Tom Camp Inspection Services, LLC

In one of my recent home inspections, while inspecting the water heater I noticed a musty odor in the closet in which the heater resided.  Further investigation revealed my suspicions, yes it was mold .

As part of my inspections I am required to inspect the Water Heater and this one had a defective TPR  Valve(Temperature & Pressure Relief Valve) .   The valve had allowed water to saturate the drywall in this closet. This went unnoticed by the home owner and led to costly repairs.  It could have been worse and could have led to health issues which are associated with mold growth and mold spores in the home which I will describe later.  The other photo is a shower which was neglected and unused for some time.

When water is present with warm enough temperature and food (in this case the drywall was the food source) you can have mold growth producing spores which can have adverse health conditions.  Mold can also cause structural damage.

Molds are part of the natural environment. In the Great Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees and tree limbs or firewood, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.  Molds can be found in many colors, Black, White, Gray, Rust and Green.

Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Symptoms can include include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. Also, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs.

A crawl space is another place for mold growth because they are typically damp, dark and dusty, a great combination for mold growth.  Keep your eyes open, because you can usually spot mold growth or smell its musty odors.

Best advice is to call a NACHI CERTIFIED MOLD INSPECTOR if you suspect you have an issue, it can save you money in the long run, not to mention your health.

I live in Colorado Springs and perform Home and Commercial inspections along the Front Range.  In one of my home inspections I walked into a basement bedroom and was struck by a particular odor. It was that musty moldy odor one dreads,  after further investigation I discovered a “frost proof” hose bib located in the ceiling along a back wall had not been so “frost proof”.  In the photo below the split that is visible is due to a failed valve.

Note the length of this valve which is 18” long, the actual shut off is at the back of the valve which leaves 18” of pipe without water in it which is sufficient for winter conditions.  This valve however had failed leaving water in the pipe and subject to freezing.

The owner had to remove the carpet, a section of drywall and insulation, mitigate the mold in the wall cavity and have these items replaced.

The question remains, is your “frost proof” hose bibs operating correctly?
One good check is to operate your hose bib, when shut off a small amount of water should drain out. This would be the water in the 18” of pipe, because remember the valve is in the back of the unit.  

Even in the middle of winter we can have 60 degree weather which is a good time to water trees or wash your vehicle, don’t forget to disconnect the hose from your hose bib or you will be inviting disaster.

I hope this helps to prevent a catastrophe around your home or business.