Are you noticing a musty smell in your home? Have you had to clean surfaces of mold more frequently? Are your allergies acting up when you’re inside? Chances are these are signs that your home has a mold problem. However, in order to be 100% certain that there is a mold issue, it’s recommended that you have a mold inspection or mold test first. Mold inspections can not only save you money (in the off chance that you don’t have a mold issue), but also save you time (mold remediation can sometimes take a few days depending on the extent of the damage). There are a few things homeowners need to know about mold testing and mold inspections before reaching out to a reliable residential mold removal company.
What Happens During a Mold Inspection
Gathering Information. First things first, the mold inspection company will most likely ask you when you first started noticing any issues. For instance, you may have noticed signs of mold not long after a major storm came through. In this case, there is probably a leak somewhere in your basement or attic. Inspection companies will always ask you if your home has ever experienced a leak or floor in the past and where it was patched.
Thorough Inspection. During the investigation, mold inspectors will conduct a visual inspection of the affected areas of your home. If you’re unsure where the mold issue may be coming from, then the team will need to conduct a wider search throughout your entire home. Just be prepared for the inspection crew to look just about everywhere (head’s up if you need to do some cleaning beforehand). Luckily these visual inspections are non-invasive in terms of drilling into dry wall or ripping up baseboards or raising floors. Not only is this unnecessary at this stage, but also it could cause mold spores to spread when disturbed. Many professional mold inspection companies will also use moisture meters or thermal imaging that allows them to see any type of mold growth behind surfaces or in the air.
Acquiring Samples. Lastly, the mold inspection process will always conclude with a sample. The mold testing company will take both a surface sample from a suspected surface (such as on wood, cement, drywall or upholstery) as well as an air sample. These samples are then brought to a lab which determines what types of mold are present, the concentration of mold, as well as the location of the mold within your home.
Depending on the size of the affected area in your home, the entire mold inspection process may take anywhere from one to two hours — but it’s worth it! The inspectors will also be more than happy to answer any questions you might have regarding types of mold, possible reasons for the mold growth, and what mold remediation companies in the area they recommend. Many companies will only offer one service or the other, so don’t hesitate to ask for a reputable mold removal company. Bay State Mold Removal is capable of removing any type of mold, no mater how extensive the damage is. Contact us today for a free estimate!