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Tag Archive: Mold Inspection Los Angeles

  1. What is a Mold Clearance Inspection?

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    After having mold remediation performed, it’s important to schedule a mold clearance inspection of the work areas in order to ensure that the mold cleanup was done correctly and effectively, without accidentally distributing high levels of moldy dust or debris into other areas of the structure or the building’s HVAC system.

    Why a Clearance Inspection?

    If the remediation required removing interior or exterior walls or more, a clearance inspection is needed in order to verify that the mold has been adequately removed before reconstruction starts. It will also satisfy disclosure requirements for buyers in the event of a future sale by demonstrating that you handled the problem properly.

    In order to avoid any conflict of interest, the mold clearance inspection should never be performed by the mold remediation contracting company or its business associates. The best course is to contact an independent mold inspection company, preferably the one that did the original mold testing.

    Variables That Affect Testing

    In addition to an expert visual inspection, the inspection requires testing for cross-contamination of moldy dust by screening building areas that were not part of the mold cleanup job.

    Conducting air tests alone may produce unreliable results, as the airborne level of particles can vary greatly depending on a number of environmental variables.

    • Whether the HVAC systems are on or off
    • If fans are moving the air
    • Whether the home or building is empty or occupied (human activity can affect the difference in active airborne particle activity)
    • Whether one or more windows or interior/exterior doors is open or closed

    The Clearance Inspection Procedure

    The goal of the visual and analytical testing procedures is to ensure that the mold remediation process and cleanup reduced airborne mold spores to acceptable, pre-mold levels.

    • A visual inspection will be performed within the containment area in order to ensure the absence of any lingering moisture, dust or debris and the lack of visible fungal growth in the area.
    • The moisture content of any construction materials in the area will be inspected and tested for moisture content levels.
    • Airborne spore samples will be taken inside and outside of the remediated area for the levels to be analyzed in a laboratory for balance and/or discrepancies.

    If all of these tests return acceptable results, no further remediation will be required. However, if any one or more of the above test results are unacceptable, either a re-inspection or additional mold remediation will be recommended.

     

  2. 3 Reasons for Same Day Mold Testing

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    Mold has become an increasingly popular building and safety concern Same Day Mold Testing is an effective way to investigate a concern and determine the extent of a problem. Here are some important reasons that factor into a decision to perform same day mold testing.

    1. Real Estate Transactions. Buyers and sellers need to know if there is a mold problem before the property is transferred. Escrow timelines make mold testing an urgent matter. Time is of the essence so the sooner the better. Performing same day mold testing will yield immediate results that will enable the buyer to make request for repair. It will also provide sellers with actionable information to present the property in its best possible condition. Many times there is no problem at all. Other times, there are minor problems that can be corrected during the regular course of maintenance. Occasionally, there are mold problems that need to be addressed by a mold remediation (repair) company.
    2. Tenant Concerns. There are times when same day mold testing is necessary for landlord tenant relationships. Many tenants cannot get landlords to cooperate with investigating a mold concern. Same day mold testing allows tenants to provide documented proof of a mold problem in a timely manner to the landlord. Sometimes there are mold problems that have been ignored by landlords. A certified mold inspection will address the problem and provide a sense of urgency to compel the landlord to take action.
    3. Also landlords and property managers experience tenant’s that complain about mold in their apartment. Landlords should perform same day mold testing to satisfy their due diligence in the event of a formal complaint or lawsuit. Tenants and landlords are well served to perform same day mold testing to mitigate indoor environmental hazards and to preserve property values. Sometimes tenants have legitimate mold concerns within their unit. Other times, tenants have frivolous complaints about a mold concern to avoid paying rent or to break the lease.
    4. Avoid Mold Scams. Consumers of the mold industry need to be informed before hiring a mold inspection company as there are two types: test only and test & repair (full service). The initial investigation should always begin with a test only company that does not affiliate with a mold removal company. Same day mold testing and repair by the same company is considered a conflict of interest. Mold removal companies pose as inspectors then offer free inspections. The goal is to be the first responder so they can exaggerate problems and overcharge for solutions. Remember the old saying, “There is no such thing as a free lunch.” Same Day Mold Testing by an objective, independent test only company lessens the likelihood of being taken advantage of by full service mold removal companies. Some times there are minor problems that can be repaired inexpensively. Other times, extensive water damage requires expensive remediation. If you hire a test and repair company you will not know if you are getting an objective evaluation of your property. Mold removal companies make a lot of money to perform repairs so the natural inclination is to recommend repairs even if they are not fully justifiable.

