A mold inspection is the first step in preventing the spread of mold. Mold or molds, also known as fungus, is anaerobic, non-photosynthetic microbial growth that grows on damp, moist, and dry materials. It occurs naturally in the air, on raw materials, in water, and many other places. By breaking down organic matter like fallen trees and dried leaves; indoors, mold also plays a vital role in nature by breaking apart dead plants and tree bark for food; mold has also been used in sewage treatment plants to destroy bacterial and other biological contamination.
Most mold inspections are done for residential or industrial mold remediation and are usually recommended after a building has been closed and a thorough cleanup has been done. Some mold remediation companies perform mold inspections as a routine part of their remediation service. A remediation company may also perform a mold inspection when they detect the presence of mold in your home, office, or business premises. In general, mold remediation companies determine if a building or piece of property needs to be closed until the source of the mold is resolved. There are a variety of methods for mold removal; these include the following:
If a mold inspection has been performed and there is no evidence of mold, you probably won’t need a mold remediation company to come out and do testing. If you have new home construction, it’s essential to know the average moisture content in the room, outside and inside any rooms with new construction. This will help you in determining what to do about any excess moisture or humidity. You also need to check the roof, ceilings, attics, ductwork, and subfloors for water damage. If you have new home construction, you will likely need a professional to inspect the entire building, not just specific areas.
For existing homes, you should first attempt to eliminate the possibility of mold contamination by looking for water damage or mold contamination on the outside surfaces of walls, ceilings, cabinets, or windows. If you do find mold on these surfaces, the next step is to look at the room’s ventilation system. If the ventilation is not functioning correctly or there is excess moisture or humidity, it is likely to be mold contamination. This can be determined by performing a mold inspection on the inside walls, ceiling, and floor. If the mold inspection shows mold spores on the outside surfaces, you still need to conduct mold testing. Check also Tucson Arizona for related articles.
Once you have located mold contamination on the interior surfaces of your building, it is time to conduct mold testing. Typically, mold testing is performed during the initial inspection. Commonly, a mold detection kit is used for this purpose. The equipment can be purchased at a home improvement or hardware store and is easy to use. After conducting the mold inspection and mold testing, you will be able to determine any health risks related to mold contamination. Depending on the mold testing results, you will either need to remove the mold-contaminated surface(s) or refer the area to a mold removal contractor for mold removal.
Although moisture in any room can pose a health risk, mold inspections are crucial for those living in high-risk areas such as office buildings, retail stores, or other spaces that frequently experience leaks. It is important to note that moisture testing alone usually does not provide sufficient information about the source of the moisture. To solve the problem, your contractor will need to perform an inspection of the root cause of the water.