Environmental Services

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Tennessee Building Inspections is a full service real estate inspection and consulting firm specializing in the inspection, diagnostics and testing of residential and commercial properties. The company services all of TN and is a recognized leader in testing and diagnostic inspections in the area. Tennessee Building Inspections combines a focus on customer service and experience with the utilization of technology to provide clients with the highest quality and fastest delivery times in the market. 

 

Our company provides clients with the following professional testing services: 

• Radon Screening

• Mold and Moisture Analysis

• Lead Paint Screening

• Asbestos Identification and Analysis

• Gas Leak Discovery

• Carbon Monoxide Gas Screening

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Building Moisture and Mold 

We Solve Moisture Issues Related To :

• Roof & gutter leaks 

• Basement water intrusion 

• Crawl space moisture 

• Exterior drainage issues 

• Leaking windows & doors 

• Faulty siding and installation 

• Leaking plumbing 

• Failed HVAC equipment

 

Moisture Diagnostics 

Eight of the top twelve issues found during a home inspection involve moisture related problems. Excessive moisture comes from many sources and must be eliminated or managed to prevent damages to the buildings components and health issues to occupants. We use Infrared Thermogrpahy to survey areas of concern and follow up with highly specialized moisture meters to determine the extent of moisture penetration, concentration and possible damage. 

Water is a powerful force. Any doubt of this fact can be erased by a simple visit to the Grand Canyon. And while your home is in no danger of becoming one of the Seven Wonders of the World, water can wreak havoc on a much smaller scale. 

Water damage can come from several sources: floods, burst pipes, leaky roofs, seepage, etc. Many types are obvious, as is the damage caused by them. But even if you can’t see the damage right away, a slow flow of water can often be worse than obvious leaks. Left untreated, it can cause: 

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• Pipe corrosion 

• Foundation damage 

• Foul odors 

• Mold

 

Repairing hidden water damage can be an even greater challenge. Depending upon the source of the damage, it may or may not be covered by homeowner’s insurance. In the case of mold, getting rid of the problem may be a monumental undertaking. How can you protect yourself from this menace? A professional inspection can help. Using moisture detection devices, coupled with years of experience, we can often detect water damage long before it becomes a problem.

Mold in the Home
The first thing to understand about mold is that there is a little mold everywhere – indoors and outdoors. It's in the air and can be found on plants, foods, dry leaves, and other organic materials. It's very common to find molds in homes and buildings. After all, molds grow naturally indoors. And mold spores enter the home through doorways, windows, and heating and air conditioning systems. Spores also enter the home on animals, clothing, shoes, bags and people. When mold spores drop where there is excessive moisture in your home, they will grow. Common problem sites include humidifiers, leaky roofs and pipes, overflowing sinks, bath tubs and planted pots, steam from cooking, wet clothes drying indoors, dryers exhausting indoors, or where there has been flooding. Many of the building materials for homes provide suitable nutrients for mold, helping it to grow. Such materials include paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood and wood products, dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.

 

Exposure to mold

 Everyone is exposed to some amount of mold on a daily basis, most without any apparent reaction. Generally mold spores can cause problems when they are present in large numbers and a person inhales large quantities of them. This occurs primarily when there is active mold growth. For some people, a small exposure to mold spores can trigger an asthma attack or lead to other health problems. For others, symptoms may only occur when exposure levels are much higher. The health effects of mold can vary. The production of allergens or irritants can cause mild allergic reactions and asthma attacks. The production of potentially toxic mycotoxins can cause more severe reactions, and in rare cases death.

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The importance of mold in the real estate market today
Much has been made of indoor mold in advertising and the media lately, so it’s a common concern for homeowners and buyers. It's common to find mold even in new homes. Whether you’re selling your current home or looking into buying one, it’s vital to get a mold inspection. Presence of active mold can drastically affect the resale value of any home. For homeowners, a mold inspection will either put your mind at rest or make you aware of any problems that could otherwise cause delays once you’ve entered negotiations with a buyer. A professional mold inspection will give you a signed report from an expert before you put the home up for sale. Imagine being able to show a “clean bill of health” to potential buyers that express concerns – they’ll be impressed by your thoroughness and commitment to your home. For buyers, getting a mold inspection will ensure that you’re not surprised by costly clean up and the potential health hazards of mold. If any mold is found to be present and active in the home, the mold inspection will allow you to ask the seller to do the clean up prior to buying the home.

Should I be concerned about mold in my home?
Yes. If indoor mold is extensive, those in your home can be exposed to very high and persistent airborne mold spores. It is possible to become sensitized to these mold spores and develop allergies or other health concerns, even if one is not normally sensitive to mold.

Can my home be tested for mold?
Yes. A mold inspection is outside of the scope of a Home Inspection. We recommend that you or your agent contact a mold specialist for inspection and testing. Mold conditions will be identified in your home inspection, but we do not identify the "Type" of mold, or any health related issues to the mold.

How do I remove mold from my home?
First address the source of moisture that is allowing the mold to grow. Then take steps to clean up the contamination. Here are helpful links to lean more about cleaning up mold in your home.

• " A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home," Environmental Protection Agency 

• " Repairing Your Flooded Home," FEMA 

• " Controlling Mold Growth in the Home,"Kansas State University  

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