CENTRAL FLORIDA BUILDING INSPECTORS

Helping to provide a safe environment for your family and investments since 1988

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Every CFBI Inspection includes an evaluation for possible conditions of your property invisible to the naked eye through the use of state-of-the-art thermal imaging or infrared technology. Infrared scanning is a non-invasive tool that allows our inspectors to show you things about your homes or buildings that can’t be revealed using conventional inspection methods. Conditions like moisture intrusion and certain adverse conditions in electrical systems can be revealed through our thermal imaging service.

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Mold Services

CFBI is proud to offer various moisture inspection services, mold testing & indoor air quality services to meet your needs. These services are typically performed for someone that thinks they may have a moisture or mold problem, has visible mold growth, can smell “musty” odors or who has had a previous water leak.

We also perform real estate transaction moisture inspections and mold testing when someone buys or sells a house. The purpose of this service is to discover mold and moisture issues BEFORE you purchase the property so you can make a better-informed decision.

The State of Florida has licensing in place for home inspectors and mold-related service professionals (mold assessors and mold remediation contractors). There are some distinctions to be aware of related to our abilities in CFBI vs. a specialized mold assessment or remediation company:

A home inspector is allowed to:

Perform moisture inspections
Look for obvious signs of water intrusion & mold growth
Collect mold samples
Make recommendations for the need for qualified mold professionals

A mold assessor is needed when:

There is over 10 sq. ft. of mold growth visible & an assessment is needed
A remediation protocol is required
For post remediation verification testing
Providing guidance on remediation plans and procedures

If you feel you need a mold assessor, please visit our sister company, Elite Mold Services, for more information and pricing. Otherwise, to better understand CFBI’s services, we have listed them below:

Visual Moisture Inspections

A moisture inspection includes a visual evaluation of the entire property for obvious mold/fungal growth or other indicators of hidden mold problems. This also includes a moisture inspection with our radio-wave moisture meters in all areas that are prone to high moisture along with any areas of obvious moisture staining. We will check inside the HVAC system & ductwork for microbial growth. Our Thermal Imaging Camera will be implemented in our inspection process to help find active moisture that is not visible to the naked eye.

Based on the inspection and if any visible mold or other “red-flag” areas are found, we then can make suggestions to collect sampling or a recommendation for a mold remediation (abatement). The State of Florida has licensing in place for remediation so for projects addressing over 10 sq. ft. of mold growth, a licensed professional would be required.

Mold Testing & Indoor Air Quality Sampling

Air Quality Testing & Mold Spore Sampling:

This is an extremely valuable type of mold test that will let you know what you are breathing inside a property. We collect air samples from within the home or building and everything in the air gets impacted onto the spore trap cassette. An outside air sample is always collected at the same time to evaluate the “normal” molds found around the property and this is used as a baseline for comparison.

These spore trap cassettes are then sent to the lab for analysis. The report will show not only the types of mold but also the levels or quantity of mold in the air. These reports will be helpful to determine if mold remediation is necessary or if any further actions are required.

Here at CFBI, we believe is using the best products in all we do. All air samples will be completed using Zefon spore trap cassettes (Air-O-Cell®) to ensure the most reliable results. The Air-O-Cell® is designed for the rapid collection of a wide range of airborne aerosols including mold spores, pollen, insect parts, skin cells, fibers and inorganic particulate.

Swab or Surface Sampling:

This is a test performed when there is visible mold growth, and it needs to be identified or confirmed. Many of us can “spot” what we believe to be mold growth, however, having an independent microbiology lab confirm this could give you the upper hand in real estate negotiations. Also, we highly recommend using surface sampling to help identify or confirm possible sources of mold affecting the air. A good example of this is when there is visible mold in a HVAC system. A surface sample of this growth should be collected along with air sampling inside the home. Cross-referencing the type of mold found in the HVAC system will provide valuable details on the source of any elevated airborne mold spores.

The process of collection includes the use of a wetted swab or tape lift. The growth is collected off the surface and then sealed it in a specialized container. This will then be forwarded to an AIHA accredited laboratory for analysis. The report will include the mold genus name and the description of what common health effects are caused by it.

Carpet Sampling:

Carpet sampling can be another tool to find out a “history” of the mold counts inside the house. The carpets are vacuumed in certain areas to collect the mold spores that may have settled into the carpet piles. The dust is collected and sent to the AIHA approved laboratory for analysis. The report will then show what type of mold spores were present. If there are indicators of water damaged building materials, ie; Stachybotrys, Chaetomium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, etc. then you can be assured there was a previous mold problem or water leak. The most common type of carpet/dust collection is called the ERMI test.

Behind-the-Wall Cavity Air Sampling:

This tool is used to sample the air spaces that could not be access without full demolition of the walls. During a mold inspection, if we find an area of hidden moisture we can drill a small 3/8″ hole and insert a special tube to sample the air in the cavity space. The sample will be sent to the lab for analysis and all spores present will be listed and their respective amounts. Due to the invasive nature of this test, approval will be required by the property owner first.

