A Guide To Mold Inspection

Molds are microscopic organisms responsible for digesting the organic matter and they reproduce by releasing spores. Molds are just a type of fungi that help in decomposition and breaking down of wood, leaves and other plant waste. Molds become a concern when they enter homes and building, and start digesting the basic construction material.

Most of the home-owners are concerned about possible hidden molds in their homes. There are few signs of molds that are easy to find. They enter the homes as very tiny pores, and start growing and destroying. They can grow on any kind of surface such as tiles, wood, paper, sheet rock, paint, carpets and insulation. Moisture from high humidity, flood or leaky roofs are best mediums for mold to grow.

How To Do Mold Inspection

It is very important to do a thorough mold inspection in the building or house, as it can adversely affect the health of the occupants. Mold is usually found in the places where water has damaged the furniture or building material from plumbing leaks or flooding. Molds also grow along the walls that have warm moist surface, such as behind dressers, exterior walls, closets and headboards. Mold inspection should also be done in bathrooms, kitchens, basements and laundry rooms, as mold usually grows in these areas due to high water usage and humidity.

Even small hairline crack in the window caulking lets small amount of water from rain or sprinkler system into the walls. This may cause serious mold problems inside walls. After entering the walls, water flows down and gets soaked in the baseboards, causing them to swell. Once it dries, it shrinks, and this expansion and shrinkage causes the baseboards to slightly separate from the walls making a perfect place for mold.

Do not forget the wallpaper while doing the mold inspection. Heavy wallpaper causes the moisture to get trapped behind the walls, and when it mixes with the wall paper glue, it offers a perfect breeding ground for mold. During mold inspection, wallpaper is not peeled, and hence the hidden mold may not be discovered. It is also quite difficult to trace the mold under the carpet tack strips.

While doing mold inspection, it is possible to smell or see the mold. If you suspect mold in the house, mold inspection must be done very carefully by wearing the protective gear in order to avoid direct contact with it.

Initial home mold inspection can be done easily, and if you suspect its presence, call the certified and professional mold inspector. If mold problem becomes acute, it can cause some serious health problems in the residents. Seek the help of a professional who uses humidity meters, moisture meters, air samples and borescopes to detect the problem of molds, and suggest the appropriate measures to eliminate mold.