Does Your Home or Office Need Mold Inspection?
Does your home or office need a mold inspection? This is a question most often heard in our industry. When clients ask us this question, they are asking two questions:
Do I need to pay a professional for expensive mold testing?
Do I need the help of an expensive professional to remove the mold?
If you see mold, usually mold inspection can be bypassed however it is prudent to test other areas especially if moisture has invaded multiple areas. The visible portion can be removed following industry-standard guidelines.
If you see or suspect mold, contact West GA Mold Testing & Assessment (987)654-3210
What Is a Mold Inspection?
Mold inspection is defined as “a qualified professional looking for mold growth in a home or office.” To provide a more complete understanding of what mold inspections should and need to include, here are important factors to consider for mold inspections:
Five Important Things You Should Know About Mold Inspections
- Mold inspections should be performed by a highly qualified mold inspector possessing formal training and experience. Training and experience are not only necessary but essential.
- Mold inspections focus on looking for evidence of past or current mold growth. Past mold growth may indicate a water problem, which can come back under certain conditions when they return, such as a recurring leak. Past mold growth has the potential to cause sensitive individuals to have an allergic reaction or, conceivably, cause some individuals to become sensitized to mold.
- Mold inspections look for mold within the building, inside walls, and in other areas where mold growth is unwanted, including areas where mold growth could be causing structural issues such as wood decay in crawlspaces.
- Some mold growths may be normal. For example, Ceratosystis and Ophiostoma are two molds that grow on lumber (often referred to as lumber yard mold) and are frequently found growing on 2×4’s or other structural framing. These molds are known to grow on wood sap and cease to grow once the wood has dried. They can result in black staining on the wood but do not cause structural issues. If black staining is found on wood, tests can be run to determine mold type.
- Look for and determine moisture sources. Water is necessary for mold growth. Therefore, if mold growth is present, it must be associated with a source of moisture. If this source of moisture is not found and eliminated, the mold growth will return, and remediation efforts are of negligible long-term value.
Why Would I Need A Mold Inspection?
To determine if you need a mold inspection, we have listed the most common reasons:
- If you have an allergic reaction such as a runny nose, sneezing, or itchy eyes associated with being in a certain room or building.
- To verify that sources of moisture have been successfully stopped and that no residual mold growth has been left after a known water and mold problem has been fixed.
- To confirm that there is not an existing moisture or mold problem associated with a new building or home that you plan to rent or purchase.
- If a specific water problem resulted in mold growth in a specific area, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need a mold inspection. For example, if a roof leak has resulted in moldy ceiling tiles, then simply fixing the roof leak, and replacing the ceiling tiles may be all that is required.
Mold Inspection
If mold is visible or suspected, contact West GA Mold Testing & Assessment today. Our team of mold experts will inspect your home or office and provide you with a sense of relief. (987)654-3210
