Whether you are buying a home or just looking to keep your family safe, conducting a home inspection is a great idea. There are many positives that come with a home inspection. The team of inspectors is able to inspect all of the systems in your home. Additionally, they offer additional services during the home inspection. Do home inspectors check for mold? Yes, home inspectors will do a visual inspection and in some cases will do mold sampling.
Let’s take a look below at what’s involved with mold testing.
What Is Mold?
Mold is not something that any homeowner really wants to get involved with. It can be a health issue depending on the type of mold that is involved. Mold is a fungus that can be present in a variety of shapes and colors. Green, gray, black, orange, pink, and white is just a few colors in that mold can be present. Most hiding places for mold include the bathroom, basement, attic, ceiling, under your floors, and between the walls. Typically, mold likes to grow in damp and dark places.
Where Can Mold Grow?
Mold has a tendency to grow in any place where moisture and dampness are prevalent. Let’s take a look at some popular places where mold grows.
- Poor ventilation – If your home has poor ventilation or indoor plants with a lot of moisture, mold can find a solid breeding ground.
- Flooding – Basements or others areas of the home that experience flooding or excessive moisture are breeding grounds for mold.
- Buildings – If the building is sealed tightly and there is high moisture, then mold will grow rather quickly.
- Pipes, windows, or the roof – If you have leaks around any of the areas like the pipes, windows, or the roof, mold will develop. Be sure that all areas of your home are sealed properly so that mold cannot grow.
How Do I Test for Mold?
Testing for mold is possible with a variety of different pieces of equipment. Let’s take a look at what the options are for the mold inspector.
- Small vacuum machine – This machine sucks in the air and separates the particles in the air. If there is mold, it will be captured in the vacuum filters.
- Humidity reader – This device measures the amount of water in the air.
- Moisture meter – This device measures the moisture levels in the entire home.
- Thermometer – This device checks the temperature of the home.
- Camer with a flashlight – This allows the inspector to identify mold on the walls where it is visible.
- Thermography camera – This device measures moisture and water leaks inside the walls. Also, it checks the temperatures of the walls in the home.
Other Recommended Maintenance
Now that you are aware of how a mold inspection takes place, be sure to follow up and ask if mold sampling is also conducted. This is very important because if the mold type is black, you and your family will need to relocate until mold remediation occurs.
Next, read up on how long mold remediation takes. You will want this information so that you and your family can plan out a budget. It is likely that you will need a hotel stay or to move in with other family or friends for a while.
Lastly, take a look at your furnace filter. If it is dirty, it will not allow your furnace to work properly. Also, this changes the moisture and humidity in the home. Consequently, this allows mold to grow rapidly. Make sure that all required maintenance in your home is completed in a timely manner.
When Do I Call A Professional?
Dealing with mold is a stressful situation. Getting your local home inspection team to come out and conduct a mold inspection while doing a full home inspection is smart. They can look for mold in all kinds of nooks and hidden places. Having this type of inspection done whether you are buying a home or just looking to ensure your current home is safe, is always a great idea.
Conclusion
Before moving into a home, the home inspection team will have conducted a complete home inspection. This includes a mold inspection. If the home is free and clear, you will be good to proceed with the purchase. Additionally, if you have a home inspection just to protect your family’s health and safety, this too will generate a mold inspection. Consequently, if mold is found, they will recommend a mold remediation service. Reach out to ACE Preferred Inspections for a full home inspection in the low country of South Carolina.
