Mold can be harmful in any living space. Fortunately, mold testing can reveal whether a building or apartment has mold. Markham mold inspection team explains it is important because uncontrolled mold growth can lead to significant health problems such as asthma, allergies, and neurological disorders. In addition, a mold infestation can cause structural damage to your property.
Therefore, only by testing for mold can you identify problem areas in your home and take the necessary steps to eliminate them and prevent their reoccurrence. It’s also important to determine the type of mold so you can decide on the best treatment method. Even better, mold testing will give you peace of mind knowing that there is no mold in your house or building. It only implies that choosing the right Louisville mold removal company can go a long way in providing the appropriate remedies. Here’s how to test for mold in your home;
Mold: What Does It Look Like?
Mold develops from spores that float in the air. It grows virtually anywhere the spores fall off and receive moisture and a suitable temperature of 40 to 100 °Fahrenheit Typically, this includes almost any damp area in your home. Mold, common mildew, starts as small, usually black spots but quickly expands to large colonies; this is one of the easiest ways to determine if your home is infested with mold. It’s the black substance you notice in the damp walls of a bathroom, in the grout lines, and outside on decking boards and painted siding, especially in damp and shady areas.
It’s difficult to distinguish a partially soiled surface from one with mold. Dab a few drops of household bleach on the darkened area to check whether mold is present. Mold is present if it comes off after a minute or two. If the spot remains black, dirt is most likely present.
Distinguishing Dirt From Mold
Usually, mold is visible, but microscopic or well-hidden growths can make the surface appear unclean. You can perform a simple mold test by dipping a swab in a bleach solution, i.e., one part bleach and sixteen parts water. After that, dab the walls with it. Assuming the spot lightens quickly or keeps returning after a cleaning. In this case, you are dealing with mold. While you can buy test kits to determine the presence and type of mold, they will not help you determine the cause or figure out how to fight it.
Use A Scraper To Check The Region
Mildew as a surface mold won’t harm the structural integrity of your property. Other types of mold, however, will cause rot. Use sharp objects such as a scraper or screwdriver to inspect the suspect area for mold. Assuming the wood is mushy or crumbly, the fungus has taken hold, and decay has begun.
Examine For Plumbing Defects
If you notice mold near sewer lines, water pipes, ice machine lines, or plumbing, it is most likely the result of a nearby leak. Keep the water flowing while you inspect the plumbing and nearby area for damp spots to determine if mold has formed from a water leak. When water penetrates absorbent materials such as drywall, it flows in all directions, i.e., sideways, downward, and upward. Therefore, the actual leak may be some distance away from the mold. Once you have discovered the leak, you should repair it.
Watch For Leaks In The Exterior
When inspecting exterior walls and ceilings for mold, look for leaks inside the wall and roofing. Determine the dimensions from the moldy area to the reference point, such as a doorway, and then identify the area on the opposite side of your ceiling or wall. Examine the surrounding ductwork, roof sheathing, deck boards, window frames, and any rotting wood. Check if the terrain slopes toward the house and if gutters discharge next to the wall. If the ground around the house gets too wet, water will seep into the foundation or floor slab and cause chronic moisture. When repairing the leakage, be sure to install the covers properly.
Examine Your Duct System
Mold growth on the ceiling behind ducts or registers is not an indication of a leaky roof. Poor air duct insulation could be the problem. Also, ducts that carry cold air across attics or crawl spaces create warm, moist air that condenses and produces water. The condensation indicates that your duct is not insulated or does not have a vapor barrier. The water eventually penetrates the drywall and insulation, allowing mold spores to take hold. In cooler temperatures, the opposite is true. Moisture accumulates wherever warm air flows, such as at open seams between duct components. Check your duct system for mold infestation.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) doesn’t advocate regular mold testing. At the same time, it’s usually dangerous, unnecessary, and costly to determine the type of mold because you must get rid of it in the long run. As such, consider engaging mold removal experts who understand the involved processes in protecting you and your loved ones safely.
