Musty smells, stains on the ceiling, a damp crawl space — mold is common in humid Middle Tennessee homes. Find out what's growing and, more importantly, why.
Mold needs only three things to grow: moisture, a food source like wood or drywall, and the right temperature. Tennessee's hot, humid summers provide plenty of all three, especially in crawl spaces, attics, bathrooms, basements and around leaking plumbing or windows.
A mold inspection from Home Inspections by SP&D starts with a careful visual inspection for growth, staining and water damage, combined with moisture readings to locate the source. When sampling is appropriate, Mark collects surface or air samples that are analyzed by a laboratory to identify the types of mold present.
The most important part of any mold investigation is finding the moisture problem. Without fixing the source, mold will keep coming back no matter how many times it's cleaned.
Any of these signs is a good reason to look closer.
A persistent earthy or musty smell, especially in closed rooms or the crawl space.
Past leaks, flooding, stains on ceilings and walls or warped flooring.
Spots or discoloration on walls, framing, insulation or HVAC components.
Symptoms that seem worse indoors or improve when you leave the house.
Mold can damage building materials over time and may affect indoor air quality, which is a particular concern for people with allergies, asthma or other sensitivities.
When you're buying a home, a mold inspection helps you understand whether a stain is an old, resolved issue or an active problem that needs repair and professional remediation. That knowledge can shape your negotiation.
For homeowners, testing provides documentation of the problem, helps a remediation contractor plan the work and can confirm results afterward.
Mark's mold inspection and testing service covers:
Mold is found almost everywhere at some level. The concern is active growth inside the home, which signals a moisture problem and can affect air quality and building materials.
Visible growth always needs its moisture source corrected. Sampling can identify the type of mold and help document conditions, which is useful for negotiations and for planning remediation.
No. Home Inspections by SP&D inspects and tests. Keeping inspection separate from remediation means you get an unbiased assessment. Mark can explain what kind of contractor typically handles remediation.
A mold inspection focuses on finding visible growth and moisture sources, with sampling as needed. Mold air sampling specifically measures airborne spore levels and compares them to an outdoor sample.
From the first musty smell to clear answers.
Call 561-301-7571 and tell Mark what you've seen, smelled or experienced.
Mark looks for growth and water damage and uses moisture readings to find sources.
Surface or air samples are collected and sent to a qualified laboratory.
Get your results, photos and guidance on fixing the moisture problem.
Mold Inspection & Lab Testing • TN License #1374 • InterNACHI Certified • Serving Nashville & Middle Tennessee