Mould is a common problem in many homes. Mold fungus is a major player in the decomposition of organic matter. Indoors, however, mold growth can cause serious respiratory problems.
Mould, a type of fungus that forms in high humidity and low ventilation, is common. Mould spreads through the emission of spores, tiny microscopic particles which float in the air until they land on a surface. Although they are found in indoor and outdoor environments, mold spores only form when they touch a moist surface.
You’ve probably just found mold on your property if you’re reading this. Mould can grow indoors in areas with high humidity and poor ventilation. Although most mold species are harmless, they can cause serious health problems for you and your family. There are two main reasons to remove and remediate mold.
- The surfaces that mold grows on can be damaged, which can lead to damage to your house’s integrity.
- Mould can irritate the respiratory system and cause asthma or hypersensitivity. Moldy houses are not safe to live in.
- It is important to eliminate and remediate mold before it becomes a major problem. Our professional mold removal services include an inspection, physical removal, and remediation to stop the mold from returning.
What’s Involved in A Mould Inspection?
A mold inspection is a thorough assessment of a property in order to find any problems or determine the source of mold germination. Mould can grow in areas that are difficult to access, such as ducts between walls, crawl spaces, and basements. To ensure that all areas of the property are safe, a mold inspection will be performed.
A mold inspector is a professional who has received specific training in order to detect and identify mold. Mold inspectors know the most likely areas for mold development and the causes that can lead to spores spreading. Mold inspections will identify areas that are moldy and provide a measurement of the problem.
What Is Mould Testing?
A mold test is used to determine if there is mold contamination in an area. To identify the specimen, a technician will take it and send it to an accredited laboratory. If the evidence is not visible or documented proof of mold infestation, mold testing can be used to prove the existence of mold.
Professional mold testing can identify the type of mold present in a home and how many mold spores are in that area. There are two types: microbial and mold testing.
How to Test for Mould
A professional mold tester must obtain a sample to accurately test for mold on a property. Mold spores can be identified using air samples from the affected area or surface samples that have been tested by a laboratory. Mold testing professionals may include:
Air Samples
Mold spores are microscopic, minuscule particles that float in the atmosphere. Any mold spores are picked up by air samples. These can be taken to an accredited laboratory for analysis. There are many ways to examine air samples.
A spore trap is the most popular method for air sampling properties. This device allows a predetermined volume of air to pass through and uses a sticky surface as a trap. The sticky surface will attract most spores, which are then contained and sent to the lab. The trap will be opened when the sample is received for analysis. Stains are then applied to the sticky surface to allow mold to absorb them. The captured spores are then positively identified and quantified.
Another method of air sampling is to grow or culturing the spores from the air and create identifiable samples.
Surface samples
There are many ways to collect surface samples. Surface sampling can be done in three ways: bulk, swab, or tape.
Bulk surface sampling for mold refers to a sample of mold-contaminated material being removed and sent to the mold testing laboratory.
Swab surface samples require a cotton cloth to wipe over any mold-affected areas. After the bacteria has been collected, the sample will be sent to the laboratory for further testing.
Clear tape is used to remove mold from surfaces. Sticky tape will grab and remove any mold particles on the surface. This is then sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Different sampling methods may offer different analyses. Most testing will focus on the presence and type of mold spores. If the primary goal is to find black mold, however, it may be necessary to use a different sampling method to test for the presence of toxic bacteria.
Mould Detection
Large-scale mold infestations can often be identified visually. Sometimes, however, it is difficult to identify mold by sight alone. In these cases, testing and analysis may be necessary. To confirm the presence and removal of the mold, a professional mold detector will be required.
Additional mold detection efforts might be required if:
- Visible mold is absent, but smells of mold are. There are many types of mold that can be identified by smell. The mildew smell is strong, musky, and potent.
- Leakage issues are a problem in the house, as well as suspicions of mold in inaccessible areas.
- Residents are experiencing increased health problems. Sometimes, doctors may not be able to pinpoint the root cause of symptoms caused by toxic mold exposure. Mold detection can help pinpoint the cause of a compromised respiratory system.
- Mold testing and detection may be necessary for buyers and sellers when they are looking to purchase or sell a property.
- Although increased humidity and inadequate ventilation are obvious, the presence of mold is not yet known.
What do I need to know about mold inspection and testing?
Yes, if you want your property to be completely safe.
A professional can inspect and test your home for mold. This will allow you to rest easy knowing that your home is safe. There are many online methods that can be used to test for mold, but a professional is best if you need to identify and correct the problem.
Mold testing kits at home can be very misleading and inaccurate. These test kits are useless if you suspect that there is mold in your home. A professional can accurately identify mold before they advise you on the best path for mold removal.
For identifying the source of mold and to prevent future growth, mold inspection services are essential. Professional mold inspections include sampling and a thorough evaluation of the property to identify infested areas that homeowners might not be aware of.
How Much Does a Mould Inspection Cost?
The costs of mold inspection and testing can vary between states and companies. Experts need to conduct mold inspections in order to determine the cost of remediation and removal. An extensive inspection, which includes testing and thorough mold detection, will cost you.
The main factors that determine the cost of mold inspections and testing include the size of the inspection and whether the specialist will have to remove or modify any property in order to conduct extensive assessments and testing.
Simply put, large houses with significant square footage will cost more to inspect and take longer. A more involved mold inspection and testing, which involves the removal of materials to detect mold, will be more costly. It is difficult to estimate the costs of mold inspection and testing, as it will depend on the scope of your project.
Finding the Right Mould Specialist
Finding a reliable and trustworthy mold testing and remediation company is key to a thorough inspection of your home. Although it may be tempting to use a DIY kit for testing your property or hire a handyman, you cannot be certain that your property will be safe without contacting a professional. Special training is required to identify, test, remove, and remediate mold bacteria. Do not take the chance – trust a professional.
GBAR Group is a leader in the field of mold remediation and hazardous materials for more than 30 years. Our experienced and qualified specialists have dealt with many sites that have large mold infestations. To ensure that every property is safe, we offer mold inspections, testing, remediation, and removal according to occupational hygienist guidelines.
We ensure that every mold inspection and remediation job we do is done to the highest standards to make sure that mold is not an ongoing problem at your property. GBAR Group’s expert mold removal services will get the job done right the first time. Contact our team today to learn more about mold testing and treatment.