention the possible presence of mold in locations where you have found visible signs of water damage throughout the home, or places with a notably musty odor. Its always a good idea to review your states regulations and standards of practice for more information on what your home inspection license allows you to call out in your report.

Its also a good idea to direct your client to the right professional to conduct a thorough mold inspection to get more accurate information about any potential mold problem. A licensed mold assessor can conduct a thorough inspection and mold testing to determine the amount of spores in the air and on surfaces. A mold inspector will typically also be licensed in mold remediation to remove or contain the problem.

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What Do Mold Inspectors Do

Now that you have a better idea about what home inspectors do, and what to look for as you seek the unicorn of home inspectors, its time to talk about mold inspectors.

The mold industry is not regulated in the same way as the home inspection industry, which means it is even more important to choose wisely when you are looking for a mold inspector.

One major difference between a mold inspector and home inspector is the fact that a home inspector cannot legally fix or repair any of the issues found during a home inspection.

In reality though, most mold remediation or restoration companies typically do not want to perform mold inspections.

They would rather focus their efforts on removing mold and cleaning the home and contents than perform mold inspections. There is simply more money to be made on that end.

This is why mold remediation and restoration companies routinely take indoor air samples rather than perform thorough inspections.

As a point of reference, indoor air quality testing takes about 20-30 minutes, in comparison to the 1.5 to 2 hours it takes to do a mold inspection.

The photo below reveals a snapshot of an indoor air quality test for mold. You can see that it shows a comparison of the air quality outside to inside the home, the types of mold and most importantly the extremely high MoldScore .

Sample Mold Lab Report

One such organization is the IICRC. Inspectors and remediation/restoration contractors who have this certification uphold a high standard.

Do You Need A Mold Test

Mold testing is designed to detect mold that isnt visible to the naked eye and identify the type of mold in your home. The reality is that if you or your home inspector can see mold growth, you really dont need a mold test. Keep in mind that mold tests do come with a price tag, so dont bother asking for one if you already know that mold is present.

According to the EPA, determining the type of mold in your home isnt beneficial. No matter the variety, mold should always be eradicated as quickly as possible. There are no species-specific cleaning methods you need to worry aboutyou can tackle every type of mold with the same cleaning supplies and methods.

When might a mold test benefit you?

If youre purchasing an older property that appears to have a great deal of water damage but no visible mold, you may want to get a mold test. This will help you determine how much work the home will need after youve moved in.

If you notice a mildewy smell in your home but cant seem to find mold anywhere, you may want to get a mold test. Any mold that is trapped in the walls or floors requires removal, but you dont want to start demolishing your property without just cause.

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Winter Storm Emergency Response

The Winter Storm Disaster Declaration for the mold program issued on June 12, 2021 has expired and will not be renewed by Governor Greg Abbott. In addition, the Hurricane Harvey Disaster Declaration has also expired and will not be renewed. Currently, there are no active disaster declarations in Texas impacting the mold program and the previous waivers for providing mold assessment services have been discontinued effective July 12, 2021.

Is Mold Testing Recommended For Homes With Finished Basements

Maybe. Mold testing can help confirm air quality issues for older basements, musty basements, or basements with active water penetration. Seen or unseen moisture can become trapped between the foundation walls and finishes which can cause air quality issues over the long-term. Renovating finished basements with moisture or air quality issues can be very expensive and sometimes mold testing can provide helpful information especially if the buyer is unsure if renovations are needed.

Also Check: How To Get Mold Spores Out Of Clothes

How Do I Selecta Laboratory For Mold Sample Analysis

There are many choices in laboratories, but you should use an accredited lab that is recognized by the AmericanIndustrial Hygiene Association. You should also look at cost, convenience, and turn-around time. Most Mold Inspectorspass lab costs on to the customer, so you should make an effort to give your client the best value. As a CertifiedMold Inspector it would be a conflict of interest to perform a mold analysis yourself even, if you are a qualifiedindustrial hygienist, or to have any influence on the results of your professionally collected samples.

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Form Remediation Cost Attic

Big leaks in the attic that aren’t discovered for a very long time can result in more substantial labor, material handling/disposal and devices, which can drive removal expenses upwards of $2,500. Jobs such as these will frequently include roofing repair work expenses, which balance in between $350 and $500. However, if roofing replacement is in order, costs might go up to $7,000.

Mold is a fungi that grows in threads of numerous types and colors. It causes natural products to biodegrade, trigger particular illness through allergic level of sensitivity and can grow pathogenically in the body. Some kinds of mold can even contaminate and grow in the lungs or trigger hearing loss, and some are carcinogenic. When it’s found in a home, it should be remediated, as it grows and spreads extremely rapidly by means of air-borne spores– often starting a colony within 2 days. One area of mold can grow out by 30 feet.

Mold Testing Solutions Near Me

If your house has been exposed to extreme water due to flooding or heavy rains, if you have an old house with leaking pipes, or if you reside in a location with high humidity, you require to be watchful about mold. Mold is most quickly determined by sight. You might see flowers of mold on furniture, on walls, or along the floor.

Mold in Attic

About Precision Environmental Services

State Business Licenses

DSHS Phase Contrast Microscopy Lab

TDLR Mold Expert

Texas Historically Underutilized Business .

