MOLD TESTING

Mold Testing

Worried about mold?  If you had any water sort of water leak or water damage then there is a good chance that you have mold. Mold can grow in as little as 24-48 hours.  Even when a company has dried out the water damage straight away, there is often mold growth that goes unnoticed. Mold Testing to check for mold spores in the air is often necessary to determine if you have mold. Covering Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas.

What is Mold?

Mold is a fungus that destroys building materials in our homes when they get wet.

Mold reproduces and spreads by microscopic mold spores in the air.  To grow, all it needs is moisture and organic material.

Mold spores travel through the air, and we breathe them in. If the levels are elevated, it can affect our health, especially those with existing respiratory problems or compromised immune systems.

 

Do I Need a Mold Test?

Mold is one of those sneaky perpetrators that are often very successful in going unnoticed. Although mold is everywhere, and many times it may be harmless, certain types of mold can be very harmful to your health, as is an elevated level of mold spores in the air.  It is important to know what signs you should look for throughout your home to ensure there is not a dangerous mold infestation. Below is a guide to help you know when you need to get your home inspected for mold.

Wise Home Inspections is a professional mold inspection, mold detection, and mold testing company and has a licensed Mold Assessor on staff. An unbiased home mold inspection or commercial mold inspection will be done with no conflict of interest. We do not perform mold remediation.

When Should A Mold Inspection or Mold Testing Be Considered?

When we do a home inspection, we also do a visual inspection for any signs of mold. Unfortunately, mold is not always visible.  When buying a home, mold may not be obvious, or the Seller may even have hidden the problem.  This is when taking air samples and sending them to the lab can be valuable. We spend up to 90% of our time indoors but are not always aware of the health hazards created by mold.

Infants, immuno-compromised individuals, and the elderly may be more susceptible to the effects of mold

Those who have increased sensitivity to mold or have asthma or allergies should especially consider doing an air quality test for mold.

Indications that there may be a mold problem are generally a moldy smell. However, we have often found mold where there was no noticeable smell.  Never ignore mold odors, even if you can’t see any mold.  A mold inspection and mold test can tell you whether there is an elevated mold level and where it is located in your house. Although most of the time, you won’t see the existing mold, your body’s symptoms may reveal you have a problem. Many cases have happened where a patient has a health issue that they do not know the cause of but seems to be related to mold symptoms (headaches, coughing, sneezing, asthma, etc.). This will often be associated with being in a certain room. A mold inspection and test may help to confirm suspicions that a mold problem exists, and the problem can be quickly fixed to ensure you don’t experience further health problems.

Michael provides a thorough and detailed inspection. Professional and friendly. Recommend him with no reservations! Thank you for helping us in our first home buying experience. Your feedback on the home was so helpful! Aaron – Review of Wise Home Inspection By Aaron Means

If you are noticing symptoms such as difficulty breathing, sneezing, itching, runny nose, congestion, and dry, scaling skin when you are inside, then the mold is a possible cause. Mold spores get into your nose and cause hay fever symptoms. They also can affect the lungs and trigger asthma.

If there has been a past water event or leak, then mold testing is recommended. Mold can grow in as little as 24 to 48 hours.    This could be from a storm, plumbing leaks, improper insulation, ventilation or grading, construction defects, or condensation from the air conditioning system.   Often, Sellers will fix the plumbing leak or replace the water heater but fail to realize that there is mold growing.  Mold could be hiding in a myriad of areas. In the bathroom, mold could be under the sink, around the shower, or even in the ceiling. In the kitchen, it could also be under the sink or behind the refrigerator.  Other places to check are around air conditioning vents, the air conditioning coils and around the air handler, the laundry, around the water heater, and behind wallpaper.

If your house has previously been affected by mold, it may be wise to verify that all sources of moisture have been successfully stopped and that no residual mold growth has been left after a known water and mold problem has been fixed. On this note, if you are planning on renting or purchasing a new home, it is important to get a mold inspection to confirm that there is not an existing moisture or mold problem.

What is Black Mold?

Black mold is a misleading term, as many species of mold can be black.  One of the most toxic mold species (sometimes referred to as black mold)  is known as stachybotros. It has several known toxins and can potentially create allergies such as hayfever and asthma.

Benefits of Mold Testing

Mold Testing lets you know if you have any hidden mold, what kind of mold you may have, help you avoid any potential health risks, help you avoid the possibility of expensive remediation in the future, and peace of mind when buying a home. The laboratory that does our testing will also give you a 9 Day Mold Free Warranty.

Your home inspector will generally take one air sample per 1000 square feet.  Your home inspector will also collect a swab or tape sample from any visible mold growth.

You’ll receive next-day results from a certified laboratory, and an easy-to-understand report emailed to you within 24 hours of the inspection. We offer a MOLD  inspection where we search out areas of potential mold growth and take direct samples or air samples to see if there is mold, if the mold is elevated, to see what types of mold you have, and to give recommendations on what steps to take next.

Insurance Claims for Mold

If you have a significant water or mold problem, a Mold Assessment by a licensed Mold Assessor is recommended. A Mold Assessment is a comprehensive assessment of the property to determine the causes of mold and provides a mold remediation plan (protocol) in addition to any testing.  This should be done by a company independent of the remediation company so that there is no conflict of interest.  You may also want to make an insurance claim. In this case, the more facts you have to present to the insurance company, the better, as the insurance adjuster is usually under pressure to pay you the least amount possible. In fact, a Public Adjuster may be needed to help you win your case against your insurance carrier.

Limitations of Mold Testing

Taking air samples will only detect airborne mold.  It will not detect mold that is encapsulated behind the wall or under the flooring.  The good news is that if mold is encapsulated, then you are not breathing it.