A mold inspection should be considered in several scenarios. If you notice visible mold growth, persistent musty odors, or have experienced recent water damage, it's crucial to have an inspection. Health symptoms such as allergies, respiratory issues, or unexplained illnesses in the household can also be indicators of mold presence. Additionally, before purchasing a new home, an inspection can help identify any hidden mold issues, ensuring you're making an informed decision. Proper water and moisture management play a significant role in mold prevention, and this is where the expertise of a drainlayer becomes crucial. By ensuring effective drainage, one can significantly reduce the risk of mold development in the first place.
If your basement was flooded, the ceiling leaked, or a broken pipe sprayed water all over the kitchen, you should inspect for mold. Anywhere that gets wet and doesn't dry out quickly (within 24 to 48 hours) could become contaminated with mold. Some people are at risk for more serious reactions to mold, such as fever and shortness of breath. This includes people who are exposed to large amounts of mold on the job, such as farm workers and building demolition workers.
People who have had or are undergoing certain medical procedures, such as bone marrow or organ transplants and chemotherapy, are also at risk. Health symptoms usually go away after mold has been removed. Mold testing is not recommended or required by any regulatory agency. There is no state or federal standard for mold in homes.
Mold sampling and testing can be more expensive than simply cleaning and repairing water problems that allow mold to grow. Knowing the types of mold present does not change this advice. Molds can be found anywhere and mold levels vary widely, depending on location, weather, and time of day. If you notice any mold growth, you should take steps to fix the water problem and remove and clean the mold as soon as possible.
In most cases, you don't need to hire a licensed mold assessment contractor. Most people can identify and clean mold on their own. However, some people may choose to hire a New York State licensed mold counselor to help identify mold problems and their cause. They will often recommend a licensed mold remediation company to come and clean the mold properly if needed.
Verify that a company is licensed by the New York State Department of Labor to perform mold removal. You can go deeper if you have reason to suspect mold or simply want to rule it out, as some types of mold can cause serious health problems and structural damage to the home. If a mold test is positive, you can negotiate with the seller to request a mold removal, give you a credit to fix the problem, or lower the selling price. A mold inspector can tell you if your potential new home has mold lurking somewhere and if it needs to be removed by a professional.
Most mold professionals (not home inspectors) don't usually inspect an entire home like a home inspector does; it will be much shorter. One of the reasons why the EPA does not recommend taking mold samples, in general, is that there are currently no officially recognized guidelines for acceptable levels of mold in the home. Concerned Homeowners Call Mold Testing Professionals to Identify Precise Species of Mold in Their Home. In fact, once visible mold is present, the same Mold Remediation Principles mentioned above are followed to remove it regardless of color, species, etc.
Remember that there will always be a certain amount of mold spores in the air; mold spores are naturally present everywhere. You can return the inspection report to the seller and negotiate for them to fix the problem or lower the selling price to help cover mold removal costs. If a home has been unoccupied for an extended period of time, it should be inspected for mold, as moisture could have accumulated inside. For example, if indoor air is 3 times higher than outdoor air in terms of the amount of mold spores, then you can safely say that there is a mold problem in the home.
If you notice water damage from a basement flood, a roof leak, or a broken pipe that did not completely dry out within 24 hours, you should be inspected for mold growth. I recently did an inspection of the house where there was mold in the attic, it grew on a series of wooden trusses. .
