Radon
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas which comes from rock formations under the house, specifically from the deterioration of uranium. While there is always some degree of radon in the air around us, high concentrations of radon inside a house can cause concern since radon gas has been identified as the second leading cause of lung cancer. United Inspectors Group can arrange for a special radon test as part of your home inspection.

Radon gas is produced as part of the natural cycle of the deterioration of uranium in rock and soil formations. Typically it is found in higher concentrations in areas that have large granite formations, but that does not limit radon gas emissions to those areas. Radon gas is emitted beneath the surface and since it is a gas, it moves upward until it reaches the atmosphere, where it dissipates. Many times there is a home in that location, so the gas travels through the house, starting at the lowest level. If the concentration of gas is high, it can pose health hazards for occupants as a result of long periods of exposure. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has defined a "high concentration" of radon gas as exceeding 4.0 picocuries per liter of air. A simple test can be performed to determine what the levels of radon gas are in any house. The test is managed through United Inspectors Group, with analytical support from one of the environmental testing companies we use. This test is separate from the home inspection and requires a minimum 48 hours of testing to obtain reliable results. Your Realtor can explain more about the procedures involved. If the results of the test show concentrations above the 4.0 picocurie/liter of air level, the common solution is to install a special ventilation system to "by-pass" the house and reduce the radon gas to acceptable levels. For more detailed information about radon. click here.

Mold
Mold is a natural part of our environment, with over 100,000 species identified so far. Outdoors molds provide valuable services such as consuming dead leaves and trees. Concerns about mold arise when molds take up residence inside our homes. Some individuals experience allergic reactions to some molds, and these reactions can be severe, including pulmonary edema. Mold spores are always in indoor air, and health concerns can mount if the spores become too numerous or if they are a species known to trigger health problems. Most people are not aware of mold spores until they settle on a flat surface and gain access to moisture. Then they can spring to life, growing into a colony. Mold can be removed, and many buyers insist on knowing if there is a mold issue in a house before they move in. United Inspectors Group can schedule mold testing as part of your overall home inspection process.

Mold testing is known as mold screening: the goal is to determine if there is evidence of elevated levels of mold in the home, and what the likely causes are. United Inspectors Group's mold inspectors are home inspectors who have received specialized training, and can work independently to perform both the home inspection and the mold assessment, or can work simultaneously with your home inspector to complete the mold assessment at the same time. The mold inspector will take samples of the indoor air as well as contact samples of any visible mold growth that are found. The inspector will also examine the structure for sources of moisture, a requirement for mold to grow. The samples are sent to an accredited microbiological laboratory for analysis, and the results are typically available within 72 hours. A report is prepared by the mold inspector explaining the lab's findings and outlining a program for correcting the problem if one exists. For more information, click here.

Wood Boring Insects
An inspection for wood boring insects is usually called a "termite inspection" and is a separate inspection by a professional pest control company. This inspection is typically scheduled by the seller of the property. Usually the buyer's mortgage lender will insist on seeing the results of the termite inspection before finalizing the loan, and usually expects the inspection to be performed no more than 30 days prior to settlement. The "termite inspector" is actually looking for evidence of current activity--and previous damage--on the structure results from termites, wood-boring beetles, carpenter ants and other organisms that attack wood. If any current activity is found, typically the seller is responsible for the treatment, as well as the repair of any damage found, although these conditions can be the subject of negotiation.