Importance of Home Mold Inspections
To ensure a healthy living environment, it is essential to get home mold inspections done if you suspect a mold problem. Mold on walls, cabinets, ceilings, and furniture is a definite eyesore, but can also indicate a much bigger problem. Left untreated, trapped moisture hidden in remote areas of your home can lead to structural damage and safety concerns. Overexposure to toxic mold can be the cause of serious respiratory health issues or loss of brain function and can be avoided with professional home mold inspections.
What Are The Signs Of Having Mold In Your Home?
Mold typically has a fuzzy or slimy texture, with green or brown discoloration. However, a mold’s strong, musty scent is often the first indicator of its presence. In the home, mold growth is most common when there is a significant amount of trapped moisture. To catch mold growth in its earliest stages, it is important to check for water stains in hidden places such as underneath carpets, or behind frequently-used appliances and utilities. Mold is most often found in bathroom tiles, in cracks around windows, behind the refrigerator, and around the air conditioner unit. To know for sure if mold is in your home, schedule a residential mold inspection.
When To Schedule A Home Mold Inspection
There are several situations when it’s especially important to schedule a residential mold inspection.
- Buying a New Home: Before making an offer to purchase a new home, it is important to schedule a residential mold inspection, to ensure that there isn’t hidden mold growth that sellers are unaware of. Proper mold testing from a professional can help you ensure that the new home is worth your investment. If mold growth is left undetected, it can cause problems for you down the road in terms of your family’s health and the structural integrity of your home.
- After Water Damage of any kind: Mold growth is typically found around water stains and trapped moisture, so it is important to test for mold after water damage. Water damage could occur from a pipe leakage, or from heavy rainfall. It’s best to check your attic, basement, and windows for early signs of mold; these are common locations with excess moisture.
- When unexplained respiratory symptoms arise: If you or a loved one is experiencing unexplained health concerns such as respiratory problems, chronic fatigue, or heightened allergy symptoms, it may be from undetected mold growth in the home. A residential mold inspection will identify the presence of mold in the home, the type of mold, and the best solution to eradicate it.
- After mold remediation in the home: Even if it seems that all signs of mold have vanished, it is important to do one final inspection after the mold remediation process, to ensure that all mold has been removed on a microscopic level.
Even if you haven’t found visible proof of mold growth or detected a musty scent, there are other signs that it may be present in your home:
- Excess condensation on windows
- Questionable stains on walls or ceilings
- Peeling or bubbling wallpaper
- Unexplainable allergic reactions, such as sneezing or watery eyes
- Breathing problems, including wheezing or shortness of breath
- Unusual fatigue or persistent tiredness
- Skin rashes or irritation
If you notice any of these signs, it may indicate mold growth in your home. Schedule a residential mold inspection to know for sure.
How Does A Mold Inspection Work?
Depending on your situation, there are different types of home mold inspection that can be done. Professional mold testing can include non-viable sampling to identify the presence of mold without differentiating between live and dead spores. Viable sampling can detect the mold species but has a longer turnaround time.
The most common type of testing for home mold inspections is air testing to detect mold presence, type and concentration of mold spores. Surface sampling collects cultures that are on the walls and floors, etc. to identify the type of mold and extent of growth. Bulk sampling is the most invasive type of mold testing and involves taking pieces of materials for analysis to identify the type of mold and how far it has spread. Culture testing is the process of growing the mold sample in a laboratory to determine the growth rate and what specific type it is.
The latest in-home technology uses DNA testing to analyze the mold spores specific DNA signature and characteristics. Unfortunately, DIY testing kits can miss hidden or sub-surface mold concentrations, which is why it’s important to hire a home mold inspections professional who has the equipment and experience testing hidden mold properly.
What To Expect During Home Mold Inspection
A home mold inspection involves several key steps to identify and address potential mold issues. It’s a process designed to give homeowners a clear understanding of the situation and the best course of action. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:
- Initial Consultation: The mold inspector will begin by discussing your concerns. This is your opportunity to explain any visible mold you’ve noticed, describe any past water damage your home has sustained, and point out areas you suspect might be prone to mold growth. Sharing this information is crucial for a thorough inspection.
- Visual Inspection and Testing: Next, the inspector will conduct a visual inspection of your home, looking for signs of mold growth. They will also perform various tests in areas where mold is suspected. This may involve using specialized equipment to detect hidden moisture or mold.
- Sample Collection: Depending on the situation, the inspector may collect different types of samples for analysis. These can include air samples, surface samples, or “bulk samples.”
- Laboratory Analysis: All collected samples are then sent to a certified laboratory. Technicians at the lab will analyze the samples to identify the types of mold present and quantify the amount of mold growth.
- Results and Interpretation: Once the lab results are available, the mold technicians will provide you with a detailed report explaining their findings. They will interpret the results for you, explaining what types of mold were found and what that means for your home.
- Remediation Recommendations (if necessary): If mold is discovered, the inspector will provide specific recommendations for complete mold remediation. This will outline the steps needed to safely and effectively remove the mold and prevent its return. They may also recommend further testing after remediation to ensure its success.
Who To Call For Mold Inspection?
Identifying mold is not always easy – contact the professionals at MSR Restoration for an expert residential mold inspection. If you suspect you have a problem, MSR Restoration will visit your home to provide a free evaluation. From inspections, to mold remediation, MSR Restoration is your complete mold solution!