    To summarize, Same Day Mold Testing is useful for at least three reasons:

    • Investigating potential mold problems during the course of a real estate transaction
    • Performing due diligence if you are a landlord or a tenant with a mold concern
    • Being an informed consumer in the mold industry so that you avoid being scammed by unscrupulous mold removal companies.

    Los Angeles Mold Inspector: Hire Right The First Time. Here’s How…

    Los Angeles Mold Inspectors are everywhere are look. But a qualified, reputable mold inspector can be challenging with so many companies to choose from. Here’s your guide for hiring a mold inspector in Los Angeles.

    • Mold Experience. How many mold inspections has the company performed? An experienced mold inspector should perform several hundred mold inspections per year. That way you know the mold inspector has seen a wide variety of scenarios. Ask your mold inspector how many verifiable mold inspections have been performed in the Los Angeles area.
    • Mold Credentials. There a several types of certifications and as many certifying organizations. The mold inspection company should cary worker’s compensation and professional liability insurance. They should hold membership in good standing with at least one nationally recognized trade association for mold professionals. The certifying organization should also be nationally recognized with an online registry of certified professionals. In both cases, you can verify the mold inspection company’s trade association membership and the mold inspector’s certification. Not all certifications are created equal! Make sure the mold inspector’s certification is based on verifiable work experience and the certification is issued by an accredited education organization.
    • Mold Inspection Equipment. Every mold inspector should have the basics; a moisture meter, an air sampling pump, and a respirator. Several other tools should be at the inspector’s disposal including sampling media (swabs, air cassettes). flash light, gloves, knee pads, and a mirror. There are various types of each of these tools. Ideally, the mold inspector will have the latest technology available. There are other tools that are high tech such as thermal imagine cameras, which is a tool designed to detect temperature variations typically associated with moisture.
    • References. With the abidance of review sites on the internet it should be pretty easy to get an idea about the mold inspection company’s reputation. Any company that has been around for several years is bound to have to have a couple unsatisfied customers. But what’s more alarming is no reviews at all. It makes you wonder if the company has been around long enough (or is qualified enough) to be considered for the job at hand. With some due diligence on your part, you should be able to see a trend in the volume of reviews: a majority of good reviews means you probably have a reputable mold inspection company under consideration. Also, make sure the company actually responds the reviews. If a company ignores any review, it could mean a company lacks the appreciation for every customer served. A popular subscription-based consumer review site is Angie’s List. Reviews are provided by real people that pay to be on the site. There is a mutual understanding among members that the reviews are only useful if they are truthful. A paid subscription-based consumer site means members have a vested interest in providing genuine reports because s/he will be depending on other reviews when making his/her hiring decision. Other popular review sites are Better Business Bureau, Google Maps, and Yelp.

     

    How to Hire A Mold Inspector in Los Angeles:

    • Verify Los Angeles mold inspector’s experience and mold credentials
    • Inquire about the type of equipment that is used for Los Angeles mold inspections
    • Cross reference the Los Angeles mold inspection company by getting references from past customers that have posted reviews about their experience with the mold inspection company.

  3. Same Day Mold Testing Earns 2011 Angie’s List Super Service Award

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    Same Day Mold Testing has been awarded the prestigious 2011 Angie’s List Super Service Award, an honor bestowed annually on approximately 5 percent of all the businesses rated on the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local service and health providers.

    “It is an honor to be selected for the Angie’s List Super Service Award for two consecutive years! It is truly a testament of our commitment to providing excellent service, high value, and prudent guidance for indoor environmental hazards. We are thankful to have this recognition from members of a national leader in consumer review ratings. We trust the Award will convey trust and confidence when consumers hire Same Day Mold Testing for their indoor environmental assessments.” Jason Harris, CMI – Same Day Mold Testing.

    “Only a fraction of the businesses rated on Angie’s List can claim the sterling service record of being a Super Service Award winner because we set a high bar,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “The fact that Same Day Mold Testing can claim Super Service Award status speaks volumes about its dedication to consumers.”

    Angie’s List Super Service Award winners have met strict eligibility requirements including earning a minimum number of reports, an exemplary rating from their clients and abiding by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

    Ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List, but members can find the 2011 Super Service Award logo next to business name in search results on AngiesList.com.

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