What should the interpretation of mold inspection results be based on?

The interpretation of mold inspection results should fundamentally be based on visual examination data. This is because visual assessments provide the most direct evidence of mold presence, its type, extent, and the conditions that may be promoting mold growth. Inspectors look for visible signs of mold, moisture intrusion, water-damaged materials, and other environmental conditions that could encourage mold development. Such data is vital for forming an objective and accurate assessment, which is essential in determining the appropriate remediation strategy.

While general guidelines, personal judgments, and prior experiences can inform an inspector's approach and methodology, they may introduce biases or uncertainties that affect the accuracy of the conclusion. General guidelines can provide a framework, but they do not substitute for the concrete evidence gathered during visual examination. Personal judgments can vary widely based on individual perspectives and might not align with actual conditions observed during the inspection. Prior experiences, although valuable, are not definitive and might not apply to every unique scenario encountered in different properties. Thus, visual examination data remains the cornerstone for accurately interpreting mold inspection results.