Epilogue Inspections | Jeff Frame | 425-312-8976
Welcome to the Pacific Northwest. You have mold.
Epilogue Inspections will help you figure out if you can live with it.
In addition to molds, our air samples include analysis of the following background particulates: amorphous organic debris, animal hair, cellulose fibers, cotton fibers, dust mites, insect fragments, newspaper ink, pollen, salt crystals, charred plant debris, charred woody fragments, diatoms, gypsum board, inkjet droplets, dust mite feces, plant fragments, skin cells, starch grains, synthetic fibers.
Single surface sample taken during home inspection. Includes expedited results.
$50 off mold inspection when performed in conjunction with home and/or sewer inspection. Includes expedited results ($75 value).
Mold reproduces by releasing spores which grow best on organic material surrounded by warm, moist air. Indoor spaces with humidity levels of 60% or higher and temperatures between 77° and 86°F are conducive to mold growth. Interior water damage caused by condensation, leaks, or flooding is also mold-conducive especially if not addressed within 48 hours.
No one knows precisely. Estimates range from tens of thousands to over three hundred thousand. Because molds vary by region, we are only exposed to a small percentage of them. Common indoor molds include alternaria, aspergillus, cladosporium, and penicillium.
It depends on the type of mold. In general, airborne mold spore counts differ by region, season, and even neighborhood. We sample the spore count outside your home and compare it to the spore count inside your home. If your indoor spore count is significantly higher than your outdoor spore count, you have elevated levels of mold inside your home. However, ANY level of mold like stachybotrys is unacceptable. Stachybotrys is not aerophile, so even one spore in the air means there’s an active surface growth nearby.
Wrong. Newer homes are designed to be tightly sealed for energy efficiency. Good ventilation systems are typically in place but go unused by residents. A tightly sealed home can trap moisture, fueling mold growth. For example, we often find mold in attics of new construction.
DIY mold test kits use a settle (gravity) plate which is set in your space for a while, then sent to a lab which reports what species of mold settled on the plate. We recommend against these test kits for a couple of reasons:
Molds are typically categorized into allergenic, pathogenic, and toxigenic.
Read about these categories below and then explore our gallery to see which molds are common to our area.
Allergenic molds are the most common. While they can certainly result in structural damage to your home, they are usually harmless to your health. However, they can cause reactions in individuals with mold sensitivities.
Pathogenic mold exposure can be a health concern to individuals whose immune systems are suppressed, underdeveloped, or compromised. They are not typically bothersome to those with healthy immune systems.
Toxigenic, or toxic, mold poses more of a health risk because it not only affects those who are mold sensitive or immunocompromised, but it can also cause health problems for individuals who are otherwise healthy.