Will a home inspection in Orleans find hidden mould?

A home inspection is a visual, non-invasive examination. Ontario.ca notes directly that an inspector may not find mould.

What an inspector can do is note visible signs during the walk-through on surfaces that are accessible. The federal Office of Consumer Affairs puts it plainly: "a home inspection report will be limited to describing conditions in the areas of the home that the inspector can see or has access to." If an area is blocked, locked, or finished over, it is outside the scope of the visit. The Office of Consumer Affairs also advises making sure the seller or agent makes all areas accessible before the inspection takes place.

If the inspector notes something that raises a concern, the follow-up is a separate step. Health Canada is clear that results from tests for the presence of fungi in air cannot be used to assess risks to the health of building occupants, and that no exposure limits for mould can be derived. What Health Canada does say is to control humidity and repair water damage. An inspector's observation that water has been getting in somewhere is useful information; it tells you where to look harder, not whether a health risk exists. For testing and remediation as a service, ottawaabatement.com covers that work.

A few things worth keeping in mind for your offer:

• RECO notes that waiving a home inspection condition is a significant risk a buyer needs to carefully consider.
• After the inspection, ontario.ca lists your options: ask the seller to make repairs, accept the condition, ask for a price adjustment, or not buy the home. Which of those makes sense is a question for your agent or lawyer.
• A home inspection is not a pass or fail test and does not come with a warranty on the home's condition.

If the visible evidence in the report points to water damage or moisture problems, the next practical step is to ask a qualified professional to test the specific area before you make a final decision, and to get that process started before your condition period runs out.