Fillable checklist

Mold Inspection Checklist: Moisture Walk of a US House (Free Printable PDF)

Fillable visual mold and moisture walk for rooms, baths, basement or crawl, HVAC condensate, attic, and hidden clues. Print blank or save a filled PDF.

Inspections Fillable form · 8 sections · 52 checks Download filled or blank PDF and CSV Cross-checked against EPA, CDC, NIOSH, and IAC2 SOP · Last verified Sep 1, 2026

Snugage fillable checklist

Fill this on screen, then download a PDF or CSV. Download a blank copy to complete by hand. Answers stay in this tab only. The next visitor sees a blank form. This is a visual mold and moisture walk of a US house: rooms, baths, basement or crawl, HVAC condensate, attic, and hidden-moisture clues. It is not a lab clearance and not a licensed mold-assessor report. Do not record a spore-count Pass or Fail. Mark N/A on stations the house does not have.

  • 8 sections
  • 52 checks
  • Blank for each visitor

Form details

Property

This is a visual template, not a licensed mold-assessor report, not a lab clearance, and not a substitute for a home inspection. EPA and CDC do not set a federal indoor spore limit. Mold-assessor licensing, if any, is state or local.

9 fields
Property

Mark the whole basement or crawl station N/A if that space is not present. IAC2 inspects basement, crawl, and foundation only for moisture intrusion, not for structural defects.

EPA: dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours. Sewage or other contaminated water needs a professional who handles that work, not a homeowner wipe-down.

EPA: keep indoor humidity below 60 percent, ideally 30 to 50 percent. CDC: no higher than 50 percent all day. Record the reading. Those two targets are not one Pass/Fail pair.

Dry, raining, or recent heavy rain. Condensation after a cold night is not the same as a wet-day leak.

Inspection station

Rooms and living areas

Walk living rooms, bedrooms, halls, and closets. IAC2 interior: walls, ceilings, floors, doors, and windows for moisture, water damage, musty odors, apparent mold, or conditions that favor mold. Mark N/A on finishes the house does not have.

9 items
Rooms and living areas

No visible mold on walls, ceilings, or floors

CDC: mold can look like spots of many colors and can smell musty. Color does not rank danger. If you see or smell mold, plan to remove it and fix the moisture. Do not take a spore sample to decide OK or Defect.

No visible mold on walls, ceilings, or floors: OK, Defect, or N/A

No moisture stains, rings, or active wet spots

Look at ceilings under baths and at exterior-wall corners. A dry historic stain with no odor or softness can be noted. An active wet spot is a defect. EPA: dry wet areas within 24 to 48 hours.

No moisture stains, rings, or active wet spots: OK, Defect, or N/A

No musty or moldy odor in rooms walked

NIOSH: a thorough visual walk and musty odors are more reliable than short-term air samples. CDC does not recommend routine mold testing. There is no federal spore-count Pass/Fail.

No musty or moldy odor in rooms walked: OK, Defect, or N/A

Windows, sills, and nearby drywall dry

EPA: condensation on windows, walls, or pipes is a moisture signal. Dry the surface and reduce the source. Repeated wet sills or peeling paint at the jamb is a defect.

Windows, sills, and nearby drywall dry: OK, Defect, or N/A

Carpet and pad not damp or musty

EPA: mold can fill carpet and pad, so a soaked carpet may have to be discarded. CDC: remove carpet that was soaked and cannot be dried right away. Do not pull every pad. Check edges, corners, and any known leak path.

Carpet and pad not damp or musty: OK, Defect, or N/A

Paint, wallpaper, or paneling not peeling or bubbling from moisture

EPA: do not paint or caulk over mold. Vinyl wallpaper and some paneling can trap moisture on the backside. Do not peel wallpaper on this walk. Peeling it can release a large pulse of spores.

Paint, wallpaper, or paneling not peeling or bubbling from moisture: OK, Defect, or N/A

Walls behind large furniture not damp or moldy

EPA hidden-mold list includes walls behind furniture where condensation forms. Slide a dresser or sofa a few inches if you can do it without damage. Mark N/A if furniture cannot be moved.

Walls behind large furniture not damp or moldy: OK, Defect, or N/A

Ceiling tiles not stained, sagging, or moldy

EPA: the top side of ceiling tiles is a hidden-mold site after a roof leak. A stained tile is a defect even if the room side looks only tan. Porous tiles often cannot be cleaned and may need replacement.

