Common hidden problems a standard real estate home inspection may not find.

1. Former marijuana grow operations

The vast majority of former marijuana grow operations were never busted by police. In fact, many people are living in former grow ops without even knowing it. The former growers often cover the mold up but do not remediate it properly. The problem is almost impossible to detect by the home inspector. The only sure way to know if there are elevated levels of mold that may pose a health risk is to test the air for mold. ABM Environmental can perform the tests and ensure the home does not contain toxic black mold common in former grow operations.

2. Leaks and Flooded areas that were not restored properly

Floods happen to almost every home owner at some point. Whether it is a flooded basement, a burst pipe, or an overflowed bath tub, floods do happen often. These floods if not dried properly will leave behind hidden mold. ABM Environmental can perform inspections and air tests to ensure the home does not contain toxic levels of hidden mold from past floods.

3. Former leaky condos with elevated levels of mold still in the building

Often after leaky condo restoration work is complete, mold testing is NOT done to verify mold spores are at a safe level. Mold can contaminate the interior living areas of the building during the remediation process. Unsafe levels of mold may remain within the building long after leaky condo repairs are completed. ABM Environmental can perform air tests to ensure the condo does not contain elevated levels of mold.

4. Inadequate attic ventilation causing high humidity and allowing mold to form

Attics are designed to allow air to flow through the soffit vents and exhaust through roof top vents to reduce the humidity. Often this ventilation system does not function properly due to plugged vents or an inadequate balance between soffit and roof top vents. Condensation will form on the attic sheathing and allow mold to grow. This is not always detected by home inspectors. ABM Environmental specializes in attic ventilation systems, assessing humidity and determining if there is a mold problem in an attic.

5. Damp basements that were finished without first resolving moisture problems

Basements are often finished by home owners or poorly qualified handymen. This can result in mold forming behind walls or beneath the flooring if proper vapour barriers were not installed or there were pre existing moisture problems. ABM Environmental can detect moisture problems below the surfaces and test for mold levels in the air to determine if there are any hidden problems behind the walls or below the flooring.

6. Wet crawl spaces during the winter months which dry out during the spring and summer

If a crawl space has moisture problems mold will likely contaminate the interior of the house over time. Since the moisture in the crawl space is not easily detected during dryer summer months, often the problem is completely missed by home inspectors. In the winter, the crawl spaces will become damp and musty. ABM Environmental air sampling and testing can determine if there is a mold problem in the crawl space and if it is affecting the air quality inside the house.