Mold can take its time to thrive unseen, and most property owners fail to identify mold growth before it’s too late. Being a vigilant property owner, you need to understand the importance of carrying out mold inspections and spot checks regularly. A mold inspection is usually done once a year, but we recommend inspecting for mold growth at least twice a year, especially if you live in varying climatic conditions.

This article features some pointers on the importance of mold inspection and testing.

Inspection for mold growth

While spot-checking for mold growth, you can always go a step further to check for water damage as well, as water damage is the prime culprit that can set the stage for mold growth. Following are the most common signs of mold growth:

You are sick and never better: Even though you are exposed to mold spores daily, constant exposure, significantly while indoors, can trigger alarming health problems.

Allergic reactions to mold can be nasal congestion, constant coughing, and watery eyes.

Bubbly walls: Mold infestation can lead to bubble formation on painted walls. The most likely areas to bubble up are the areas with more moisture. If you suspect mold infestation, examine your bathroom or basement walls and areas close to the windows.

Musty smell: That strange and unpleasant odor is a total giveaway of mold infestation. Severe the smell, extreme is the mold growth. Always look for a musty and moldy odor, especially close to any damp area within the household.

Rust: Rust is another sign that can indicate excessive moisture in your house. What is the other consequence of having excessive humidity indoors? Yes, you guessed it right; it creates the perfect condition for mold growth.

Property owners need to understand that they may not notice the presence or signs of mold during the early stages of mold growth. The contamination process starts when mold spores get inside the building and grow in places with more moisture and warmth. Once you notice signs of a possible problem, call for an inspection to determine if exposure has caused any health issues at all or if urgent action is required as preventive measures.

Mold testing

Following are some standard mold testing techniques used by most mold inspection specialists as part of the remediation process.

Rapid Sampling With General Mold Testing: This testing is based on the inspection of a few rooms and should be done to identify any potential problems. The general mold testing also provides information regarding indoor air quality, which may need specific action by affected homeowners.

This process will not provide noticeable results; however, the results will provide a deeper understanding of whether to order further testing depending on your investigation objectives.

Dry Air Sampling: Dry air sampling is another type of inspection process that can yield important information about contamination in general and lead to better remediation decisions. It consists of collecting the sample, including a tester, protective equipment, and environmental suit as per the specification of the testing facility. Also, test results can provide an in-depth awareness of indoor air contamination in specific areas.

HVAC Testing: Heat Ventilation Analysis or HVA Testing is an example of general mold testing which can be conducted and provides additional information concerning indoor air samples contamination.

HVA is performed to identify the location of building damage, thus facilitating remediation work at different stages of mold growth. It also involves gathering detailed data regarding humidity in rooms, industrial ventilation systems, ducts, crawlspaces, and several other essential factors.

Fogger Test: This testing can tell you how much moisture is present in the spaces inspected by your consultant to determine if this may be due to mold or some other source. The fogger test consists of placing an empty container on the surface of a room to be tested and detecting mold spores with special vacuums.

Even if you are vigilant, you cannot always prevent mold growth, and if the unthinkable happens, you need to seek the help of a mold removal specialist. However, if you have overlooked the severity of mold infestation or have failed to inspect for mold regularly, you might face more significant problems.

Allowing mold to thrive can lead to situations where you might have to get rid of belongings in your house that were damaged beyond repair, and this is where you need the help of a mold repair contractor.

Mold inspection and testing are essential steps in the restoration process. Without proper mold inspection, you could be in for some big problems, and you must have a professional team that can assist you with this issue. A mold inspection is done to determine the extent of damage caused by the mold and determine what type of remediation will be required to remove it from your home.