What Happens During a Black Mold Inspection?
You just found your dream home! But before you place an offer, you want to make sure it’s free of black mold. After all, treating black mold is a real headache when you’re trying to move into your new home. That’s why you should invest in a black mold inspection.
A black mold inspection usually encompasses a visual inspection by an experienced technician. However, they may also use cameras when the situation calls for it. Generally, the technician will inspect areas of the property where mold growth is common. In most cases, this only takes a few hours.
Keep reading to learn more about this kind of home inspection and what you should expect from the process:
What Does a Black Mold Inspection Include?
As briefly mentioned earlier, a technician will inspect your property for areas where mold is common. This generally includes anywhere that may have experienced water damage. This includes your kitchen, bathroom, attic, basement, and garage.
Mold needs the right conditions in order to grow. This includes humidity and moisture. So, if any of these areas are humid and moist, then it’s likely there is mold. The inspection will look for visual signs of mold, including but not limited to black spots, rot, and foul odors. If these signs of mold are present, then your technician will collect them and send them out for testing.
While it could be black mold (or Stachybotrys chartarum), it may not be. There are thousands of species of mold. The results of the tests will tell you which type it is, so it can be properly treated.
Furthermore, in terms of mold and where it grows, your tech will try and figure out what’s causing it. Once the source of the water damage is located, steps can then be taken to remedy it.
How Much Does a Black Mold Inspection Cost?
The answer is that it depends on several factors, including:
- The square footage of your home
- Where you’re located
- The company you choose
That’s why, if you’re in the market for quality black mold inspections, you should shop around. Doing your homework can help you find the best fit for you. After all, this is your home. You want it to be in good hands.
That being said, the larger your house is, the more expensive your black mold inspection will be. Likewise, costs will be lower for homes with less square footage. If you have questions about how much your black mold inspection will cost, give us a call.
How to Prep for Your Appointment
Truthfully, there isn’t much you need to do to prep for a mold inspection. Your tech knows where to look and how to view hard-to-reach areas.
However, it’s a good idea to jot down your questions and where you think the mold is. The more information your tech has, the easier it will be for them to diagnose the kind of mold you have.
While black mold sounds really scary, it is very common to find in households. However, just because it’s common doesn’t mean it isn’t dangerous. Black mold can trigger allergies and cause both health and structural issues. If you suspect black mold, call in a professional.
Do I Really Need to Have a Black Mold Inspection?
The answer to this question is that it depends. For example, what if you found mold in your kitchen or attic? At this point, you don’t need to have a black mold inspection because you already found the mold.
Hiring a professional depends on your reasons for doing so. Many Portland residents get an inspection like this when they’re buying a new home. Likewise, people may choose to get one if they suspect mold but can’t actually find it. For example, experiencing physical symptoms inside the home, but not outside is often a common sign of mold growth. Unfortunately, mold may blend in and look like dirt, making it easy to miss. Furthermore, mold may grow in an area you either can’t get to or don’t frequent often. In cases like this, calling in the professionals for a black mold inspection is a good idea.
Do You Suspect Mold? Call the Pros at PNW Restoration for a Quality Black Mold Inspection!
There’s nothing worse than moving into a new home only to find black mold. If you’re about to put an offer in on a new home, call PNW Restoration. We can provide a quality black mold inspection to give you peace of mind. If we don’t find mold, great. If we do find mold, don’t panic. We can treat it.
The longer mold sits, the more dangerous it becomes. The moment you suspect black mold, call us for a black mold inspection. Our team is available via phone at 971-247-3470.
