The Importance of Mold Testing – Why Every Homeowner Should Consider It

Mold spores grow in warm, damp environments and can be found anywhere in buildings. They can also hide in places you wouldn’t expect to find them, such as behind drywall or underneath plumbing fixtures.

However, even when done well, tests can only identify a portion of the types of molds found in a sampled environment. They need more than this to make them an effective substitute for a visual inspection.

Prevent Health Issues

Molds cause many health problems ranging from minor discomforts to debilitating illnesses. The severity and type of health effects caused by mold depend on the amount and type of spores inhaled and the individual’s susceptibility to them.

Mold growth is also destructive to the surfaces it grows on. This includes building materials like drywall and wood. When these materials are damaged, it can lead to further issues that require expensive repairs.

For these reasons, inspecting any property for mold before buying or leasing it is essential. A professional such as those at Pure Maintenance NV will visually inspect the property and may use tools like flashlights and moisture meters to locate problem areas. They may also take air or surface samples for testing in a laboratory. These tests help identify the types and quantities of mold spores in the air or on the surface. However, these tests should never be a substitute for a thorough visual inspection.

Save Money

Mold spores can be found in the air and on surfaces such as walls and furniture. Surface samples can be collected using various methods, including swab testing, where an object similar to a cotton swab is rubbed against the surface and sent to a lab for analysis.

A home inspector will thoroughly inspect the entire house to look for signs of a mold problem. This includes checking behind walls, in crawl spaces, and poking around in appliances for moisture. The inspector can then map moisture and determine where mold will likely be present in the home.

Some mold spores, such as penicillium, are particularly dangerous to humans and used to create penicillin. It’s important to be cautious around this type of mold, as prolonged exposure can lead to severe illness and even death in certain cases. As a result, the tests for this mold are more demanding and involve advanced and costly equipment.

Avoid Damages

Molds can do a lot of damage to buildings and furnishings. It can weaken floors, walls, and roofs and even cause structural damage in wood-framed structures as it grows and feeds on the moisture content of wood materials. Mold inspections can help you avoid these problems by identifying the presence of any mold in your building.

A professional inspector will visually inspect your property, poking into crawl spaces and behind access panels and peeling back bits of caulking or wallpaper. They will also take air samples and surface samples for analysis. In some cases, DNA testing may be necessary to identify the specific type of mold present.

You should get a mold inspection and testing done before buying a house. That way, you can know what is lurking in the building and avoid health problems or costly damages. Molds are sneaky, and it cannot be easy to spot them.

Prevent Future Problems

Even if you’ve successfully addressed a mold problem by doing clearance testing after remediation, it’s important to remember that the indoor environment changes often. Water leaks, storms, plumbing issues, and more can impact moisture levels and cause mold to grow.

A professional can help you detect mold problems; you may need help to see and identify areas of high mold concentration. This can save you a lot of hassle and money in the long run.

Exposure to damp, mold-laden environments can cause various ill effects ranging from nose and throat irritation to debilitating headaches and fatigue. The severity of these effects varies from person to person, and it’s best to catch mold growth in your home early to nip the problem in the bud. With a little effort and testing, you can ensure your home is safe for all your family members, including pets.