Mold Inspection Tips

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If you discover a problem with mold and have hired someone to have your home tested, please don’t think that testing for mold is the same as a mold inspection because it’s not. There is a difference and unfortunately many homeowners are unaware of this.

In fact, mold testing is only a small part of what’s involved in inspecting for mold (fungus). In most cases, a reputable inspector will identify the source and extent of any mold issues that you have in your home and determine if you are dealing with black mold. However, it’s not required by law to do so and homeowners need to understand that lab results from tests are simply not enough information to decide if there is really a mold problem or not.

A sure sign that your inspector is only testing for mold is if he or she tells you to call the lab to get the results of your report. A reputable inspector will give you a report that should include:

1. The lab results

2. A summary that documents any suspect conditions

3. Source of mold that has been identified and recommendations for correcting the problem

4. An infrared thermal imaging survey of the home

5. Any photos showing signs of moisture problems and suspected fungus.

The inspector should also be able to explain the report and answer any questions that you may have about the report and his or her findings. And while hiring an inspector may seem like a waste of time, it’s not and can cost around $300 for an average-sized home.

So why is it not a waste of time? If you’re home is overrun by mold, they can be extremely harmful to your health, especially around little ones, pets and the elderly.

Molds have been linked to both asthma and severe asthma and are often the cause of chronic sinus infections. They can also cause even more serious health issues such as bleeding of the lungs, depression and even death.

And while many people don’t really believe that mold can cause any serious health problems, there’s another concern. Molds that are left unchecked can result in extensive damage and the need for mold removal services, which can run homeowners thousands of dollars.

And if they refuse to give in to hiring a professional, they’ll be scrubbing the moldy areas on a continuous basis, which can waste precious time that can be spent on other activities with their family. And even with all of that constant scrubbing, the fungus is still going to cause a lot of structural damage and you could end up losing your home.

So you really are better off hiring a certified mold inspector who is trained to search every area of you home and offer you a professional mold inspection report. Otherwise you may end up having to pay thousands of dollars just to repair the damages done by the fungus. Stopping the problem in its tracks now is the only way you and your family can breathe a healthy sigh of relief in your home once again.