After the drying
Mold Inspection & Testing in St. Joseph, MO
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 does water arrive from the alley?
Because it is uphill of the yard. The alley has been resurfaced repeatedly over the decades, and each layer raised it a little, until the paved strip behind the houses now stands above the ground on either side. Everything that lands on it runs off into the yards.
Which part of the house takes it?
The back, and usually the back basement wall or a rear entry down a few steps. It is worth saying because attention normally goes to the front and to the roof, and a back yard that is receiving from a paved surface is not something people think to look at.
Is the alley the city's to regrade?
Not by one household, which is the frustrating part. It is public ground and its level is not going to change. The work is catching what comes off it at the property line and carrying it around the building rather than letting it reach the wall.
The St. Joseph overview carries this FAQ with the city research.