Mold Inspection and Testing – Is It Necessary?

It’s important to be up front about the necessity of mold testing. Mold in the house is a common occurrence, and simply spotting it doesn’t necessarily mean that it should be tested for, or even professionally removed.

For example, mold around the bathtub or on tiles is more common because of running water, and not necessarily harmful. Yet there are specific circumstances when mold can be extremely harmful to your family’s health, and the structure of the home.

The Mold Fear Factor

Because mold can cause significant damage, and be detrimental to health, people often panic when they see it. Because of this, there are mold remediation companies that are less than truthful with their customers, and may charge expensive rates to remove mold that is harmless to the home occupants’ health.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), mold testing is usually only necessary when visible mold is present. Yet there is no federal guideline for determining the threshold amount that presents danger to the occupant of the home.

When is Mold Testing Necessary?

This is admittedly a tricky question, since household mold is extremely common, yet there are types and situations that can be extremely dangerous. Below are some times when testing and the help of a remediation professional is necessary:

• When the smell of mold is present, but it’s not necessarily visible. In this circumstance a mold test can reveal the type and level of mold, and what risk you may be under.
• If you’ve had plumbing issues, leaks, or other water issues in the location. Elevated mold levels can follow, after the presence of water.
• If a family member or occupant of the home has experienced health issues recently including coughing, sneezing, headaches, joint pain, or other autoimmune-type issues.
• Post mold removal testing can determine whether the initial issue has been resolved.
• A mold test during a real estate transaction can offer an added level of protection for home buyers or sellers.
• Any time there is a dispute over mold between a landlord or tenant.

When Will You Need a Professional Mold Remediation Company?

Whether you need a professional mold inspector depends on the size of the mold problem and the surface that it’s growing on. If it’s the common form of bathroom mold, you’ll likely not need the help of a professional.

But for the larger cases, and where the mold is more toxic and dangerous, a professional mold inspector is a significant asset. He will be able to detect the spots where hidden mold may be present, better than the non-professional.

If the mold is widespread and underneath drywall, a professional mold remediator would be able to help you assess and fix the problem. Mold in damp, tough to reach places like attics or crawl spaces most frequently require the help of a professional as well.

Are You Looking to Hire a Professional Mold Remediator in the Maryland Area?

The good news is that you don’t have to sit and wonder if the mold that you are suspicious of is harming your home or your health. You can act now, by contacting a local mold remediation company to find out what kind of problem you might be dealing with.

We Restoration is an experienced water and mold remediation company located in the Maryland-Virginia-Washington D.C. area. If you have any questions, or would like to talk about your specific case, contact us today!