Does a Home Inspector Check for Mold?

No, at least not in Texas.

“Mold” is a bit of a bad-word in the inspections industry; I specifically forbid myself from using it when advising with clients and instead prefer the much less scary “organic-substances” phrase. In Texas, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) controls the licensing of anyone who inspects for, tests for, provides consulting for, or remediates mold. In order to get licensed to do any of the above, you have to have a 4-year degree in the field of biological sciences or be able to prove that you’ve been working under someone with a license for at least 5 years, so there simply aren’t many people even qualified to inspect for mold in the first place.

Part of the reason for this is that mold spores are everywhere, and not all mold is necessarily dangerous to people. Anyplace there is a substrate to grow on and water present, as well as the absence of sunlight, mold will grow. It takes a great deal of education and training to be able to inspect, identify, sample, and test molds.

Whenever we come across the presence of “organic substances” during the course of a home inspection, often in cabinets under sinks due to leaking sink drain, we will document its presence and refer our clients to seek further evaluation from a licensed professional.