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Whos Going To Do The Mold Remediation

A licensed mold remediator, that makes sense right!?

Depending upon who your insurance company is, you may have to use their vendors. If the insurance company gives you a choice, I always recommend finding your own contractor.

Here are some ways to find the proper mold remediator to take care of your home:

• Ask your Mold Inspector for recommendations. Make sure he gives you three recommendations and doesnt try to lead you toward one particular contractor
• Look up reviews on such sites as Google and Angies List
• Get recommendations from any friends or family that had Mold remediation

Always Get Multiple Estimates

Unfortunately, mold contractors just like any other profession have some not so honest people. Thats why it is always recommended that you get multiple estimates.

Remember:

Does Florida Require Mold Assessors To Be Certified

In short, the answer to this question is yes. Both mold assessors and remediators must be legally certified as licensed mold experts. Additionally, Florida law recommends that homeowners keep their mold assessors and their mold remediators separate. For licensed mold experts, it is important to understand why.

Mold assessment and remediation occurs in 3 steps.

If the mold assessor and the mold remediator are the same individual , it could give a homeowner reason to doubt your integrity. After all, you could very well identify a problem and then charge a high cost to remove the problem.

For this reason, Florida mold laws separate the two jobs. On July 1, 2010, the state ruled that no mold assessor may offer to perform mold remediation within one year of their assessment. Additionally, mold remediators may not provide services without a legal license in both water and mold repair.

Likewise, both mold assessors and mold remediators remain liable for their work up to $1 million. This prevents both parties from working together to benefit unfairly from a client.

Dont Forget About Documentation

Floridas mold laws also specify the need for proper documentation. To avoid confusion, lawsuits, or false claims, make sure you carefully document each step of the mold removal process in writing.

Are You Interested in Becoming a Mold Assessor?

Read Also: How To Clean Mold Off Siding Of House

Finding The Right Mold Inspector

Look for a contractor with specific experience and expertise in mold inspections and remediation. Ask them how many mold remediations theyâve done in the last six months. Call around your area and get a few estimates. There might be a wide price range, so shopping around could save you a few hundred dollars.

Check your state health department or labor department to see if mold inspectors are required to have a special license or certification. If so, you obviously want to make sure you only work with a properly certified contractor.

What It Takes To Be A Certified Mold Inspector Or Certified Mold Remediator

The cost of residential mold remediation

Shock, amazement, surprise and anger are some of the responses I get when I present a residential mold remediation proposal to a prospective client. If a homeowner with a major mold contamination problem has not done any research on the subject and I am the first person to provide them with any inclination as to the cost of mold removal, it can be a rather awkward situation. It is a completely understandable reaction when someone is told that something that will take 1 or 2 days will cost $5,000+. This is why I always encourage my clients to do some research between the time we first talk, and when I provide them with pricing for their mold removal project. To get a real handle on the associated costs of toxic mold testing and mold removal, we need to look at exactly what those two tasks are and who performs them.

What does it take to become a certified mold inspector?

What does it take to become a certified mold remediator?

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National Organization Of Remediators And Mold Inspectors

NORMI, the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors, is one of the fastest growing certifying agencies in the country and has been involved in providing high quality training for mold and indoor environmental professionals since 2004. Having trained thousands of construction professionals through the United States, Canada, Europe and South America, NORMI provides over 14 certifications to meet licensing laws now established in the states of Texas, Louisiana, Florida, , New York and Washington, DC.Many states are considering regulations regarding mold professionals licensing and NORMI is in the forefront of that legislation to help protect the public and the trade without jeopardizing business gr…

When The Subject Of Mold Mushroomed In The Late 1990s Into The Heated Issue That It Has Become Opportunity Seekers From Near And Far Began Chanting The Mantra Mold Is Gold Nearly As Fast As Mold Grows On Drywall An Entire Industry Sprang Forth From Practically Nothing Suddenly There Were Plenty Of Certified Mold Inspectors Certified Mold Remediators Certified Mold Workers Certified Indoor Air Quality Professionals Certified This Certified That From The Outside It Looks Great Lots Of Experienced Fully

Things are not always as they appear.

The big question is this: Where did all of these certified mold inspectors get their valuable experience and education? What government agency established the curriculum for the courses & requisite examinations that enables one to become a certified mold inspector or certified mold remediator? When you investigate the validity of the qualifications that your local certified mold inspector holds forth, you will quickly find out that, with the exception of Texas, there is no regulation, no certification or licensing requirements to be a certified mold inspector or a certified mold remediator. Furthermore, there are no government standards that provide Personal Exposure Limits or Threshold Limit Values for mold like we see with other environmental hazards such as lead or asbestos.

Until the pending legislation mandates certain educational and experiential prerequisites necessary to become a Certified Mold Inspector or Certified Mold Remediator, it will be like the wild, wild west BUYER BEWARE. And when the government gets involved and they most certainly will it will more likely take the form of some sort of licensing. The term Licensed Mold Inspector or Licensed Mold Remediator will hold some real value. Until then, you will have to sift through the moldy muck like the informed consumer that you are.

Allow me to explain.

Once you see the difference, we look forward to hearing from you.

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