What is mold, exactly?
How do you even know for sure if you have it, and if you do, then what do you do about it? Well, for starters, mold is a fungus. Mold will grow in damp places and places that get a lot of moisture (think bathrooms and basements).
Mold will spread through spore emissions which are microscopic and can’t be seen without a microscope. Outside, inside, it doesn’t matter: MOLD IS EVERYWHERE!
Therefore, it is important to have the professionals at Home Solutions Inspection come and take a look! We provide assessment and inspection services for both residential and commercial locations.
We will collaborate with you from start to finish and provide you with a detailed report for you and your mold remediation contractor. After necessary remediation is completed, we will do a thorough inspection to be sure there is no longer visible mold in the area.
How Will I know when or why I need to call someone?
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One of the first signs of mold is going to be the smell. It is a musty kind of odor that may start to get stronger as more mold grows. We can’t always see mold and don’t always know where to look for it.
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You think you see mold or notice that it has started to spread from a tiny spot that is much bigger now.
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You have had recent plumbing issues or water damage. Mold may be hiding behind the walls or in the floorboards.
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Looking to buy a new home or sell your current home. Having a mold inspection not only protects you as the buyer/seller, but also the other parties involved.
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Tenant/Property Owner disputes regarding presence of mold. Be on the safe side, get an inspection.
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Health issues. Coughing, sneezing, headaches but it’s not allergies or a cold? These signs are common mold symptoms. If the doctor can’t pinpoint the problem, it could be mold.
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Post mold remediation. It is important to have an inspector come and be sure the mold problem has been eliminated.
Can’t I take care of mold myself?
Yes, there are kits that can help you test the mold. It’s fairly easy, you take a sample and send it in for testing.
Because mold is EVERYWHERE, you are likely to get a result back saying, you guessed it, you have mold. What a home mold test doesn’t do is provide a visual inspection of the mold.
At Home Solutions Inspection we can not only provide the sampling but also the visual component as well. The experts here use moisture meters to find those areas that may have mold hiding.
Our inspectors are trained to detect mold-related issues that most people without training would know about. If you can smell mold, but not see it: This kind of home kit will not help you!
Ok, I’m calling someone. What will they do?
After setting your appointment with the professionals at Home Solutions Inspection, we will come and conduct a visual inspection of your home. We will ask you questions about any specific areas you are concerned about the possible presence of mold.
Our inspectors are highly trained and will also look over other common areas of the home where mold can be found just to be sure. We use moisture meters to help us determine any areas that could allow for mold growth.
If we do happen to find excess moisture, we will do our best to find the source. If there has been previous water damage, we may check those areas as well to be sure everything is still leak-free.
If the presence of mold is found, and you would like to determine what kind of mold is growing in your home, we can take a sample for you. Home Solutions Inspection can do surface sampling by using tape or swabs as well as air samples.
When we have results, we will inform you of what mold is in your home. Most importantly, if there is mold, we will work with you directly to help develop a plan and provide resources for you to give to your mold remediation contractor.
How can I keep this from happening again?
You finally got rid of any and all mold in your home. You’re worried about it coming back though. Well, here are some ways to help prevent mold growth:
- If you notice anything leaking (toilet, faucet, rusty pipes, roof) get it fixed right away and clean any water. It is important to keep the moisture out of your home.
- Make sure the floors and walls are clean and dry. Moisture by condensation is a breeding ground for mold. Basements tend to be damp, using a de-humidifier during high moisture times will help.
- Reduce humidity in your home. Bathrooms are familiar places for high humidity as well as laundry rooms and kitchens. Be sure these areas are properly vented so moisture doesn’t build.