Odor (VOC) Sampling:

VOC or Volatile Organic Compounds are gases that can produce odors within a property. They can originate from chemical sources such as cleaning products, storage of chemicals, paints, and even from mold growth (mVOCs – microbial-volatile organic compounds). We can perform a screening for the individual VOC levels within a property to help determine the overall indoor air quality. This test typically runs for 2 hours and then will be sent to a third-party laboratory for analysis. Formaldehyde testing is also available.

What’s included with every home inspection?

A comprehensive visual inspection for moisture
A detailed inspection for visible mold growth
Use of infrared technology to find active moisture
Use of radio-wave and pin moisture meters to spot check for moisture
Photograph issues and write comments in report
Suggestions for mold sampling
Suggestions for corrective actions

What’s included in an UPGRADED moisture inspection with sampling?

A comprehensive visual inspection for moisture
A detailed inspection for visible mold growth
Use of infrared technology to find active moisture
Use of radio-wave and pin moisture meters to spot check for moisture
Photograph issues and write comments in report
Mold sampling included: Air, surface, wall cavity, etc.
A certified mold report from microbiology laboratory
More detailed suggestions for corrective actions based on test results

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Central Florida Radon Testing and Inspections

State-Certified Radon Technicians

Radon is a cancer-causing natural radioactive gas that you can't see, smell or taste. Its presence in your home can pose a danger to your family's health. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America and claims about 20,000 lives annually. The U.S. Surgeon General and EPA recommend that all homes be tested.*

Radon can be found all over the U.S.

Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon can be found all over the U.S. It can get into any type of building - homes, offices, and schools - and result in a high indoor radon level. But you and your family are most likely to get your greatest exposure at home, where you spend most of your time.*

You should test for radon

Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon. EPA also recommends testing in schools.*

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Termite (WDO) Inspections

Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) inspections are a special inspection to evaluate the presence of these insects or organisms in the home. State-certified consultants provide home buyers with accurate and detailed WDI/WDO inspection reports that use simple terms and are easy to understand. All inspections will be performed by our very own State-licensed WDO inspector.

State Licensed & Certified Termite WDO Inspectors
Florida Legal Wood Destroying Organism Inspection Report
Inspectors Complete Yearly Continuing Education
Can Email WDO Report - Easy to Read - Typed Form
Digital Photos of Damage or “Evidence” of Termites or other
Wood Destroying Organisms

WDO (Wood Destroying Organism) Termite Inspector

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Sewer Scope Inspections

What is a Sewer Scope Inspection?

A sewer scope inspection performed by CFBI is a video inspection of the lateral sewer line leading from the home or complex at/near the foundation and connecting to the city or HOA tap or septic tank. A lateral sewer line is the privately-owned pipeline connecting the property to the publicly-owned main sewer line, HOA tap, or septic tank.

Why a Sewer Scope Inspection is important.

The information a sewer scope inspection yields can be very helpful to homeowners, as well as prospective home buyers. Sewer scope inspections can reveal blockages, damage to the pipe system, and other problems, which are vital for homeowners and home buyers to be aware of. For example, if there is a damp depression in the lawn above the sewer line, or if there is backflow into the home, or if contaminants have been discovered in the potable water supply, a sewer scope inspection can be critical to identifying and confirming these problems, which must be addressed immediately.

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Thermal Imaging Services

Thermal imaging is a non-invasive, non-destructive way of evaluating conditions below the surface. Because everything from faulty wiring to the presence of termites to mold to wet insulation affects the surrounding temperature, heat-sensitive photography can reveal these and other issues that just cannot be seen by the naked eye or with conventional or digital photography. We can provide thermal imaging reports where we document the hidden fault for corrective action or to prioritize repairs.

These cameras are useful for energy audits because you can see exactly where cold air is entering the home or heat is being lost, along with energy dollars. The thermal imaging camera inspection can document dangerous electrical hot spots or the presence of moisture which can lead to harmful mold.

Thermal photography will deliver more thorough and in-depth inspections due to the fact we are able to view what can’t be seen with the naked eye.

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Well Water Quality Testing

We offer water testing & well inspections for drinking water & well water in the Central Florida and Orlando areas. The EPA suggests homes with well water should be tested annually for bacteria & chemical contamination.

If you are buying a home with a well, we recommend having a water quality sample collected. If you are using a FHA, VA or USDA loan, underwriting requirements necessitate a water quality sample to be collected and analyzed by an approved. We will send it in to a Certified Florida water testing laboratory for analysis. The results will typically be available within 2-3 business days, but could be quicker depending on the type of water analysis. The following test packages are performed on the water samples:

Nitrates/Bacteria (minimum EPA annual suggestion)
Nitrates, Total Coliform (bacteria) & E. Coli (bacteria)

FHA / VA / USDA Required Water Test
Nitrates, Nitrites, Total Coliform (bacteria), E. Coli (bacteria) & Lead

Additional Compounds and Chemicals*
Numerous categories of water testing available including Alkalinity, Arsenic, Iron, Sulfur, Turbidity, PH (acidity), Clarity, Chlorine, Color, Copper, Hardness (Calcium), Sodium and more!

Additional testing for specific chemicals, minerals, toxins, radon & pesticides are available. Please contact us today for information & pricing on other substances. FHA water testing requirements available.

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