Ceiling tiles not stained, sagging, or moldy: OK, Defect, or N/A

Closets and stored goods on exterior walls not musty or damp

EPA shows closet mold from room-air condensation. Packed boxes against a cold wall hide wet drywall. Mark Defect if you smell must or see damp cardboard.

Closets and stored goods on exterior walls not musty or damp: OK, Defect, or N/A

Inspection station

Baths, kitchen, and laundry

These rooms make water on purpose. EPA: a little recurring shower film is common if you run a fan or open a window and clean often. Heavy growth, a fan that dumps into the attic, or a leak under a fixture is a defect. IAC2 inspects kitchen, bath, and laundry ventilation.

9 items
Baths, kitchen, and laundry

Shower, tub, tile, and grout: no heavy or spreading mold

EPA bathroom tip: always-damp spots are hard to keep fully mold-free. Cleaning plus ventilation usually keeps it small. Mark Defect for thick growth, soft wallboard, or mold that returns because the room cannot dry.

Shower, tub, tile, and grout: no heavy or spreading mold: OK, Defect, or N/A

Bathroom exhaust fan present and runs

CDC and EPA: run the bath fan or open a window when showering. IAC2 interior work includes bathroom ventilation. Mark Defect if there is no fan and no openable window, or the fan does not run.

Bathroom exhaust fan present and runs: OK, Defect, or N/A

Bathroom exhaust ducts to the outdoors, not the attic

A fan that ends in the attic dumps moisture onto cold sheathing. That is a common attic-mold source. Look at the attic end of the duct if you can reach it safely. Mark N/A if there is no fan.

Bathroom exhaust ducts to the outdoors, not the attic: OK, Defect, or N/A

Under-sink cabinets in baths and kitchen dry

EPA: fix plumbing leaks as soon as you can. Look at the cabinet floor, supply stops, trap, and the wall behind the sink. IAC2 inspects visible supply and drain lines for moisture, not for a full plumbing test.

Under-sink cabinets in baths and kitchen dry: OK, Defect, or N/A

Toilet base, supply, and nearby floor dry

A slow wax-ring seep wets the subfloor and pad with little splash. Soft vinyl, stained grout, or a musty smell at the base is a defect. Do not flood-test the bowl.

Toilet base, supply, and nearby floor dry: OK, Defect, or N/A

Kitchen exhaust or an open window used when cooking

EPA: use exhaust fans or open windows when cooking or running a dishwasher. CDC: kitchen fans should vent outdoors. Mark Defect if a recirculating hood is the only vent and the room stays wet or musty. Note the hood type.

Kitchen exhaust or an open window used when cooking: OK, Defect, or N/A

Clothes dryer vents to the outdoors

CDC and EPA: vent dryers outdoors. A dryer that dumps into a garage, crawl, or room raises humidity. Mark N/A if there is no dryer.

Clothes dryer vents to the outdoors: OK, Defect, or N/A

No soaked carpet in bathrooms or other wet rooms

CDC: do not use carpet in bathrooms or basements that stay wet. EPA: soaked carpet and pad may have to be thrown away. Mark N/A if those rooms have no carpet.

No soaked carpet in bathrooms or other wet rooms: OK, Defect, or N/A

Washer, dishwasher, and ice-maker lines not leaking onto floors or pads

Look at supply hoses, pans, and the floor edge. Standing water here is the same 24 to 48 hour clock as any other indoor spill. Mark N/A if an appliance is not present.

Washer, dishwasher, and ice-maker lines not leaking onto floors or pads: OK, Defect, or N/A

Inspection station

Basement and crawl space

This station is moisture and mold only. Do not score foundation cracks, bowing, or anchors here. IAC2: inspect the basement or crawl for moisture intrusion and is not required to inspect structural defects that are not related to mold. Mark the whole station N/A on a slab-only house.

9 items
Basement and crawl space

Basement or crawl viewed or entered if it is safe to do so

IAC2 does not require entry when a crawl or attic looks unsafe, and does not require moving stored items. Record viewed-from-opening if you stay out. Mark N/A if there is no under-floor space.

