Mold Inspection – What You Need to Know About Our Process
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Everyone is exposed to some mold on a daily basis without evident harm. Whether or not symptoms develop in people exposed to mold depends on the nature of the mold, the exposure level, and the sensitivity of exposed persons. Mold spores primarily cause health problems when they enter the air and are inhaled, especially when spore counts are elevated. Mold growth can occur within 24-48 hours after any water incident in your home. Leaks can be hidden inside of walls, under cabinets or in your attic. Flooding in your crawlspace, or improper ventilation in your bathroom/kitchen can also provide enough moisture for mold to take root in your home. Some possible indications of hidden mold in your home are:
- Musty/Earthy odors
- Bubbling or Peeling paint
- Discoloration on your walls and/or ceiling
- Stained carpets, especially in corners and against walls
- Unexplained or sudden onset allergic reaction when in home
- Chronic respiratory or sinus issues
The best way to determine whether or not mold is present in your home is through inspection and testing. A visual inspection alone will not provide you with the information you may need.
Step 1: Before you call us, minimize further damage
Mold contamination can cause health issues, so it is not recommended to try and clean the areas of suspect mold growth yourself. However, there are some ways that you can prepare for your inspection, that will help us collect the most amount of information possible.
- If there is a leak, or suspect mold under sinks, clean everything out from inside the cabinets so that the inspector can access those areas fully. Turn off water to these areas to minimize damage, and contact a plumber to have any leaks repaired.
- If your area(s) of concern are in a room with large furniture, pull everything away from the wall about 18” to allow the inspector better access to those areas.
- Keep doors and windows closed 8-12 hours before any inspection, to allow for more accurate air testing.
- Do not touch, or bleach, any of the areas of concern as this could potentially cause more spores to become airborne.
- Remove any loose rugs or floor coverings and place them somewhere where they can dry completely. Do not remove carpet or padding until inspection is completed.
- Remove or soak up as much excess water from the affected area as possible—if there is standing water, such as in a crawl space, use a sump pump.
- If the home is vacant, make sure that power is turned on so that air samples can be collected.
Step 2: Assessing the extent of the contamination
The first step, when we arrive, is to perform a comprehensive visual inspection of your area(s) of concern. We will also perform testing with a digital moisture meter to determine if there is any hidden moisture, or to outline the extent of known moisture issues. take photos of each area. We test for many different types of mold, and these will generally fall into three categories:
- Allergenic – Is the most common effect and can range from hay fever and asthma all the way to very particular reactions and diseases in certain organs or tissues. Hay fever like symptoms are probably the most common health effects attributed to mold in indoor environments. Major indoor allergenic mold include: Cladosporium, Alternaria, Ulocladium
- Toxigenic – Mold in this category can manifest themselves in a very wide variety of ways. Most research up to now has been directed at effects that have to do with ingestion (such as by eating contaminated grain), and comparatively little has been studied about inhaled effects. A particular species of Stachybotrys ( chartarum) produces a toxin that has been linked to bleeding lung deaths of ten infants in Cleveland. A host of other severe health effects has since been attributed to this toxin, and currently this and very similar toxins produced by other molds (Memnoniella and Trichoderma) are where much interest has been directed in terms of inhaled toxins. Major indoor toxin producing mold: Stachybotrys, Memnoniella, Trichoderma, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium
- Infectious – Are potentially the most dangerous and deadly of mold health effects, but mold in general has an inherently difficult time infecting an uncompromised immune system. Many molds won’t even grow at normal body temperature. While these infections are rare, infections in compromised individuals are much more common and can be very dangerous and problematic do to the lack of treatment options. Compromised individuals include those whose immune system systems are weakened such as (but not limited to) those with AIDS, certain cancers, the very old, the very young, and those undergoing certain drug therapies. Major infectious indoor mold: Aspergillus, Fusarium, Zygomycetes (includes Mucor / Rhizopus)
A full report with pictures will be sent directly to your email, which will include the types of mold identified, air quality analysis, the on-site inspector’s notes, as well as recommendations for remediation (if needed), and estimate for remediation services through our company.
Step 3: Consultation
Once all reports have been completed and sent to you, you will receive 30 minutes of free consultation time with a Mold Specialist. They will go over your report in detail, and explain the remediation process in full.
You should feel safe and comfortable in your own home, especially when you consider that the average human spends 90% of their time indoors. Unfortunately, many households contain unwelcome visitors, such as mold.
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Mold is an environmental hazard that can cause many serious health problems if left untreated. Not only that, but it only takes mold 24 to 48 hours to grow and spread. So, you must address any mold problems as soon as possible.
There are two primary methods for addressing mold growth in your home: mold inspection and mold testing. But what is the difference between these two services? In this post, we’ll discuss these two processes and highlight their key differences.
