"Mold" on trusses...how would you address?

[Darren Spencer]

Offer a complete Mold Inspection.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Update:

The builder wouldn't do anything about it unless the buyer proved it was mold. Buyer didn't want to spend any more money on it, so she backed out of this deal.

She bought an identical unit she has observed for 2 months and photographed during construction (from the same builder). No fuzzy stuff on the trusses she told me. (She didn't have it inspected.)

Builder will fully disclose mold issues on the trusses to a future buyer.

[David M. Edwards]

A house does not pass or fail an inspection! It is given a non bios and non evasive report of its current condition.give the report to your client with lots of time stamp photos, if your are not a mold expert tell your client, tell the reltor and builder if the house was clean and ready to sell it would have!

[ldapkus]

Originally Posted by dedwards2

A house does not pass or fail an inspection! It is given a non bios and non evasive report of its current condition.give the report to your client with lots of time stamp photos, if your are not a mold expert tell your client, tell the reltor and builder if the house was clean and ready to sell it would have!

Looks like it FAILED! She didn't buy it..... BIG "F"

[Rick K. Kie]

It is what it is. Call it out as what it is and suggest it be Remediated.

[James E. Braun, CMI]

You might want to stick the word "properly" in front of remediated. Remediated just means "removal of" which can cause more harm than good if it is not done properly.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Originally Posted by rkie

It is what it is. Call it out as what it is and suggest it be Remediated.

Unless you're qualified as a mold specialist, you probably shouldn't ever suggest "remediation". Rather, suggest they "consult" with a mold specialist or mold remediation specialist. There is a difference.

[Douglas Wall]

Unless you're qualified as a mold specialist, you probably shouldn't ever suggest "remediation". Rather, suggest they "consult" with a mold specialist or mold remediation specialist. There is a difference.

Bingo

[Richard Mangold]

I would simply state that " a potential biological material was observed in .... Recommend futher evaluation by a qualified mold inspector". Obviously, if you are a qualified mold inspector suggest that you perform a mold inspection. Don't call it mold until a lab has identified it.

[Russell J. Hensel]

Damn...don't call it mold. What would you call it? Staining? Unknown Substance? Greenish growth of unknown origin? why are people so damn scared? Call it what it is! If you don't know its mold then get out of the inspection business. I call concrete - concrete, I call a chimney a chimney, I call a fireplace a fireplace. Do you call leaks under the sink a fluid like manner that is consistent with hydrogen and 2 part oxygen under the sink and to call a plumber for further evaluation? Why would mold be any different? Or can you tell me that its H2O without lab testing?

I get so frustrated. Many people call me to look over the home inspection they received. Many times I see, 1972 house has staining on the interior sheathing of the roof call a licensed roofer to evaluate the entire roof all it components to determine the exact condition of the roof. Then I see, there is a minor leak at the kitchen sink. Call a licensed plumber to evaluate the entire plumbing system of the house for further evaluation. Just frustrates the hell out of me that people look for any simple reason to disqualify the entire subsystem and to pass the buck. Just venting I guess, so many people make our profession look incompetent. Say what it is and stand behind your word.

[Russell J. Hensel]

I did not vote. I would have said that mold is on the attic trusses and it appears to be present from original construction when the roof trusses were exposed to the weather. There are no signs of outside influence that would be conducive to mold growth at the present time. Call a licensed remediator to have the trusses cleaned. DONE, why make it a freakin mystery? Why freak people out?

[William J. Decker]

What I would have done is called out the concern to my client, asked them if they wanted me to do a sample (for an extra cost).

If they wanted the sample, do it and have the lab take the heat. (If mold, which it is, have the bulder and Realtor argue with the lab. You just took the sample and have no liability, if you are certifed for mold.)

If the buyer does not want a sample taken, report as "visable organic growth consistant with mold. Recommend sampling by a licensed industrial hygenist before closing."

Simple, really.

You saw it, so you have a responsibility to your client to inform them.

If you do sampling, then let the lab take the heat. If you are not mold certifed, put the burdern of proof on the builder and Realtor to prove you wrong. All you did was say that it looks like mold (which it does and is). How can you be held liable for that.

You didn't build the POS and you are not, specifically, calling it out as mold. You are merely saying that it looks like mold and either doing a sample (and have the lab say it is mold) or you are referringt it to a specualist.

Either way, you are gold.

Hope this helps;

[Greg Bell]

Why are you concerned about mold in the attic?

All homes have mold.

[Russell J. Hensel]

Originally Posted by gbell

Why are you concerned about mold in the attic?

All homes have mold.

The reason is not having mold spores, but having VISUAL MOLD. There is mold everywhere, but there is not visual mold everywhere. The reason that I mention it is because there could be elements within the attic that is causing mold growth. If something is causing mold to grow in the attic do you not think it should be mentioned? If it starts to grow on the trusses it will begin to grow on the sheetrock that surrounds the residence.

Another reason I mention it, is because of the previous threads. Image you do the home inspection and the people have a family emergency and 4 months later decide to sell. the next home inspector comes in, and BOOM - FREAKS them out! OMG you have mold in the attic...RUN RUN RUN, YOUR GONNA DIE!!!!!! Guess who gets the next call?

[James E. Braun, CMI]

Most molds in attics are nothing to worry about. Most of the molds in attics are nontoxic, but a lot of considered toxic molds hang around nontoxic molds. I guess it is like a beautiful woman who has all ugly girlfriends.
Like Russel says it can still spread into the living areas, and there is no way of controlling which mold will take over. Molds are basically just fighting over feeding grounds. They are just trying to survive like you or me. All mold needs to be removed rather it is considered toxic or not. Let me put it simpler, no mold in attic good; visible mold in attic is bad.