Basement or crawl viewed or entered if it is safe to do so: OK, Defect, or N/A

No standing water on the floor, slab, or crawl soil

EPA: do not let foundations stay wet. Provide drainage and slope the ground away. A puddle, wet soil, or a silt line is a defect. This is not a grade-percentage measurement.

No standing water on the floor, slab, or crawl soil: OK, Defect, or N/A

Walls, rim joists, and the slab edge not actively seeping

Look at corners, the cove, and window openings. IAC2 inspects the basement or crawl for moisture intrusion. A dry historic stain can be noted. Current wet masonry or a wet wood rim is a defect.

Walls, rim joists, and the slab edge not actively seeping: OK, Defect, or N/A

No visible mold on walls, joists, or stored goods

EPA shows suitcase and stored-item mold in humid basements. Cardboard and fabric on a damp floor are common. Color does not change the call. If you see mold, it is a defect.

No visible mold on walls, joists, or stored goods: OK, Defect, or N/A

No strong musty odor in the basement or crawl

A musty under-floor smell that is stronger than the living floor is a defect even when you cannot yet see the colony. NIOSH treats odor as a reliable dampness clue.

No strong musty odor in the basement or crawl: OK, Defect, or N/A

Insulation not wet, compressed, or fallen from moisture

IAC2 inspects insulation and is not required to move it. Look at what you can see from the opening or path. Wet batts against a rim joist or a wet crawl wrap are a defect.

Insulation not wet, compressed, or fallen from moisture: OK, Defect, or N/A

Dirt-floor crawl: soil cover present and not ponding on top

A bare wet dirt floor keeps the joists in a moist air mass. Mark Defect if the soil is wet and uncovered. Mark N/A on a concrete floor or if there is no crawl. This is not a foundation-vent or pier check.

Dirt-floor crawl: soil cover present and not ponding on top: OK, Defect, or N/A

Sump pit if present: not holding moldy standing water

A pit that never pumps can be a mold reservoir. IAC2 is not required to operate a sump with an inaccessible float. Mark N/A if there is no pit. Do not treat a working sump as a structural pass.

Sump pit if present: not holding moldy standing water: OK, Defect, or N/A

Stored paper, fabric, and wood not sitting on a damp floor

EPA: mold grows on paper, cardboard, wood, and fabric. Lift a box corner if you can. Mark N/A if the space is empty.

Stored paper, fabric, and wood not sitting on a damp floor: OK, Defect, or N/A

Inspection station

HVAC condensate and air handler

EPA: keep air-conditioning drip pans clean and drain lines open. Do not run the system if you know or suspect it is contaminated with mold. IAC2 inspects the air handler, filter, condensate pump, visible ducts, a sample of registers, the central humidifier, and the outdoor unit. IAC2 is not required to open a hidden coil or pan, test efficiency, or inspect the inside of ducts.

9 items
HVAC condensate and air handler

Accessible condensate drip pan clean and not holding standing water

EPA: standing water or debris in the pan needs immediate attention. IAC2 is not required to inspect a pan that is not readily accessible. Mark N/A if you cannot see the pan without dismantling the unit.

Accessible condensate drip pan clean and not holding standing water: OK, Defect, or N/A

Condensate drain line unobstructed and able to flow

EPA Brief Guide and the remediation prevention chapter both say keep drain lines unobstructed. An algae plug that overflows into the closet or attic is a common hidden leak. Mark Defect if the outlet is dry while the unit has been cooling and the pan is wet.

Condensate drain line unobstructed and able to flow: OK, Defect, or N/A

Condensate pump if present: not overflowing or growing mold

IAC2 requires inspecting the condensate pump when one is installed. Look for a wet closet, a tripped float, or slime in the reservoir. Mark N/A if the coil drains by gravity only.

Condensate pump if present: not overflowing or growing mold: OK, Defect, or N/A

Air filter dry, seated, and not moldy

EPA mold course: keep filters dry and change them often. A wet or moldy filter is a defect. Ordinary household dust on a dry filter is not, by itself, a mold defect.

Air filter dry, seated, and not moldy: OK, Defect, or N/A

No visible mold on the accessible air handler, fan, or housing

EPA: mold near the intake or on the air handler is a reason to treat the HVAC as a moisture problem. Do not tear the cabinet apart. Look through the filter slot and at the blower if the door opens with ordinary latches.

