ADDITIONAL INSPECTIONS

Additional Inspections include certified mold investigation and radon inspection.

Certified Mold Investigation

What is mold and when is it dangerous?


How do I find the right inspector for mold inspection?


Click here for mold inspection pricing


What is Mold and when is it dangerous?

Molds are found both indoor and outdoor, and for the most part are harmless. However, recent health news have suggested that certain types of molds and certain levels are harmful when found indoors. Although scientific research on the relationship between mold and health problems is inconclusive, some people have claimed that exposure to mold can result in more serious health problems such as triggering asthma attacks, memory loss, neurological problems or even death.


Because mold moves through open doors and windows, and by attaching themselves to people it is impossible to keep mold out of a house. Indoor food sources of mold include clothing, wood, wallpaper, paint, and carpet. As molds grow and reproduce, they release spores into the air.

In addition, some people may be more sensitive to mold than others, just as some people are more sensitive to dust, food, or trees. Because different people react in different ways to mold exposure, it is difficult to determine how dangerous mold in the home may be. For this reason, experts still do not know at what level exposure to mold becomes a health risk in any given instance. Currently, there are no established standards for acceptable levels of indoor mold.


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How do i find the right inspector for mold inspection?

If you want to determine if your perspective new home, or existing home has unhealthy mold levels make sure to find the right inspector.

1. Contract with a Certified Mold Investigator.

2. Ensure that the Certified Mold Investigator has the following equipment:

• Regulated and calibrated air sampling machine
  
  
• Boroscope
  
  
• Sealed & sterile cotton swabs
  
  
• Sterile Tape
  
  
• Chain of Custody Process
  
  
• Certified and nationally recognized laboratory for analysis
  
  
• Quick delivery of samples to the laboratory for analysis.

3. Also make sure that 48-hours pass before samples are taken to receive results.

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Certified Radon Gas Investigation

What is Radon Gas?

How do you know if the house you are buying has a high level of radon?


What if there is a high level of radon gas? Does that mean the house is unsafe and not livable?


Click here for radon inspection pricing


What is Radon Gas?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas formed from the radioactive decay of Uranium found in rock and soil. Radon gas rises freely through loose gravel, cracks and fissures underground. When air pressure inside a building is lower than air pressure outside a building, the building acts as a vacuum pulling radon gas in through concrete pores, cracks, and openings around piping and joints. Elevated radon levels and long term exposure in a home or building are considered health hazards

As a certified Radon Gas Measurement Technician, I have studied the apparent predominance of high levels of Radon in certain areas of the country. The EPA Web sites shows the high numbers of inspections were conducted in North Georgia. This does not, by any means say that every house has a Radon Gas problem. No, it says that the acquirers of Radon Gas Measurements want to protect themselves and their families.

The main issue is that if there is a measurement of Radon Gas above 4.0 pico/cures per liter, then there is extreme danger to anyone living in that environment. The #1 cause of lung cancer in the US is smoking cigarettes. The 2nd leading cause of lung cancer is Radon Gas exposure. A smoker living in a Radon gas environment is irrefutably more likely to develop lung cancer.


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How do you know if the house you are buying has a high level or not?


Have the house measured by a Certified Radon Gas Technician. When buying a house, getting the results immediately, following EPA Guidelines is crucial to close the deal.

While charcoal canisters and other passive detectors are inexpensive, an advanced continuous radon monitor provides tamper resistant features such as movement detection, power failure notifications, and an hourly log of radon fluctuations that passive detection systems do not provide.

Charcoal tests are based on an absorption method. Decay from radon gas is absorbed by charcoal granules in side the canister. After the exposure period the canister is sealed and shipped to a laboratory for analysis. Charcoal allows continual absorption and de-sorption of radon, therefore this method does not give a true integrated measurement over the exposure time. A diffusion barrier is needed to cover the charcoal reducing the effects of drafts and high humidity. Laboratory errors can also occur after testing. Canisters can become lost during shipping, temporarily misplaced or even mislabeled causing lost time, more money, and retesting. Another consideration, is that a home seller, can always place the cover back over the charcoal canister and remove it just prior to the person arriving to claim it for transportation to a laboratory.

A Continuous Radon Monitor generates test reports from the firmware program embedded in the device and printed by a Certified Radon Gas Monitor Technician immediately following the 48-hour test. The Certified Technician can verify results and immediately point out any discrepancies. The devices of a Certified Technician are calibrated thus providing accurate results. A printed report is provided to the client.


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What if there is a high level of radon gas? Does that mean the house is unsafe and not livable?


By no means. There are EPA guidelines to mitigate the area where gas has penetrated and remove the danger. The cost to do this is generally no more than the cost to paint the outside of the structure.

Since time is of the essence, do select Capstone Home Inspections as your Certified Radon Gas Measurement Technician with a continuous radon gas monitor. Schedule this testing at least 60-hours in advance of the contracted inspection by date.

Radon Gas Measurements are performed in compliance with EPA Real Estate Testing Protocols outlined in publication 402-R-93-003

For more information on radon gas, visit the EPA web site www.epa.gov .

Read more about the qualifications and certifications that Capstone Inspections has obatined to offer your the best service possible.

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