Send us Fan Mail

A brand-new house is supposed to be the safe option, but what happens when the basement and crawl space already have standing water and fuzzy, olive gray growth before the paint even dries? We walk through a real on-site mold inspection where the buyer’s “something feels off” turns into a clear moisture problem, visible microbial growth, and the big question every homeowner asks next: is it contained to the crawl space, or is it spreading through the whole home?

We break down our process in plain language: surface swabs where growth is visible, air sampling on multiple levels, and an outdoor control sample so the results have context. You will hear what the lab reported, including common culprits like Cladosporium and Penicillium Aspergillus, and why “not elevated” upstairs still deserves attention when moisture and airflow can move spores over time. We also share why we do not treat ERMI as a dependable residential standard, and what a better “habitation investigation” mindset looks like when indoor air quality is on the line.

From there, we get honest about remediation. Scrubbing and spraying without containment can make things worse, and the lack of mold remediation licensing in Ohio means anyone can claim they know what they are doing. We talk mycotoxins, how testing is evolving, and the real-world mess that happens when disclosures are incomplete or contracts quietly limit air quality testing. If you want practical, buyer-focused guidance on mold testing, crawl space moisture, and safer next steps, hit play, then subscribe, share with a friend, and leave us a review with your biggest air quality question.

Support the show

To learn more about Habitation Investigation, the Three-time Winner of the Best Home Inspection Company in the Midwest Plus the Winner of Consumer Choice Award for Columbus Ohio visit Home Inspection Columbus Ohio - Habitation Investigation (homeinspectionsinohio.com) 

NBC4 news segments: The importance of home inspections, and what to look for | NBC4 WCMH-TV

Advice from experts: Don’t skip the home inspection | NBC4 WCMH-TV

OSU student’s mysterious symptoms end up tied to apartment’s air quality | NBC4 WCMH-TV

How to save money by winterizing your home | NBC4 WCMH-TV

Continuing Education for Ohio Agents Scheduled classes
Continuing Education for Ohio Agents Course listings...