Photo courtesy of Mold Busters.
If you suspect there’s mold in your home, having a professional mold inspection will confirm whether or not there is. It’s not mold until a mold inspector has thoroughly assessed the situation, be it by sampling the surface or testing the indoor air quality. Looks are deceiving after all; what might appear as black mold could be something else. On the other hand, symptoms you’ve been attributing to seasonal allergies might actually be triggered by mold. All this to say, if you suspect there’s mold in your home, it’s important to book a mold inspection to know if, in fact, there is. There are several reasons why this is so crucial.
Black mold spreads fast
Black mold travels rapidly through your home and can reach every corner and crevice. Even supposing mold begins to grow in the basement, mold spores travel and can pollute the air in your attic in little time. Because they’re miniscule, you probably don’t know that you’re inhaling them. Do not wait for symptoms of mold exposure to worsen or become more of a bother to you before booking your mold inspection. The longer and more frequently you’re exposed to it, the greater your chance of experiencing more serious and long-term health problems. A home mold inspection is not something you should put on the bottom of your to-do list.
Mold indicates an existing moisture issue
Because mold needs moisture to grow, there will be an accumulation of moisture where there is mold growth. Moisture problems certainly strain the structure of your home, compromising its integrity and putting the lives of occupants at risk. Moisture problems, caused by a leaking pipe for example, must not be ignored. It’s crucial to address them and restore your home to its original, completely dry state, not only to remove and prevent further mold but to preserve the structural condition and safety of your home.
Household cleaners won’t effectively clean mold
Book a mold inspection to detect any mold and have it completely removed from your home rather than tackling what you think is mold on your own. This way, you’ll gain peace of mind knowing that your effort wasn’t futile, that you didn’t increase your risk of exposure, and ultimately that you didn’t make the problem worse by trying to handle the mold on your own.
A common, incredibly dangerous misconception about mold is that, by using bleach or other household cleaning solutions on a contaminated area, you can effectively eliminate the problem, subsequently saving money and time. However, handling mold on your own is not a solution. You might cause the mold to spread to areas of the home it hasn’t yet reached and, without the proper equipment and attire, you’re putting your health and safety, as well as that of your family, at risk.
Mold is not always visible
Again, it’s neither necessary nor a good idea to wait until you can see mold in your home before booking a mold inspection if you suspect for other reasons that there’s mold. Many times, mold is not visible, and it won’t be until you take an axe to your walls and floorboards. Because this is something you’re not about to do when there may be no problem to begin with, allow mold inspectors to determine whether or not there’s mold and, if so, what the next step is. They are properly equipped to visit and quickly detect every trace of mold in your home—without swinging a single hammer.
Professional mold inspections
Certified and experienced mold removal inspectors find each problem area and remove the mold and its source. If you suspect there’s mold, bear in mind that it travels quickly and an inspection should not be put off; the structural integrity of your home could be compromised; household cleaning products are not effective for removing mold (or what you think is mold); and it could be growing in areas you can’t even see.
Author Bio:Ivan Ward is a mold removal expert from Ottawa.
