Category Archives: Moisture

Petaluma Home Inspector Moisture Control Specialist Water Leak Infrared

Replacing Wax Toilet Ring – Part 2

Home Inspector Article: Replacing Wax Toilet Ring Part 2 This video is part 2 of 2 for the Replacing the wax ring to prevent water damage.

Petaluma Home Inspector – Infrared Camera Finds Roof Leak During Home Inspection

Infrared cameras are an invaluable tool for a home inspector.  Infrared cameras detect infrared light using a special lens called a microbolometer.  Infrared light or energy is not detectable by the human eye and that is what makes infrared cameras so valuable because they help home inspectors see what we cannot see with our own eyes.   In this short home inspection video I demonstrate what a roof leak looks … Continue Reading

Vapor Barriers: Home Inspector Fact and Fiction

Vapor barriers are often recommended by home inspectors when moisture or evidence of moisture is observed in a crawlspace area.  This is particularly true in many areas of Sonoma County including Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Cotati, Rohnert Park and other low lying areas with adobe soil.  In many of these situations I see vapor barriers being recommended when there is evidence of standing water. When standing water is observed during a … Continue Reading

The Power of Infrared Technology

There is cutting edge inspection technology available today that gives you the power to see what no one else can see. Before infrared technology that brown stain on the ceiling might be a leak in the roof, after infrared technology that brown stain,well, it just needs a little paint (because we verified using infrared powered technology that the leak is not active). That is just one example of how the … Continue Reading

Crawl Space Mold and Moisture Problems

Building mold has emerged as a major issue for the entire home building industry. The issue stems from thousands of insurance claims and lawsuits, including successful multi-million dollar settlements that identify building mold as a health problem for tenants and homeowners. Crawl spaces fitted with traditional foundation vents (wall vented) are particularly vulnerable to moisture and mold problems. Typical problems found in wall vented crawl spaces include: „ Standing water … Continue Reading

The EPA on Mold

The Environmental Protection Agency rates indoor air pollution among the top environmental health risks. According to the EPA, the air inside the average home is up to five times more polluted than the air outside. Poor indoor air quality can lead to a variety of health problems, including allergic reactions, infections, and even cancer. It can also contribute to asthma and other lung diseases. Fungi, Allergens and Asthma:  Molds are … Continue Reading

Wine Storage Facility

Recently I have had the opportunity to work on project involving a wine storage facility.  The warehouse space is conditioned with a coo long unit designed to keep the temperature at 55 F.  When I arrived at the facility I quickly noticed that there was a black staining on the interior portion of the exterior walls.  Because this facility was for storage only the insulation was left exposed.  I also … Continue Reading

The Truth About Mold Testing

Is mold testing a valuable service?  The quick answer is yes.  The long answer is, yes, but under optimum conditions and when it is performed by trained personnel.  The conditions and methodology are critical to a successful outcome for the client, so much so, that testing can be a waste of money in some circumstances or when it is applied to the wrong project.  A key variable in deciding when testing is … Continue Reading

Mold Inspection Basics

What is a mold inspection?  This really is a bit harder to define than you would think because in reality clients have many different concerns with respect to mold and a good inspector will taylor the services to meet the clients request in an effort to answer the most critical question as cost efficiently as possible.  A well planned mold inspection will include the following: A client interview to discuss … Continue Reading