Mold Inspection
A mold inspection is a process in which a professional thoroughly assesses your home to identify any signs of mold growth.
1.Clients Interviews.
2.Comprehensive Visual Inspections.
3.Moisture Meter Detection.
4.Infrared Thermal Graphic Imaging.
5.Mold Inspection Reports.
During an inspection, the inspector will check for visible signs of mold and any areas that may be prone to future growth. They will also use various tools, such as moisture meters and infrared cameras, to detect moisture levels in your home. The results of a mold inspection are then compiled into a report, which will outline the inspector’s findings and recommendations.
What Does the Mold Inspection Process Include?
A professional mold inspection involves multiple steps. At Green Carpet Cleaning Inspects, we utilize the following procedure:
1. Client Interviews
The first step in any mold inspection is to meet with the homeowner, tenant, or property manager to discuss their concerns. The inspector will ask questions about any symptoms you may have, the history of moisture issues in the home, and any other relevant information. This helps them to narrow down the areas they need to focus on during the inspection.
Questions that may be asked include:
- Have you ever seen visible mold or moisture issues?
- Are there any areas of the home that have a musty smell or are unusually humid?
- Has the home ever been flooded or had water damage?
- Is anyone in the home experiencing any health symptoms that could be related to mold?
Be sure to answer these questions as honestly and accurately as possible, as this will help the inspector to diagnose any potential mold issues better. If you have anything else you’d like to share beyond the questions asked, be sure to let the inspector know as well.
2. Comprehensive Visual Inspections
The next step is to conduct a comprehensive visual inspection of the property. During this step, the inspector will carefully examine any area that may have been identified as a potential source of mold growth. This includes inspecting the home’s walls, ceilings, and other structural elements.
The inspector will also look for any signs of moisture, such as condensation on pipes or walls and water stains. They will also be looking for any visible mold growth or musty odors in the home. If they find an area of concern, they will document it and recommend further testing if necessary.
3. Moisture Meter Detection
In addition to visual inspections, the inspector will use specialized tools to detect any hidden areas of mold growth. The most commonly used tool is a moisture meter, which measures the amount of moisture within the building material. This includes finding excess moisture behind walls, under flooring, or within wood framing.
Using a moisture meter not only aids in the detection of mold but also helps to identify underlying issues that may be causing it.
4. Infrared Thermal Graphic Imaging
In some cases, the inspector will also use infrared thermal imaging to detect mold in a home. Thermal imaging technology uses infrared radiation to view subtle temperature differences through the lens of a camera. This helps to identify damp or wet areas that may be harboring mold growth, even if the area is hidden from view.
The inspector will take multiple images of each room that is being inspected and use the data to create a “thermal image” of the property. The images are then analyzed to determine if any further action should be taken.
One thing that sets us apart from the competition is that we use an endoscopic camera to determine if abnormal conditions exist inside walls, ceilings, or other enclosed spaces. The camera is inserted into a small hole to capture images inside the wall cavity, giving us greater insight into the home’s overall condition. This technology further ensures that any issues are identified and addressed promptly.
5. Mold Inspection Reports
Once each stage of the process is complete, the inspector will generate a comprehensive mold inspection report. The report will serve as a detailed summary of the findings, including areas in need of further testing or repair. In addition, it may provide recommendations for controlling moisture levels in the home and preventing future mold growth.
It is important to remember that a mold inspection is not a substitute for mold testing. Instead, it is only the first step in detecting and managing mold issues in a home. If more information is required, the inspector will recommend additional testing to confirm any suspicions.
Mold Testing
Unlike mold inspections, professional mold testing is a process in which samples are collected from the home and analyzed in a laboratory. The samples are tested using specialized methods that help to detect the presence of mold and its type.
This process can provide a more precise level of information than an inspection alone and can also be used to identify the source and extent of the growth. Mold testing is often recommended if a mold inspection has revealed an area of high moisture or visible growth.
What Types of Tests Are Used in Mold Testing?
There are several different mold testing methods that GREEN CARPET CLEANING Inspects uses in order to provide our clients with the most accurate information possible. These tests include:
Indoor Air Quality Assessments
Indoor Air quality assessments involve collecting air samples at different locations within a home and analyzing them for the presence of mold. The inspector will typically use an air pump equipped with a specialized sampling device to collect the samples from each area of the home. These samples are then analyzed in a laboratory for specific types and concentrations of mold.
These assessments are a great way to determine if mold levels are acceptable and if further action needs to be taken. Not only that, but they can also detect other airborne contaminants that may be present. These include dust, pollen, pet dander, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This helps to provide a better understanding of the home’s overall air quality.
Surface Sampling
This mold test involves taking a sample from an area where mold is suspected to be growing. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis and identification.
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