No visible mold on the accessible air handler, fan, or housing: OK, Defect, or N/A

Sample of supply and return registers: no mold on the grille or nearby ceiling

IAC2: inspect a representative number of registers. EPA: dusty return grilles are normal and can be vacuumed. Mold on the grille, the boot, or the ceiling around a supply is a defect. Do not invent a dust-thickness Pass/Fail.

Sample of supply and return registers: no mold on the grille or nearby ceiling: OK, Defect, or N/A

Readily visible ductwork dry; wrap or liner not wet or moldy

EPA: if duct insulation is wet or moldy it cannot be cleaned well and should be removed and replaced. Moisture should not be in ducts. IAC2 is not required to inspect the interior of the duct system. Mark N/A if no ducts are visible.

Readily visible ductwork dry; wrap or liner not wet or moldy: OK, Defect, or N/A

Central humidifier if present: not leaking or growing mold

IAC2 inspects the central humidifier. EPA: humidifiers and their filters can spread spores if they stay wet. Setpoints that push indoor air above about 60 percent RH favor condensation. Mark N/A if there is no humidifier.

Central humidifier if present: not leaking or growing mold: OK, Defect, or N/A

System left off if mold is known or strongly suspected in the HVAC

EPA: do not run the HVAC if you know or suspect mold contamination. It can move spores through the house. Mark N/A if you have no reason to suspect the system. This is not a call to clean ducts on a schedule. EPA does not recommend routine duct cleaning.

System left off if mold is known or strongly suspected in the HVAC: OK, Defect, or N/A

Inspection station

Attic

IAC2 inspects attic insulation, ventilation, framing, and sheathing. It is not required to move insulation, enter an unsafe attic, or inspect vapor retarders. Look from the hatch if you cannot walk. Mark the whole station N/A if there is no attic.

8 items
Attic

Attic entered or viewed from the hatch if it is safe

Do not walk on joists you cannot see. Do not break the weather seal on a foam hatch just to peek. Record viewed-from-hatch if you stay on the ladder.

Attic entered or viewed from the hatch if it is safe: OK, Defect, or N/A

Roof sheathing and framing: no active wet stains or visible mold

CDC: roof leaks are a common indoor mold source. Look at the underside of the deck, especially at valleys, chimneys, and plumbing vents. A dry historic stain can be noted. Wet wood or visible mold is a defect.

Roof sheathing and framing: no active wet stains or visible mold: OK, Defect, or N/A

Attic insulation not wet, stained, or compressed from leaks

IAC2 is not required to move insulation. Dark, matted, or sagging batts under a stain are a defect. Do not invent an R-value Pass/Fail on this form.

Attic insulation not wet, stained, or compressed from leaks: OK, Defect, or N/A

Bath or kitchen exhaust does not terminate in the attic

A flexible duct that ends under the insulation is a frequent attic-mold cause. Trace the duct from the fan if you can see it. Mark N/A if those fans wall-vent or if you cannot find the duct.

Bath or kitchen exhaust does not terminate in the attic: OK, Defect, or N/A

Plumbing vents, fans, and skylight wells dry at the roof deck

IAC2 roof items include vents, flashings, and skylights from the ground or eaves. From the attic, look for wet sheathing around those holes. Mark N/A if the deck is not visible.

Plumbing vents, fans, and skylight wells dry at the roof deck: OK, Defect, or N/A

No condensation or rust on nails, truss plates, or ducts in the attic

EPA: insulate cold pipes and raise surface temperature or lower humidity to stop condensation. Sweating ducts or rusty nails under the deck point to moist attic air, not always a roof hole.

No condensation or rust on nails, truss plates, or ducts in the attic: OK, Defect, or N/A

Soffit or roof vents not fully buried by insulation or stored goods

Blocked intake vents can trap moist air. IAC2 inspects that ventilation openings exist and are not buried. It does not require a vent-area calculation. Mark Defect only when vents you can see are covered or missing. Mark N/A on an unvented, conditioned attic if that is the design.

Soffit or roof vents not fully buried by insulation or stored goods: OK, Defect, or N/A

Living-area ceiling under the attic free of new leak stains

EPA hidden-mold list includes roof materials above ceiling tiles. A stain on the room ceiling is the downstairs clue. Recheck the attic above that room.

