Example Inspection Report Involving VOCs

Project Summary

Reason for inspection:

• Client has been reacting to something in his home. He has had some recent issues in the crawlspace and has recently upgraded his HVAC system. Client requested an inspection to determine what may be affecting him.

Summary of concerns:

• New HVAC flex ducting may be introducing VOC’s into the building envelope.
• Missing vapor barrier found under the spare and master bedrooms in crawlspace.
• Ventilation fans are present in bathrooms but they are noisy and inefficient at removing relative humidity from inside the room.
• Numerous ceiling penetrations found in the home in the form of solar tubes and recessed lighting. These areas will allow significant amounts of humidity into the attic space.
• Moderate amount of visible mold growth found in the north section of the attic.

Summary of recommendations:

• Recommend replacing flex duct return line with a solid wall ducting, seal with high flow duct sealant and insulate.
• Recommend air sealing all ceiling penetrations to limit humidity from entering attic space.
• Recommend installing a Panasonic Whisper Green® ventilation fan in each bathroom to assist in the removal of relative humidity from inside the home.
• Recommend installing additional vapor barrier over the areas of bare earth in the crawlspace.
• Recommend a two-stage chemical remediation treatment to the north attic space.

Observations

Property Description

• Single Family Residence, rambler.
• Approximately 1,600 sq ft built over crawlspace.

Ventilation

Adequate Ventilation Not Present

• Recommended ventilation of residential homes should be between 0.35 and 0.7 air changes per hour (ACH).

Desired Ventilation Rate: 0.4 ACH (Air Changes per Hour)

Square Footage: 1600 sq/ft
Average Ceiling Height: 9 ft X
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Required Ventilation: 96.00 continuous cfm

Recommendations:

• Recommend installing a Panasonic Whisper Green® ventilation fan in each bathroom to assist in the removal of relative humidity from inside the home.
• Client may also wish to install a cold air intake for the furnace. This will allow for the introduction of fresh air into the home.

HVAC & Filtration:

Abnormal Conditions Found!

• Recent furnace upgrades have been made. Client had a new, high efficiency furnace installed with an insulated flex duct cold air return.
• The cold air intake duct was disconnected in the attic at the time of inspection. This was recently done by the client in an attempt to determine what was affecting the indoor air quality of his home.
• It appears that the new HVAC flex duct may be introducing some VOC’s into the home. It is suspected that the influx of these VOC’s may be triggering a sensitivity to chemicals.
• Ducting in the crawlspace appears to be insulated but unsealed. This can allow conditioned air to enter the crawlspace and may be a source for heat loss and a decrease in energy efficiency.

Recommendations:

• Recommend replacing flex duct return line with a solid wall ducting, seal with high flow duct sealant and insulate.
• Recommend having all ducting properly secured and sealed with high flow duct sealant at all joints.

Location: Crawlspace.

Summary: Abnormal Conditions Found!

Observations:

• Missing vapor barrier found on North end of crawlspace. This was removed by client previously to clean a spill and to install some additional drainage.
• Insulation and vapor barrier are in good condition throughout remainder of crawlspace.
• A french drain and a sump pump were found in the NE corner of the crawlspace. This all appeared to be in good condition with no areas of concern.

Recommendations:

• Recommend installing a new vapor barrier over the bare sections of earth along the north end of the crawlspace.

Location: Attic Space

Summary: Abnormal Conditions Found!

Observations:

• Missing insulation was found around recently installed recessed lighting. This can be a source of heat loss and a decrease in energy efficiency.
• No air sealing was noted around ceiling penetrations.
• Attic contains large penetrations in the form of solar tubes where humidity will enter into the attic space. These penetrations should be sealed with spray foam insulation to help prevent moisture from entering the attic space.
• Material on one solar tube (above hall bathroom) showed signs of tearing. This can allow excessive humidity to enter into the attic space.
• Mold growth was discovered in the north end of the attic space.
• During the recent re-roof of the home, several pieces of plywood had been pulled and replaced. These areas do not show any signs of mold growth at this point.
• Attic ridge venting is in the form of a ridge cap vent. Plywood gap at ridge may not be adequate to allow for ample amounts of humidity to escape.

Recommendations:

• Recommend replacing flex duct return line with a solid wall ducting, seal with high flow duct sealant and insulate.
• Recommend air sealing all ceiling penetrations to limit humidity from entering attic space.
• Recommend repairing all damaged solar ducting to prevent humidity and heat loss.
• Recommend performing a two stage remediation treatment to the north end of the attic space.

Laboratory Results

Individually, the following types of mold spores were identified in your samples.
*results shown in spores/m3

Species	Threshold	Sample 1 Master Bedroom
Alterneria:	310
Ascospores:	5400
Basidiospores:	20000
Botrytis:
Chaetomium:	120
Cladosporium:	5900
Epicoccum:	290
Nigrospora:	240
Penicillium/Aspergillus:	2600	53
Pithomyces:
Rusts:	290
Smuts, Periconia, Myxomycetes:	850
Stachybotrys:	460

Analysis of Your Results

• No Amplification: No fungi were measured at levels equal to or above the threshold, and do not indicate a site of probable mold amplification and growth. Please refer to the attached report for more detailed information.