Exploring the Benefits of Professional Mold Inspection
That dreaded three-letter word that no homeowner wants to hear. When you discover mold growing in your house, it’s normal to feel anxious and overwhelmed. Getting rid of mold is not a simple DIY task. The best approach is to contact a professional home inspector or mold specialist to thoroughly inspect for mold and help remediate any issues.
Why Mold Should Be Taken Seriously
Mold may seem harmless, but it can cause a wide range of health issues. Exposure to mold can trigger allergic reactions, asthma attacks, respiratory problems, and other illnesses. Certain types of mold produce mycotoxins that can severely impact the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system when inhaled in large quantities over time. Mold also leads to structural damage as it feeds on materials like drywall, wood, and insulation. That’s why mold inspection and remediation should never be ignored. The costs and health consequences will only get worse if let go.
Should I Do Mold Testing Myself?
There are DIY mold test kits you can buy at hardware stores to swab surfaces and send samples to a lab for analysis. However, most home mold inspections should be left to the professionals for several reasons:
Correct Sampling
Professionals are trained on the best swabbing techniques and locations to detect mold. Testing the wrong areas can miss hidden mold and provide false results. Using an inferior collection method also leads to bad samples.
Analysis Expertise
Lab analysis determines the exact mold species present. But interpreting these reports takes special expertise. Certified inspectors know which molds are harmful vs benign. They also understand localized risk factors like humidity and airflow that aid mold growth in your unique home environment.
When Is Professional Mold Testing Needed?
While mold can grow anywhere moisture exists, some situations require more urgency in contacting an inspector:
- New mold growth visible after water damage like flooding or plumbing leaks
- Musty odors coming from newly discovered damp areas
- Significantly worsening respiratory illness and allergy symptoms
- Consistently high indoor humidity level readings
- Repeat mold issues despite previous DIY cleaning attempts
Don’t ignore small amounts of mold either. What may appear as minor growth can hide larger problems inside walls, under flooring, in vents, etc. Routine professional mold inspection also ensures your family stays healthy and current issues don’t escalate into major headaches down the road.
What Does a Professional Mold Inspection Involve?
A thorough home mold test involves meticulous inspection of the entire structure plus environmental testing. The process includes:
Interview
The inspector speaks with homeowners to understand health complaints, location of moisture issues, potential problem areas, etc. Gathering background evidence aids inspection efficiency.
Visual Inspection
All accessible surfaces are closely examined for visible mold growth. Typical problem areas include bathroom tile grout, walls behind furniture, window sills, pipe joints, attics, crawlspaces, and basements. Inspectors use specialized flashlights, moisture meters, thermal imaging cameras, and other tools to uncover hidden issues normal eyes can’t see.
Air Quality Tests
Surface tests alone don’t determine if spores are actively circulating through living areas. Air samples get analyzed to identify all mold types and spore levels. Increased spore counts signal area contamination.
Moisture Readings
Electrical meters check moisture in walls, floors, insulation, wood, and masonry. Elevated readings confirm ideal mold growth conditions. Invasive moisture checks require repairing tiny holes afterward.
Environmental Tests
Factors like humidity, airflow, ventilation, temperature extremes etc. influence mold severity. Testing provides data to correct the home environment.
Documentation
Photographs, air sampling laboratory results, meter readings, detailed remediation instructions etc. help homeowners understand the full scope of problems and solutions.
How Much Does Professional Mold Inspection Cost?
National averages for basic visual mold inspection range from $300-$600 depending on your location and home size. Here are the main pricing factors:
- Home Square Footage – Larger homes take more time with higher inspection fees.
- Testing Extensiveness – Air, surface or invasive moisture sampling increases costs but provides a more complete mold profile.
- Suspected Issues – Known moisture issues or ill family members warrant extra inspection rigor.
- Regional Housing Prices – Mold inspection costs are higher in regions with higher home costs. Metropolitan areas are typically pricier.
- Company Specializations – Firms exclusively handling mold and radon tests often change premium rates.
Getting quotes from a few local inspectors helps homeowners compare. Bundled packages offering both testing and remediation may offer bundled pricing discounts too.
Take Preventative Moisture Control Steps
Of course, the best approach is preventing moisture and mold outbreaks altogether. DIY preventative measures include:
- Fixing plumbing, roof or foundation leaks immediately
- Improving ventilation in bathrooms, attics and crawl spaces
- Installing dehumidifiers to maintain indoor humidity under 50%
- Keeping gutters and drainage areas clear of debris
- Using exhaust fans whenever cooking, showering or cleaning
- Ensuring clothes dryers vent outdoors
- Moving wet items or overflowing plants into sunlight
- Checking under sinks for pipe condensation or leaks
Being proactive limits mold opportunities. But professional mold inspection also plays a vital role monitoring conditions and identifying hidden moisture you cannot see. Don’t let the “out of sight, out of mind” mindset regarding mold amplification underneath surfaces put your home and health at risk. Contact a certified mold specialist to begin routine testing.
