Should You Schedule A Mold Inspection Or A Mold Test?

29 June 2022
 Categories: Home & Garden, Blog


Discovering mold in your home is problematic for many reasons. Mold can impact a person's health by causing allergies and respiratory problems, and some molds are even toxic. The presence of mold also indicates moisture in the house, and water damage can lead to rot and other structural problems that will only become more expensive the longer they go unnoticed. When it comes to finding mold, there are two strategies -- an inspection or testing. Know the difference between these so you can choose what is best for your situation.

Inspection

A visual inspection checks the most likely mold locations for signs of problems. Since an inspection is done visually, only accessible areas are typically checked. This includes traditionally damp rooms, such as basements, bathrooms, and kitchens, along with other likely areas such as in the attic and around window frames. 

In some cases, your inspector may recommend opening up a wall or lifting up flooring for a closer look. This is often either because there are signs that there was water damage in the past, such as a stain on the drywall, or due to an area being a commonly known risk for mold growth. Certain steps are taken to keep these types of inspections as minimally damaged as possible. For example, your inspector will only drill a small hole in the wall and then insert a tiny camera for a better view. 

Testing

Mold testing is sometimes done in lieu of a visual inspection, or it may be done in conjunction with an inspection. In some cases, your mold remediation service may recommend performing a test after remediation to ensure there are no more spores in the home. Testing is often recommended after a flood, when purchasing a new home, or if there have been health issues in the home that could be related to the presence of mold.

Testing requires taking air quality samples from throughout the home in order to check for the presence of mold spores. Your testing service may also take surface samples in areas that are mold-prone or where past remediation efforts took place. Although it's normal for there to be some mold spores in the air, if the sample is over a certain minimum then a thorough visual inspection along with remediation steps will be required. 

Don't delay contacting a mold testing and remediation service if you suspect mold growth in the home. The safety of your home and the health of your family may be at risk. Reach out to a local service, such as Advanced Mold Professionals, to learn more.


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