Mold Inspection: Procedure, Cost, and Much More
Mold thrives in moist places quite easily. Getting mold inspection is very important to make sure that you do not have toxic mold spores around you all the time. Breathing in air that contains mold spores can trigger asthma and cause allergies.
If you are moving in a new home or doubt that your place has grown mold due to high moisture levels, then it is better to get a mold inspection done. Don’t have much knowledge about mold inspection? We will guide you on mold inspection, its cost, procedure, and much more!
Mold and Its Growth
Mold is a form of fungus, and like most kinds of fungus, it requires moisture to grow. You can find it in various colors like black, white, orange, green, etc. Mold spreads from one area to another through spores. Spores are tiny particles that grow into the mold when they land on a moist area.
Spores are present everywhere around us, inside and outside a house. Every day, we get exposed to them. They are not harmful if they are in a small amount. But if you stay in a place where mold has covered a large surface area, you can develop health issues like troubled breathing, headaches, runny nose, etc.
You can reduce exposure to mold by installing a room filtration system. You can prevent its growth by keeping your home dry, repairing leaky areas, installing an HVAC system, or venting moisture out of the house properly. You will have to hire a mold inspector if you doubt that your home has mold grown somewhere. And if you are confident that there is mold in your home, you will need a proper mold remedy.
Mold clearance is essential because it can damage the surface where it grows. People allergic to mold can have asthma issues after getting exposed to its spores.
What is Mold Inspection?
As the name indicates, mold inspection is simply identifying the presence of mold in a house, building, or a specified area. People can do it themselves but hiring a certified mold inspector is a better option as mold inspectors are well aware of the right techniques one must use to identify mold growth. They will tell you how big the issue is.
Many mold inspectors also offer mold testing services. They will pick up the mold sample from the affected area and send it to the lab. Mold testing is conducted to determine the mold type. Based on the results of tests, mold inspectors can also recommend suitable mold remediation.
Other Things You Need to Know about Mold Inspection
Mold inspection is actually a subdivision of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) investigation. In IAQ investigation, the quality of air is checked to detect the presence of certain irritants. Suppose you are getting a mold inspection because you doubt that the air quality is affecting your health. In that case, you may also consider investigations that involve the detection of other irritants.
Some kinds of mold are completely harmless. Ceratocystis is a common mold that grows on wood. It does not affect health but can damage the surface by staining it black. It usually develops when the wood is wet and goes away when it becomes dry. So, not all molds are toxic. Still, it is better to have a mold inspection to determine if the mold is harmless or not.
Mold inspection may involve digging a specific part of your property if a moldy area is not accessible otherwise. Mold inspectors also use cameras to reach places that may have developed mold that can’t be seen easily, for instance, the inside of pipes.
What is Done in a Mold Inspection?
During the mold inspection, a mold inspector will first ask you general questions like if you have detected mold somewhere or if there is a leaky area in your house. On the basis of your answers, he will start inspecting the places you mentioned specifically.
Visual inspection is the most common inspection done during this process. A mold inspector will first analyze the house or a building visually. He will look for places that have a high moisture level or used to have high moisture content in the past. He may use a moisture meter to detect moisture content.
Different instruments are used based on the condition. A mold inspector can use fiber optics to detect the presence of mold in unreachable areas. He will also look for the signs (like unpleasant earthy odor, water stains, etc.) that indicate the existence of mold.
After doing a thorough visual inspection, he will let you know about the current situation. He may need to do surface sampling and air sampling to detect the mold type. In surface sampling, he will use a swab or something similar to take a sample from an affected area. The sample will be packed immediately to avoid contamination. Then mold testing will be done in a laboratory.
Air sampling is done to detect the presence of airborne spores. A mold inspector can use different instruments in this process. Again, the sample is sent to the lab for mold detection.
Once mold testing has finished, your mold inspector will call you and let you know the results. He will suggest the best possible solutions for mold clearance. A professional mold inspector will also tell you how you can prevent mold growth in the future.
Who Needs Mold Inspection?
You will need to conduct mold inspection if:
• You are buying a home and want to make sure that the new place is mold-free. Moving to a house that has mold growing in different areas can cause trouble in the future.
• You are allergic to mold spores and have asthma. Mold can trigger asthma, cause untimely headaches, and make your throat scratchy. If you are experiencing any such issue and do not know its real cause, mold can be the hidden culprit.
• You want to inspect the quality of air that your family breathes in. Mold inspection is a good option to consider if you are concerned about your family’s health.
• You want to confirm that there is no mold-related issue in your house anymore after you have fixed a previous mold issue.
• Your house has been closed for months, and now you are planning to shift in it. Closed homes can have a higher level of humidity, which can cause mold growth.
• Your roof is leaking, or there is a plumbing issue that has caused leakage for more than two days. Such places are favorites of mold, and it thrives in these areas very fast.
• You see black, white, green, or purple spots on walls or other places. These spots can be mold colonies. If their growth is visible on some surfaces, they could grow in parts of your property that are generally not visible. Like under wooden tiles, etc.
Getting mold inspection on time is necessary to avoid extensive damage. Mold grows very fast and can cover large areas in a short time.
Average Cost of Mold Inspection
The average cost of mold inspection varies from area to area. Generally, it is determined by two factors; how big is the area that requires inspection and does it involve digging different parts for proper mold detection.
If your home is large, a mold inspection will cost you more than the mold inspection done in a smaller home. It is because the mold inspector will have to spend more time evaluating a large area. Similarly, mold inspection that requires digging takes more time and effort. So, quite simply, it will be more costly.
Normally, if your home is small to medium in size, a mold inspection may cost you $300 to $400. On the other hand, mold inspection of a larger area may cost $700 to $900. It does not include the cost of mold testing. Under certain situations, mold tests can be unnecessary. Ask your mold inspector whether it is really needed or not.
Who to Call for Mold Inspection
Certified mold inspectors are qualified for this task. They have experience and are aware of the right techniques, procedures, and everything related to this field. Mold inspectors will look for the mold at different parts of your property. They may also recommend useful mold remedies and tell you how to prevent its growth in the future.
Not all molds that grow in a home are considered harmful. Still, it is better to hire a mold inspector to conduct a thorough mold inspection and identify if there is any toxic mold or not. IAQ Environment is a reputable indoor air quality specialist company. We offer several services to make sure that our clients breathe in harmless mold-free air. Contact us anytime if you need mold inspection!