Yesterday there were headlines regarding Kourtney Kardashian complaining about buying into a mold problem with their new home purchase. The article states that Kourtney and her Partner Scott Disick purchased a home from former NFL star Keyshawn Johnson and that the after the sale of the house their decorator allegedly found mold in the home. The report further states that the mold was hidden by a coat of paint. Suggesting that Keyshawn Johnson deliberately covered up the mold to prevent any one from noticing prior to purchase. According to TMZ and the author of the article, Daniel S Levine, Johnson is crying foul, claiming that he never painted a wall in the house during his two-plus years of owning it. He says that his children slept in the room where the mold was found and he would never knowingly let his kids sleep near dangerous mold. In addition, Johnson says that the mold likely grew after the sale was closed, when a bathroom pipe began to leak. Sources told TMZ that Johnson has grown annoyed with the Kardashians, since they keep calling him about the problem.
Johnson gave TMZ a statement through his lawyer, in which he again reiterates that there was no water damage in the house when he sold it. “Prior to sale, the house was thoroughly inspected by excellent, experienced inspectors that they hired. I don’t know what has transpired since they moved into the house but I wish them well,” the statement concluded.
So who’s right? Kardashian or Johnson? Well, the reality is potentially both! It is probable that the mold was painted over. It is also probable that if there was a pipe leak, mold could have colonized. According to the article Johnson states that the home was thoroughly inspected by excellent, experienced inspectors that they hired. The main question I have is were any of these excellent inspectors, Certified Environmental mold experts? It is my experience that many home buyers fail to employ an environmental mold expert into the inspection process. In a recent blog I wrote, I discussed the importance of hiring experts such as home inspectors. I also commented on the importance of not falling into the trap that the home inspector no matter how good or excellent they may be, are most of the time, not Certified Environmental Mold experts. Relying on a home inspector to assess your home for mold is liken to going to your Dentist to have your eyes checked. Environmental mold issues in the home area NOT their core competence.
The best defense against this type of situation is to employee a Certified Environmental Consultant who is an expert in mold inspections. At Certified Mold Inspections, Inc you can feel comfortable knowing that we have the experience to assist you in identifying potential problems in the home you may be looking to buy. Certified Mold Inspections, Inc employs a wealth of tools and technology to identify past or present water intrusion and suspect mold growth. Certified Mold Inspections, Inc. can assist by conducting, where accessible, an evaluation of both the interior and exterior of the property using state of the art equipment. In addition to following the most current generally acceptable testing methodologies to detect if the property currently has an unusual mold condition. The specialists at Certified Mold Inspections, Inc can help by inspecting & testing your indoor environment with a variety of high tech equipment. Equipment such as Infra-red imaging which is a non-evasive device used to scan around ceilings, walls, windows & doors looking for potentially hidden moisture that ordinarily with the naked eye and feel of the touch you may not detect. At Certified Mold Inspections, Inc our mission is customer satisfaction. All test samples are sent to an accredited lab for analysis. Once the results are reported by the lab, we take the time to explain in detail the results of the samples collected. A detail report with observations and considerations for next steps are available with every inspection and testing project. We develop a sampling / test strategy to either validate or dismiss the presence of an unusual mold condition and if detected create a detail scope of work that includes industry expert consensus standard of care remediation protocols. A great document to ensure the sellers are performing proper remediation in the impacted areas of the home.
If you are in the process of purchasing a home and want to protect your family and your investment, consider a mold inspection from Certified Mold Inspections, Inc. Certified Mold Inspections is dedicated to the inspection and testing for molds within your indoor environment. Whether it is a home, an office or a commercial property you can depend on Certified Mold Inspections.
All Inspections & Testing procedures are performed by trained & certified mold environmental specialists. Certified Mold Inspections, Inc is also proud members of the Indoor Air Quality Association, the Better Business Bureau of New Jersey & more.