Mold, as you may know, is a microscopic living organism. You’ve probably come across it on a piece of forgotten bread or behind the refrigerator. However, this fungus does not only develop on rotten food. Instead, it creates airborne spores that readily settle and grow on various surfaces if made of cellulose. Examples are wood, natural fabrics such as cotton and wool, leather, paper, and cardboard.
Mold Detection Methods
Other mold strains are very toxic and dangerous to human health. As a result, identifying and eliminating mold in your house immediately is crucial. Here’s how to find whether you have mold:
1. Mold Inspection
Mold can show up in various colors, including black, green, grey, and white. Mold is usually described as having a “furry” look and appears in patches, such as on external walls, in tile grouting, on clothes, or in wardrobes – i.e., locations that are or have been damp/wet. Regular mold inspections can usually identify a problem before it becomes too severe.
2. Thorough Basement Inspection
We hardly ever enter these places, and when we do, it’s usually to eliminate things we no longer want. However, due to leaks or unnoticed water infiltration, they give a breeding ground for mold. For that reason, as part of your mold detection routine, these places need to be checked regularly. Checking for leaks, wet areas, and mold growth should be the main priority, especially before winter.
3. Moldy Smell
Mold creates a distinct “musty” smell as it feeds on the surface it is developing. While mold may not be noticeable, if a room or part of your home smells tiny, moldy, or earthy and is overall awful, it’s time to get serious about mold detection. Look underneath carpets, behind wall pictures, behind furniture, behind wallpaper (which, if wet, will probably be peeling off at the edges anyway), behind baseboards, etc. Each of these areas could be nurturing potentially toxic mold.
4. Hidden Mold
Whether you conduct intensive mold detection searches or not, tiny mold may be present in your home. Regular troubles with a stuffed-up nose and irritation in the throat and eyes are telltale signs that this is the case. This kind of mold is often referred to as the most dangerous. Especially since the only signs of its presence are the physical signs it produces and the “musty” odor it emits. In this case, it is definitely a task for professionals. If you’re looking for the best restoration companies, you can find them here.
5. Mold Detection Kits
These kits are available in various forms and for a variety of uses. For example, you can buy kits that just detect the presence of mold. Others will allow you to identify the mold strain, while others will allow you to test the air quality in your home. You can get results from these mold detection kits in a matter of days or maybe hours in some cases. However, others will need you to package them and submit them to a laboratory for analysis – possibly at an additional cost.
6. Hire a Mold Inspector
As previously stated, in some cases, leaving mold detection to the specialists is the only option, particularly if you were incapable of detecting mold development throughout your own inspection. A mold inspector must find the unseen mold and have the necessary tools to do the necessary testing. Visit PuroClean Indianapolis to find out more about mold removal.
Conclusion
Mold is a problem many individuals deal with in their homes, even when properly maintained and cleaned regularly. Mold removal experts can also help you in identifying probable sources of mold development before the spores spread. However, whether you check for mold yourself or call a specialist from the start, you’ll have to hire a mold elimination service if you discover mold in your home. They have the equipment, experience, and tools needed to quickly, safely, and totally eliminate all mold evidence.
