Mold issues in a building can result from a variety of things, such as flooding from a storm, plumbing leaks, and condensation issues. Mold problems can be especially common in Southwest Florida, as our hot, humid climate provides the perfect conditions for mold to thrive. Scheduling a mold inspection or mold test is always the first step to take when mold is present or mold growth is suspected.
What Does a Mold Inspection Involve?
A mold inspection is generally the first step when you suspect that mold may be growing in an indoor space. This process is also beneficial if a building has moisture issues that may create the potential for mold growth. A professional mold inspection basically involves going around the building to check for signs of visible mold growth and musty or moldy odors. An inspector will also look for any signs of condensation and water damage.
Schedule a mold inspection immediately if you have a plumbing leak or the building experiences flooding or any other type of water damage. If moisture is present in walls, floors, ceilings, attics, crawlspaces, or on any furnishings, mold can potentially start growing in as little as 24 to 48 hours. Even if there is no visible water damage, a mold inspector can take moisture readings to identify any areas where mold may potentially start growing.
If the inspector identifies any mold growth or moisture issues, they will then provide recommendations on the next steps. This can include mold remediation along with removing any waterlogged building materials. The use of high-power fans can help dry out wall studs, floor joists, and flooring. This process can also include things like fixing a leak in your roof or a plumbing leak and getting your sewer line cleaned if it’s backing up and causing sewage to flood certain areas.
If the mold or moisture issues are due to high indoor humidity or a lack of ventilation, the inspector will also provide you with recommendations on how to overcome this type of problem. For instance, if you’re having mold issues in your attic or crawl space, it may be wise to add more ventilation or have your crawl space encapsulated.
What Does a Mold Test Involve?
An inspector may recommend a mold test is they spot any growth. Mold testing generally serves two different purposes. It can confirm the presence of hidden mold growth in an area without having to tear into the wall, ceiling, or floor. The second purpose is to identify what type of mold is present and whether it poses any health risks.
Most types of mold spores can cause problems for people with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory issues. Certain mold species can cause dangerous infections and illnesses, especially for people with asthma or a compromised immune system. Mold testing is also often done after remediation just to confirm that no more mold is present.
There are two different methods used for mold testing. This includes air sampling and surface sampling. Air sampling involves using highly sensitive, specialized equipment to check for the presence of mold spores in the air and measure their concentration. This method is especially useful when mold growth is suspected but no visible mold growth is present.
By moving around the area and continually checking to see how high the concentration of spores is, the inspector or technician can narrow down the search area and eventually pinpoint any places where mold is growing. Air sampling can also involve using a collection medium to gather samples of airborne mold spores so that they can then be tested to determine what type they are.
Surface sampling is basically the same thing as using a medium to collect airborne mold spores. However, it involves using swabs to take samples from walls and other surfaces. These samples are then tested by a laboratory to determine if any toxic or harmful species of mold are present.
If the technician inspects hidden mold growth inside a wall or anywhere else, they can also do what’s known as cavity sampling. This involves drilling or cutting a small hole in the wall and then taking surface samples from inside the cavity to confirm whether mold is present. In some cases, they may also send drywall or other building materials off to be tested.
How to Know if You Need a Mold Inspection or Mold Test
Scheduling a professional mold inspection is essential if you suspect any issues with indoor mold growth. The main things to watch out for are black spots on any surface or other visible signs of mold growth. Other signs include musty odors and signs of water damage.
If you see visible mold growth, it’s a good idea to have both a mold inspection and a mold test done. The inspection process is important for determining the extent of the problem and finding all the places where mold is growing or may grow. If you’re concerned about any potential health risks, you may also want to schedule a mold test. However, mold testing isn’t always necessary since you’ll want to get the remediation process started immediately anyway. If you’re filing an insurance claim to cover the mold remediation, you may be required to have a test performed.
Can You Test for Mold Yourself?
You can find many DIY or at-home mold test kits online and in most home improvement stores. These kits usually come with a petri dish that you can use for air sampling. All you need to do is set out the dish and wait around 24 to 48 hours to see if any mold is growing on it. Some kits also come with swabs that you use for surface testing. You send the kit back to the manufacturer, and they provide results to you online or by email stating what type of mold is present.
The issue with trying to test mold yourself is that most test kits aren’t as accurate as professional mold testing. DIY kits can often provide false positives or, sometimes, false negatives. Using a petri dish is about the least accurate way to do air sampling and test whether mold is growing inside a building. This is because certain types of mold spores are always present in the air. Just because mold starts growing on the petri dish doesn’t necessarily mean mold is growing inside your home or business.
The only way to be fully sure if mold issues are present and know if the mold poses any health risks is with professional testing. The other advantage of professional testing and inspections is that the technician will recommend the proper steps you need to take to eliminate the mold and prevent it from returning. Trying to clean mold yourself rarely works well enough, and it can also pose serious health risks if you don’t take the proper precautions.
For more than 20 years, iMold has been the most trusted name for mold remediation in Fort Myers, FL. We offer free visual mold inspections and can identify whether any mold issues are present in your home or business that require professional remediation.
To schedule a mold inspection or get help overcoming water damage issues before they lead to mold growth, contact iMold in Fort Myers today.
