After the drying
Mold Inspection & Testing in Westerville, OH
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.
The pro who inspects is the pro who quotes
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
What is the outside air duct for?
To feed the fire without pulling air out of the house. A grille on the outside wall connects through a duct to a small opening in the floor of the firebox, so the fireplace draws cold outside air rather than the heated air of the room.
How does rain get into it?
Through the grille, which sits on an outside wall and is usually a plain louver with nothing behind it. In a summer downpour, water driven at that wall goes in, and the duct runs downhill or level from there into the house. Nothing stops it.
Why does it get blamed on the chimney?
Because the water shows up at the hearth. That is where a chimney problem also shows up, so the flue gets inspected, found sound, and nobody looks lower. Tracing the duct back to its grille usually settles it in a few minutes.
This FAQ belongs to the Westerville page; it is repeated here.