No one wants to find mold inside their home. However, it does happen now and again because mold develops from water damage. While you can do everything to combat it, water damage can still occur and subsequently, so can mold. That’s why if you’re currently viewing a house to buy, it’s recommended that you get a mold inspection.
Doing so will help put your mind at ease that the home is free from mold. Or in some cases, it may help you make up your mind as to whether or not to proceed. Mold inspections are key to finding out just what’s going on with a property.
In this blog, we’ll take a look at what a mold inspection entails and what you should expect.
What Is a Mold Inspection? What Does It Include?
A mold inspection is exactly what it sounds like – an inspection for the presence of mold. This is generally a visual inspection, as mold presents itself with some pretty clear signs. These common signs of mold mainly include black and gray spots. Keep in mind that these spots can also be different colors. Mold has also been known to be brown, green, orange, and even kind of pink. Mold can also be slimy and fuzzy! A good rule of thumb: if it doesn’t wipe away easily, it’s mold. If it does, it’s just a dirt patch.
Though not a visual sign, a physical symptom of mold growth includes foul, musky odors. Usually, these odors will persist in the area that has mold. So if you smell it in several rooms then it might be a sign that the mold has spread elsewhere.
If these signs are present, then the next step is to conduct mold remediation. This includes treating the mold at the source and offering up methods of prevention moving forward. A key step during this initial investigation is to not just find the signs of mold but signs of water damage as well. As mentioned earlier, mold is the direct result of water damage. So, during this inspection, they will look for signs of water damage. This includes everything from actual moisture to wet wood, sagging floorboards, or leaks.
How Long Does a Mold Inspection Take?
The good news is that most mold inspections don’t take a long time – maybe a few hours at most. The time frame really depends on the size of your property and how easy it is for your technician to check for mold.
For example, it might take longer for them to inspect your home’s crawl space because of how tightly they have to maneuver than it would your laundry room.
Where in the House Do Mold Inspectors Check?
The answer to this is pretty much everywhere! The most common areas around the house that are routinely checked for mold include:
- Air ducts
- Basements
- Attics
- Crawl spaces
- Around windows
- Bathroom
- Kitchen
Basically, any area around your home that would be prone to mold will be inspected. Remember, mold needs a hospitable environment to grow, which includes both moisture and humidity. All of these areas offer an ample supply of both!
Will My Mold Inspector Take a Sample of Mold?
Yes! If they find mold, they will usually take a sample to test it. This is because there are actually tens of thousands of different species of mold.
While not every one of them will be present inside your home, there are plenty that will. Common types include Aspergillus and Stachybotrys, aka black mold. Upon testing, your tech will be able to learn what kind of mold you have and create a treatment plan accordingly. You can usually expect a concrete answer as to what kind of mold you have within a few days of taking the sample.
What Happens After the Mold Inspection?
As mentioned above, if you have mold, then your inspector will recommend mold remediation to get rid of it. Luckily, many companies that offer mold inspection also offer mold remediation. So you can go ahead and get an appointment on the books quickly!
If they don’t find mold, then they will offer suggestions for how you can prevent mold in the future. This could be anything from making sure windows are properly sealed to knowing how to fix a burst pipe until help arrives.
Contact PNW Restoration to Schedule a Mold Inspection Today and Protect Your Home from the Threat of Mold!
The importance of a mold inspection can never be understated. Whether you’re a residential homeowner or business owner, mold inspections are key to finding mold at its earliest stages and treating it so it doesn’t get worse.
Whether you intend to catch it early or want peace of mind that your home doesn’t have it, a mold inspection can help on both fronts. The qualified team at PNW Restoration can help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment. We’re here to help you find mold and if found, treat it so it doesn’t come back.
