Is it Time for a Professional Mold Inspection?

Is it time or do you need a professional mold inspection? The easy answer to that question? It depends! It has been a warm, sometimes muggy summer in Madison, so mold growth is certainly possible. It is also possible that the humidity levels in your home have been high, or you have had a recent water leak or water damage problem.

There are a lot of things that could trigger mold growth inside your home. There are also a lot of signs you can look for around your home, and by taking a look at your own health and that of those around you.

Mold Testing

Here are some simple truths about mold testing. First of all, if you are purchasing a new home, it is always a good idea to have a mold test done. It will let you know what could be lurking in the walls, attic, and other places hidden from the naked eye.

Secondly, if you know there is a moisture problem somewhere in your home, a mold test or inspection is not the first step. The first step is to take care of the leak to stop the source of the problem. From there, any mold growth can be addressed and properly removed. However, if you simply choose to get rid of the mold, but not take care of the moisture source, you are just setting up a vicious cycle of mold growth.

Professional Mold Inspection

If you have done a mold test yourself in your home and it came back negative, don’t hesitate to perform a second one if you are not comfortable with the result. While rare, false positives and negatives are possible. You know the conditions in your home better than anyone.

This is where a professional company, like A&J Property Restoration, can step in and do an inspection for you. These inspectors are formally trained to detect mold and look for many different warning signs. Inspectors will look for evidence of both past and current mold growth. For example, evidence of past water leak could point the inspector toward a new leak in a nearby area. They will be sure to check wall cavities, attics, crawl spaces, and other places mold tends to grow undetected.

Inspectors also understand the physical effects mold can have on you, the customer. If you or someone in your home has seen a flare-up in allergies and other illnesses, it is possible these are being triggered by mold growth. Believe it or not, some people are genetically predisposed to get sick from mold, while others can be around it and not feel any different.

Now, going back quickly to finding past water damage. Just because there is evidence of past water damage in a home does not necessarily mean mold ever grew there, or anywhere in the home. Repairing water damage sources quickly can prevent mold growth, which is why acting quickly when a problem arises is key!

Bottom line: if you have reason to believe there is mold somewhere in your home, investing in a professional mold inspection will likely be worth the investment to either find and remove the problem, or determine your home is clean and free of mold growth.