Why Do I Need to Test For Mold?
The answer is simple: because you do not want to take chances.
Under certain conditions, mold is a serious hazard as it poses health threats and can cause expensive
damage to property. However, not all mold problems are catastrophic.
Having your home or office inspected and tested for mold will tell you if you even face a problem and if
so, whether it's a small clean-up or a larger scale project that requires professional mold remediation.
Mold inspection is recommended in every remediation project to determine proper cleanup and
decontamination procedures and help keep your remediation contractor honest.
In addition, after the remediation work is done, a clearance test is performed to ensure that the
remediation was successful.
When Do I Need to Test for Mold?
Generally, whenever you suspect that your property has a mold problem, whether it is visible or nor, the first step is to schedule an inspection to confirm your suspicion.
The following scenarios are good indicators for a possible mold problem that requires a thorough investigation and a mold inspection:
- After a flood or a water damage event.
- When you detect unusual stains on building materials, furniture or any other household goods.
- When you suspect mold and smell a musty or earthy odors but cannot detect any visible growth.
- When you find signs for a leak that that is suspected to be ongoing for more than 24 hours or if
you find standing water.
- In the event that occupants home or business experience long-term medical condition that
cannot be related to a known medical cause.
- Whenever you want to determine if mold is growing in your home or business.
What Is a Mold Inspection?
A mold inspection is the process of visually examining a property for mold growths in effort to detect
mold infestations. Another purpose of a mold inspection is to detect and eliminate moisture sources that
allow mold to grow and to help facilitate an effective remediation plan.
The process includes an indoors and outdoors inspection of both mold growth and the conditions that
cause mold. During a mold inspection, the inspector will take moisture readings of interior and exterior
walls as well as flooring materials, bathtub and shower enclosures and concrete slabs.
In addition, a mold inspection can expose hidden mold conditions that may be unnoticed to an untrained
eye and catch small mold problems before they become a large scale catastrophe.
Who Should I Hire for a Mold Inspection?
In order to truly know the extent of the damage and to develop a proper plan, you need to obtain an
accurate and unbiased assessment.
Routine Inspections
The only way to assure the reliability of a mold inspection is important to hire an independent inspection
company that has nothing to gain from the results and does not get paid to remove mold from your property.
Clearance Tests
Do not hire your remediation company to perform the clearance test. In addition, do not let your
remediation contractor provide his own clearance test even if he offers a free clearance testing as
only a third-party unbiased mold clearance test will truly confirm that the mold remediation was successful.
When you hire a mold inspector through RestorationSOS, your request is matched with certified mold
inspectors. However, to ensure an unbiased inspection, all inspectors are independent and do not
engage in any mold remediation services.
