Realtors need to know so much about homes and construction. They learn what to look for that affects the value of the home as well as safety and areas of potential liability for the seller. They have a stable of consultants from home inspectors and garage door repairman, to carpet cleaners and children’s swing set vendors. But how many realtors have a mold specialist that does indoor air quality testing and identifies pollutants such as mold that can affect the health of the residents?
Good day, I’m Daniel Smith and my company is Smith Environmental Solutions, “the solution to the pollution” for
indoor air quality. For eleven years as a certified mold inspector, I have been testing and analyzing air samples inside homes
to detect the presence of mold, asbestos and radon, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants.
Have you ever been asked to list a house that had an unpleasant odor? It takes some finesse to tell the seller that foul
smelling air is a turn-off to a prospective buyer. And then what do you recommend? Who do you call? You call Daniel Smith
and here’s why. Odors can come from pollutants such as smoking, pets and cooking and get trapped in the carpets and
drapes but a bad smell can often be a sign of mold growth which may be unhealthy. Sometimes, a roof leak, or a leak in the
walls will not be visible so the mold has plenty of time to grow to an unhealthy level.
MOLD is a hot topic these days because we have heard that it is something that should concern us, but not all
molds are dangerous. Mold is a type of fungus activated by moisture and/or water. Areas prone to moisture and mold
growth are kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, utility closets and basements or crawl spaces. Areas prone to leaks can be
the roof, windows and condensate pipes for air conditioning units. Look for water stains on ceilings, walls, base cabinets and
trim as these could indicate the presence of mold that is active, but not visible. A specialist should be called if mold or water
stains are visible, or if there is an strong musty smell or any foul odors present in a specific area within the home.
Mold inspections in basements and crawl spaces should occur yearly, and before buying or selling a home because air testing
can produce peace of mind that the family will not be breathing in pollutants. Health dangers associated with mold
contaminated air are especially severe for children and older adults or anyone that has respiratory problems like asthma or
those with compromised immune systems. Coughing, sneezing, headaches, nausea and extreme fatigue can be signs of an
allergic reaction to indoor air pollution.
ASBESTOS is a heat resistant fibrous silicate material, most often used as pipe insulation in homes built before 1990.
Renovating an older home would be a good reason to call a specialist to identify the material before removing it and releasing
dangerous asbestos particles into the air.
RADON is a naturally occurring gas that comes through fissures in rock ledge such as granite. In some cases,
well water can also be a source of radon. Visible rock outcroppings on the property or well water would be the reason
for consulting a specialist for testing to detect the presence of the gas in the home.
VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOC) are organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at ordinary room temperature
such as gasoline, benzene, toluene and formaldehyde. Store and use products containing these compounds outside of the
house and allow adequate ventilation when in use.
PUBLIC AWARENESS of mold growth and it’s health affects is not mainstream. There is a strong consciousness of the value of
clean food and clean water, but indoor air quality is not a subject that is top of mind awareness. I want to change that!!
Did you know that we spend as much as 60% of our spare time inside our homes, and a large percentage of homes have,
or have had a problem with mold.
With over a decade of experience and multiple certifications, I have always been very passionate about this area of health,
and I take my work very seriously. I am an educator and want to create more awareness of the importance of the quality of
the indoor air that we breathe. If you have a question or need assessment or testing, please consider me your partner.
Certified Mold Specialists are the Qualified Professionals:
If you think you have a mold problem, you need an expert.
Smith Environmental Solutions Inc is in the business of assessing and improving Indoor Air Quality. For 11 years, Daniel Smith, Certified Mold Inspector and Certified Indoor Air Quality Specialist, has personally inspected, tested and analyzed air samples in over 3000 combined homes and businesses across the Carolinas. Our clients have entrusted us to determine the severity of their air quality as it relates to mold and other common indoor related allergens, and provide solutions.
Note: Information in this article is not intended to give legal or medical advice. The content provided by SES is based on industry approved education and training, professional certifications in mold testing and indoor air quality, and years of experience in scientific mold inspection, testing, and assessment and is intended for general informational purposes only.
