Introduction

Living a healthy life is everyone’s dream and you need to have a clean environment in your home and office in order to enjoy your quality life. Harmful substances exist everywhere that can badly affect your health and sometimes you’re not able to see them with your naked eyes or feel them with your senses. However, these harmful contaminants can join the party in the form of unwanted water and mold spores.

What is Mold?

Mold is a type of fungi that you can find anywhere and it comes in from the outdoors through things like windows, vents, doors, and HVAC systems. Later on, it joins the indoor party in the company of moisture. Mold usually reproduces by releasing spores and it’s a dangerous fungus that badly affects your health and house at the same time. The best thing is to conduct an inspection to identify and quantify the mold in your house. We’ve got you covered in this article on why and when mold inspection is necessary.

Places where Mold Grows Rapidly

A place with moisture and oxygen is an ideal location for mold growth. Some of these places include:

• Carpet
• Wood
• Bathroom
• Wet pipes
• Food

Mold Health Effects

Mold spores significantly affect people who have sensitive immune systems. The immune system considers the mold an invader and releases antibodies to fight it.

The following are the symptoms of mold allergy:

• Sneezing
• Eye-watering
• Coughing
• Nasal blockage
• Dry and rough skin
• Eye itching
• Skin irritation
• Sore throat

When Should I Have an Inspection Done?

People are not always aware when they allow something dangerous to grow in their house. Therefore, dealing with mold isn’t easy, as it requires a lasting solution to get rid of this harmful substance. Whenever you see mold in your home, immediately ask mold inspection services to undergo inspection. Don’t take risks, especially when you have children or people with respiratory problems. 

This inspection benefits you and your family in many ways. Further, it increases the value of your property when you conduct an inspection before selling your home. Of course, a buyer never shows interest in purchasing your property and changes the decision due to the presence of mold.

Signs of Mold

Mold grows in a place with a higher moisture and oxygen content. It grows behind walls and other hidden areas your eyes cannot see, in places where there is little to no airflow. There are several signs indicating mold growth and these signs include a musty or earthy odor, discolored patches on walls, or the presence of mold spores. 

Moreover, health problems like itchy eyes, runny nose, or skin allergies can also be a sign of mold in your home. In such a scenario, mold inspection becomes necessary to keep your health and property safe from excessive damage. With this inspection, you remove the root of the problem before it spreads.

Mold Inspection Services

Regular people know very little about mold, so they cannot determine the full danger of mold in their house. This is where professional mold inspectors are your saviors. With their vast knowledge and equipment, they thoroughly inspect your house. 

Their detailed inspection covers your entire house, helping you understand where and what type of mold is growing. They inspect and assess mold through both visuals and any alarming moisture levels in your homes. 

Places like basements and bathrooms are the ideal locations for mold to grow. This inspection provides the homeowner with a comprehensive understanding of the mold situation present in their home.

Inspection Cost

Mold testing cost depends on various factors. The first factor is whether you do it yourself or ask professionals. DIY mold testing kits are available that an individual can use for inspection. Professionals have the tools that make a difference! 

Another variable is your home size. The bigger the home, the higher the cost of professional inspection. The third variable is the extent of the mold problem. The best option is to ask for a professional mold assessment and use their mold removal services. They can identify the cause of mold and remove it before it dramatically affects your health.

Is Indoor Air Quality Testing Important?

Mold grows in damp locations; hence, the air in your house is also affected by mold. The air you breathe becomes more and more concentrated with mold spores as time goes on. This is why indoor air quality testing is essential. It assesses mold issues that can lead to health problems like allergies and respiratory issues. 

This testing includes air sampling and may include volatile organic compound (VOC) monitoring. With this, you can identify the type of mold growing in your home and the harmful gases it emits. Additionally, this testing gives you a comprehensive understanding of mold that you can’t ignore at all.

Mold Detection Methods

Professional or not, people can use various mold detection methods to find molds. Following are a few methods that help in identifying mold growth. 

Visual Observation

Look for places with discoloration or fuzzy patches.

Moisture Mapping

Areas with excessive moisture are ideal places for mold to grow. This method helps you identify potential areas for mold growth in your home.

Thermal Imaging

This method uses infrared technology to detect temperature variations. Using this technology, you can find mold in hidden places, like behind the walls. These methods are easy for everyone to use and help identify areas where mold is present.

Mold Prevention Tips

Prevention is the key to a good life, whether it’s a health problem or a house problem. As long as you stop something from happening, everything looks good. Following are some of the mold prevention tips that can keep your house safe:

Moisture control

Mold grows in areas with moisture. However, ventilation also causes it, but proper ventilation in areas prone to moisture can prevent mold appearance to some extent. Kitchens and bathrooms are the places with high moisture areas that need a proper check and examination. If you control mold in these two places, you may be able to keep your home clear of mold.

Water Leaks

A place where water drips regularly is a common place for mold to grow. Looking at this problem, make sure you fix any leaky pipes, roof, siding, foundation, etc.

Dehumidifiers

Use dehumidifiers to reduce moisture in humid areas. This keeps the area safe from any mold growth.

Conclusion

If you want your family to live in a healthy and safe environment, then mold testing is crucial. If you find any signs of mold in your home, you have to remove it before it spreads immediately to cause health issues. Rather than doing it yourself, ask for professional mold inspection services that come with knowledge, tools, and experience. Just take the necessary measures to prevent the mold from spreading and keep your family healthy and happy.

FAQ’s

Do I need an inspection/testing?

If you think your house may have a mold but you can’t see it anywhere, then have it inspected immediately. If the mold grows, it affects the home and your family’s health. So prevent it before it does any damage.

When Should You Test for Mold?

Perform mold testing for visible growth, a musty smell, or water damage in the home. Contact a professional if you come in contact with any of these symptoms. They will assess the situation and provide the best solution.

Why Is Mold Testing Important?

There are many types of mold, many of which are dangerous to humans. You can identify mold growing in your home through mold testing. After this, you can remove it and take action to stop any regrowth of the mold.

What Happens During a Mold Test?

During a mold test, swab, tape, and/or air samples are taken and sent to a laboratory for analysis. The analysis identifies the type of mold growing and the level of contamination it can cause in your home.