Los Angeles Mold Inspection Case Studies

Case #1 - New Homeowner with Pre-existing Mold Issues

Introduction
The following case is based on an actual MIS client. All the names
and addresses have been changed to ensure our client’s anonymity.
The facts in this case are not unusual. It is an excellent example of
how important the role of a professional mold consultant can play in
protecting a homeowner’s health and financial interests.

Problem
Our client purchased a new home in early 2003 in Los Angeles County
near the ocean. Prior to moving in she wished to undertake some
minor renovations. After only a few walls were removed, it was
obvious that the house had a mold problem. We were engaged to
inspect the property and analyze the situation.

What We Found
The property had high concentrations of mold in virtually every
room of the house. In addition, the structure had serious water
intrusion problems.

What Now?
The property is uninhabitable due to potential health issues relating
to the large concentration of mold and its effect on the quality of
the indoor air. A large scale remediation effort will be necessary to
properly eliminate the mold contamination. Unfortunately, this will
include removal of expensive structural elements of the home.
Once the remediation is complete, post-remediation sampling will
be performed to ensure success of the clearance work. Finally, a
large amount of re-construction will be necessary to replace the
removed materials and remedy the sources of water intrusion.
This is a long and costly process.

Solution
Our client should have called us BEFORE closing escrow on this
property. These issues could have been uncovered with a thorough
mold inspection and the related sampling. Rather than going through
the long, expensive nightmare of fixing a large scale mold problem
and navigating the complex and arduous litigation relating to the
non-disclosure of water and mold problems, our client could be
living in another home, happy and free of mold.

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