Why Mold Testing is Important For Indoor Air Quality
Mold testing in your home is an important process to be aware of if you are concerned about mold allergies or asthma. Mold can grow on just about any surface within your home. Mold can be found on walls, floors, ceilings, insulation, and any other place you might find moisture.
Mold in Our Environment
If you have mold, and sometimes called mold, and not sure what it is, it’s a natural component of our environment. Mold is actually a living organism that exists in nature and plays a very important role in nature by breaking-down dead organic material including fallen trees and dead leaves; inside, mold growth can be avoided by keeping moisture out of the house. In your home, any place that gets too much moisture gets a mold problem, whether it’s leaking plumbing or poorly insulated walls, mold is always a concern. If you suspect a mold problem, it’s a good idea to call in a professional mold inspection service to test for mold and get rid of the issue. There are many different kinds of mold and some forms pose the most serious health threat.
Structural & Electrical Ventilation
Many people are not sure what they should do when they suspect a mold problem, but mold inspections and mold removal professionals come prepared. Most mold inspections will begin with a visual inspection of any visible mold and then more thorough testing may be necessary. Some common tests performed by a qualified mold inspector include looking at structural and electrical ventilation, determining the presence of asbestos and finding out if you have a contaminated air duct system. Once the mold inspectors have done their inspections, they provide a detailed report to help you get rid of the problem with a mold abatement crew.
Visual vs Invisible Mold
The visual inspection alone is not enough to identify if you have a mold issue or not. In many cases, you have to perform more extensive testing to really know what the issue is which is why attempting to clean the mold on your own is rarely effective. Structural testing can determine if there is excess moisture due to water damage, leaks or any other issues that may be causing the visible mold. Electrical testing is done to see if the wiring of the building is contaminated and microbial testing can identify the type of mold it is.
The reason testing is often required is because molds can cause a lot of health problems. Indoor mold growth can actually result in severe respiratory illnesses and even death. Many times the molds are not easily visible to the naked eye, so the doctor must perform a deeper inspection to pinpoint the source of the problem. For these reasons mold inspections are often a requirement when the building is being constructed or repaired.
Mold Testing After Water Damage
Another reason for testing comes after water damage occurs. If the building is being torn down or repaired and there is water damage, there may be a lot of moisture trapped in the structure. Mold can grow very quickly under high humidity conditions. If not removed promptly, it can soon begin growing back and growing even larger in some places. There may also be a lot of damage that will not be evident until the mold inspection has been completed.
Finally, in cases of plumbing leaks, mold removal can be a difficult and dangerous task. Plumbing leaks can spread toxic spores into the air, creating a hazard for anyone in the home. Mold inspections are often very important in these situations. Even if the plumbing leak is not particularly harmful, there could still be health risks that can be caused by the presence of mold spores in the air.
Mold testing is often required in many cases. While it is not always required for all situations, it is usually advisable to have some testing done to ensure that the building is free of any hidden moisture and mold growth. By doing some visual inspection of the space with a mildew camera or other camera, any hidden moisture problems can be discovered, which can be remedied without any costly professional help.