NPMA states that "mold destroys wood"

[Ben J. Gromicko]

Originally Posted by kleonard

....
If the mold problem (In my professional opinion) is very extensive, then I recommend remediation by a qualified contractor. Although I have never had to make that recommendation.....at least not yet.

I've always used the 10 square feet rule with mold.
If there has been a lot of water damage, and/or mold growth covers more than 10 square feet, "consult a professional to clean up the mold problem."

[John McKenna]

The EPA may have decided the debate over the word mold vs fungi is not that important.

[kpierce]

Originally Posted by jmckenna1

The EPA may have decided the debate over the word mold vs fungi is not that important.

I don't believe it is that important. Mold is a fungi so they should be interchangeable. The discrepancy comes when one classifies mold as a "wood destroying" fungi.

[Ben J. Gromicko]

The presence of a carpenter ant inside a home indicates a _______ problem.

[Kevin M. Leonard]

wood destroying insect problem

& or moisture problem - But the moisture could be on the outside of the structure & not creating a problem inside of the structure.

[John McKenna]

Originally Posted by bgromicko

The presence of a carpenter ant inside a home indicates a _______ problem.

You left crumbs of chocolate cake on the counter last night

[Jeffery L. Haynes]

Originally Posted by bgromicko

I recommend relying on the EPA as a very reliable source. It would be difficult for all home inspectors in an international association to quote various regional sources and expect all of us to agree. Let's just give the EPA a chance to shed some light on the subject.

I wouldn't rely on the EPA.......it wouldn't be the first time they have been wrong......yet I am not disagreeing with in that some fungi can destroy wood but to make a blanket statement that mold in general can result in the loss of structural integrity............sorry, I'm not biting on that one.

[Greg Veal]

Ben

I'm trying to determine what you are trying to say/accomplish, with your broad opening statement.
What is your goal?

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by gveal

Ben

I'm trying to determine what you are trying to say/accomplish, with your broad opening statement.
What is your goal?

MB traffic?

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by mlarson

MB traffic?

[Ben J. Gromicko]

Originally Posted by mlarson

MB traffic?

I can see how many people take the InterNACHI online courses (the free ones). When I see a course that is lacking students, I feel that my job (in a small part) is to bring forth discussions on the message board that results in consideration of those courses. That is all I do. That is what I am passionate about. When I was a home builder, that's all I did. When I was a home inspector, that's all I did. Now, I actually enjoy volunteering my time at InterNACHI (I am not a W-2 or a 1099). I try to do my best to bring the level of awareness and knowledge up to a high level. What InterNACHI has to offer is the best on the planet. I have education and training in my mind, and on my conversation all of the time (ask my wife - it drives her nuts - God bless her). This is what I do. That's it. It's very simple. I try to spike up interest in education and training - that can be provided by InterNACHI. I also make a little money with selling NACHI.TV training videos. But not enough to feed my family. InterNACHI is where I like to be. That's my heart. That's what I am here to do. I enjoy working with my Brother. I hope I am doing well. I make mistakes - as we all do - sometimes I say things that may not be right - but who's perfect? I've been doing this for now 19 months, and I think before I came to InterNACHI, education and training wasn't up to speed. Now I think we're making some good progress. Shaking up the world. ITA is gone. It's very expensive to attend a conventional classroom setting nowadays. Online is it. InterNACHI is pushing the envelope. I simply hope to work hard enough to contribute something to the process.

So, in short... the spirit of this thread is to encourage inspectors to simply consider the amazing (and unrealized IMHO) relationship between moisture, mold, and wood destroying organisms. NPMA and EPA state (through their various publications) that mold destroys wood (paraphrasing). If an inspector sees something that he/she knows (because of their excellent training) destroys wood, and the EPA and NPMA also say so, then .... What should an inspector write in their report? And how does that relate to, conflict with, exceed beyond the SOP?

Aside: If message board traffic brings attendance to InterNACHI's online education, then I'll keep posting. But if you look at the number of posts, I'm below the average.

[Michael Larson]

Some people just can't take a joke.