Living-area ceiling under the attic free of new leak stains: OK, Defect, or N/A

Inspection station

Hidden-moisture clues

EPA: suspect hidden mold if the house smells moldy but you cannot see the source, or if you know there was water damage and occupants report health problems. Do not open walls on this walk. Wallpaper removal can release a large pulse of spores. Hire an experienced person if you need a destructive check.

8 items
Hidden-moisture clues

No musty odor that you cannot trace to a visible source

EPA and NIOSH treat an unexplained musty smell as a reason to look harder, not as a spore-count trigger. Mark Defect if the odor is clear and the source is still hidden. Write where it is strongest.

No musty odor that you cannot trace to a visible source: OK, Defect, or N/A

Known past leak or flood areas are dry now

EPA investigation questions: have materials been wet more than 48 hours, and are there existing moisture problems. Recheck the room that flooded or the wall that leaked. Mark N/A if no past event is known.

Known past leak or flood areas are dry now: OK, Defect, or N/A

Drywall not soft, crumbling, or stained in a way that suggests a wet backside

EPA: the back of drywall is a hidden-mold site. Press lightly near baseboards under a stain. Do not cut openings. Soft board plus a stain or odor is a defect.

Drywall not soft, crumbling, or stained in a way that suggests a wet backside: OK, Defect, or N/A

Wallpaper, vinyl, or paneling not bulging from trapped moisture

EPA: vinyl wallpaper and some paneling can act as a vapor barrier and grow mold on the hidden face. Do not peel it to confirm. Bulging, staining, or a musty smell at the covering is enough to mark Defect.

Wallpaper, vinyl, or paneling not bulging from trapped moisture: OK, Defect, or N/A

Carpet edges and transitions not damp on the underside

EPA lists the underside of carpets and pads as a hidden-mold site. Lift a corner at a known wet room or exterior door if the edge is loose. Do not pull stretched carpet off the tack strip.

Carpet edges and transitions not damp on the underside: OK, Defect, or N/A

Visible sweating or leaking pipes in cabinets and unfinished walls

EPA hidden list: areas inside walls around leaking or condensing pipes. You will not see inside a finished chase. Use rust, drip marks, and wet insulation on pipes you can see. EPA: cover cold water pipes with insulation.

Visible sweating or leaking pipes in cabinets and unfinished walls: OK, Defect, or N/A

Gutters and nearby soil not holding water against the house

EPA moisture-control tips: clean gutters and keep the ground from collecting water at the foundation. This is a water-source clue for indoor mold, not a foundation-crack or slope-percentage inspection. Mark Defect if water sits at the wall or a downspout dumps at the backfill.

Gutters and nearby soil not holding water against the house: OK, Defect, or N/A

Hidden sites left closed unless a professional is opening them

EPA: investigating hidden mold needs caution. Minimum PPE if you disturb mold is an N-95 respirator, gloves, and eye protection. This line is OK when you did not open walls or peel paper. Mark Defect only if someone already opened a cavity unsafely during this walk.

Hidden sites left closed unless a professional is opening them: OK, Defect, or N/A

Form details

Findings and sign-off

List every Defect line here. This worksheet is not a licensed mold-assessor report, not a lab clearance, and not a home-inspection report. EPA about 10 square feet is cleanup-size guidance, not a Pass/Fail for this walk.

5 fields
Findings and sign-off

Draw your signature, or upload an image to replace it.

Draw your signature, or upload an image to replace it.

Done with this walkaround?

Download a filled or blank PDF, or a CSV. Answers stay in this tab. The next visitor sees a blank form.

References

  1. A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home - US EPA
  2. Mold basics, prevention, cleaning, and testing - CDC
  3. Mold testing and remediation, visual inspection over air sampling - CDC NIOSH
  4. Mold prevention: humidity, drip pans, dry within 48 hours - US EPA
  5. Investigating hidden mold and HVAC contamination - US EPA
  6. Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? - US EPA
  7. Mold Inspection Standards of Practice - IAC2

Printable checklist PDF and image

Blank printable PDF and a preview image of this checklist.

Mold Inspection Checklist: Moisture Walk of a US House blank checklist
Blank checklist PDF Download PDF
Mold Inspection Checklist: Moisture Walk of a US House blank checklist
Checklist image Download image

These checklists are provided for general reference only. Always verify the steps against local codes, a licensed inspector or a qualified contractor before relying on them, especially for safety-critical work.