After the drying
Mold Inspection & Testing in Cedar Rapids, IA
An independent assessor confirms whether the assembly that got wet is actually dry, whether growth started while it was not, and how far it reaches. An inspection after a water loss confirms whether the assembly that got wet is dry now and whether growth started while it was not. Readings are taken in the material, cavities are opened where the readings point, and the result is a written scope of what is dry, what is not, and what has to be corrected for the repair to hold.
No obligation: the assessment comes before any scope
On this site, inspection is the last check of a water job rather than the start of a separate one. Most people reach this page because something was wet, was dried, and a smell or a stain came back. The inspection answers whether the material is dry now and whether anything grew while it was not. Nothing here is medical advice; questions about health are for a clinician.
Often needed alongside
- Mold Remediation
Growth and the material it grew into come out under containment, what remains is cleaned, and the assembly is dried and read before anything closes it in.
- Structural Drying & Dehumidification
Sealed air movers and dehumidifiers bring framing, subfloor and drywall back to a measured dry standard, with daily readings logged from inside the material.
Frequently asked questions
Why would the roof be connected to the drain?
Because it was normal when these were built. The downspouts were piped underground into the house drain rather than discharged onto the ground, which kept the yard dry and was perfectly acceptable at the time. A great many of those connections are still there.
What does that do in a storm?
It puts the whole roof into a pipe sized for sinks and baths. A heavy June rain delivers more in an hour than the house would use in a week, so the drain surcharges and the water leaves at the lowest opening it can find, which is in the basement.
Is disconnecting them worth it?
It usually is and it is often the whole answer. Taking the downspouts off the drain and running them out onto the ground removes the load that causes the backup, and it is modest work against a basement that floods after every heavy rain.
The Cedar Rapids overview carries this FAQ with the city research.