Reality television star Kourtney Kardashian has reportedly fled her brand-new Calabasas estate with her husband and two young children because of a mold infestation, according to US Magazine. News reports say she claims that a mold issue, uncovered when new light fixtures were being installed, existed before buying the house, and was covered up with a fresh coat of paint.
What a headache—literally. Indoor mold can cause a host of health problems, from allergies, to headaches, and more severe respiratory issues. That’s not something anyone wants to deal with in a new home. But it can be prevented. Although typical home inspections usually focus on structural, electrical, and HVAC systems, professional environmental testing services will provide information about other potential toxins that may be lurking.
“Qualified, professional, environmental testing services provide protection and peace of mind to prospective homebuyers,” says Robert Weitz, a certified microbial investigator and principal at RTK Environmental Group, a leader in environmental testing for mold, asbestos, lead, and indoor air quality. “Mold is everywhere, but our professional investigators can determine if your future home has dangerous levels of mold, and if so, what its root causes are and how best to remove the mold.”
In some cases, mold plays a game of hide-and-seek. There may be infestations behind walls where you cannot see them. RTK’s investigators conduct a visual assessment of hard to reach areas, plus check typical hiding places for mold, including the back side of dry wall, wall paper, or paneling; the top side of ceiling tiles; the underside of carpets and pads; around pipes; inside ductwork; and in roof materials.
What a Mold Test Can Tell You
Whether you’re assessing a prospective home, or have already moved in and discovered signs of mold, it’s important to test, adds Weitz, noting that RTK’s professional investigators will determine what type of mold is present. “With over 100,000 known types of mold, a professional assessment will determine whether the mold is toxic and inform recommendations for cleanup,” he says.
Remediation plans will vary depending on the type of mold discovered. Some mold may be safely removed by bleach and water, while other molds release spores when disturbed, contaminating the air in the affected area, and possibly other areas of the house through your heating and air conditioning ventilation system.
“Whether you smell a musty odor, see visible mold, or someone in your family has symptoms associated with mold exposure, testing remains a critical piece of the process,” said Weitz. “RTK’s professional investigators are highly trained, educated, and eager to share their knowledge. We can tell you when you need a professional, and when you can take care of the cleanup yourself. We can also make recommendations about which damaged materials can be salvaged, and what must be discarded.”
After mold inspections are completed, RTK’s investigators provide a detailed report and recommendations for remediation. RTK Environmental Group only performs inspections, not remediation, ensuring the most accurate and unbiased results possible. Follow-up testing is available to ensure that the remediation was done properly and the root cause of the mold was fixed.
Sounds like Kourtney Kardashian could have used a mold inspection before she bought that estate. Next time.
