Making sure your property looks spic and span can be hard work but very valuable if you’re ever thinking of putting it on the market or renting it out. With summer going nowhere, humidity is at an all-time high, and humidity can bring mold problems. It’s important to consider mold testing and hiring professionals to do the job so that it can save you from costly damages in the future.
The Hidden Threat of Mold
Humidity is more than annoying. It can be a big component in mold growth, especially during the summer months when mold tends to thrive. Mold can be in places you’d never imagine, so make sure you check every nook and cranny where humidity and moisture lie to find it early. Then, you’ll be able to hire people to start doing mold testing.
Why Mold Testing Matters
Mold testing is extremely beneficial for your property or even historical building. If you’ve found mold early, it’s so much easier to get rid of and potentially less harmful. Keeping your health protected is important, especially considering that mold can cause health issues if not removed properly. Mold testing Kennett Square helps make sure your family or property tenants aren’t breathing in harmful mold specifies or spores. Also, mold testing can help property value go up. Mold can really damage a home’s structure if it continues to grow, so knowing your home is mold-free can provide you peace of mind as well as a full wallet.
The Mold Testing Process
Professionals in Kennett Square have a different way of doing things, but at INX Indoor Air Quality, we break down our exact mold testing process. Read below on the crucial steps we take during a mold issue:
- Visual Inspection: Our experts thoroughly examine your property for visible signs of mold growth.
- Air Quality Testing: We collect air samples from various areas of your home to detect mold spore concentration.
- Surface Sampling: Swab or tape lift samples are taken from suspected mold growth areas.
- Moisture Testing: We use moisture meters and thermal imaging to identify potential mold growth sources.
- Lab Analysis: All samples are sent to a qualified laboratory for detailed analysis.
- Comprehensive Reporting: We provide a detailed report of our findings, including remediation recommendations and preventive measures.
Preventing Mold Growth
There are a lot of ways to prevent mold growth, but the hardest ones are the ones that make sure mold never comes back. Our team at INX knows what to do to keep your home mold-free, including keeping it clean with regular cleanings and disinfecting. Also, control your humidity levels. Property owners are typically aiming for 40% – 60% relative humidity, anything higher can give your space a higher likelihood of mold growth. Another thing to remember is managing temperatures. When the temperature goes up and down, it can lead to condensation which then can result in mold growth. The best thing you can do for your home is always have proper air circulation, especially in places like attics or basements that aren’t always well-vented.
Mold Inspection vs. Mold Testing – What’s the Difference?
Both methods of finding mold seem similar but are often confused for the same thing. Mold inspection involves visually examining the property and finding signs of mold, such as black spots, musty odors, or excess moisture.
However, mold testing involves taking samples and sending them to a lab for analysis. This helps determine the species and concentration of mold present. Sometimes, small amounts of mold can be present, which could mean less of a potential threat, but it’s always best to get it checked out.
Both techniques are used by mold professionals like INX and are extremely important in the mold removal Kennett Square process. These ways can help provide our team with immediate results that will give you better insights and recommendations for mold remediation Kennett Square processes.
Air Sampling for Mold Detection
Another common method of finding mold is sampling the particles in the air. This method detects mold spores in the air by examining the samples in different areas of your property. If there seem to be more mold spores in the basement than in the attic, most professionals will start there first because the signs from the lab point to that place having the hidden mold problem.
How can you tell if there is black mold present?
Black mold is scary and can really be harmful if not removed or cleaned out. To find black mold, you’ll have to look at areas like ceilings, walls, or other surfaces. It tends to appear as green or dark black patches, sometimes similar to fuzziness. Black mold also has a distinct smell of mustiness, similar to rotting wood or damp dirt/sand. Also, if you feel like your health symptoms have worsened this may be exposure to black mold. A lot of people with mold poisoning experience headaches, excessive sneezing, and respiratory issues. If you feel like you’ve experienced any of these symptoms or see any of these black mold signs, call the professionals as soon as possible, and they’ll know what to do.
Summary
No matter what, sometimes places can just have mold, even if it’s extremely clean but don’t worry! The experts at INX Indoor Air Quality offer complimentary virtual assessments as well as on-site mold inspections with air testing included. Not a lot of companies do this.
Remember, when it comes to mold, early detection and prevention are key to saving your property from potential damage.
Call INX Indoor Air Quality today and take the first step in safeguarding your home against mold. Your property – and your peace of mind – are worth it.
