Q1. Why is mold a concern?
Mold is potentially hazardous to your health. It causes a number of health concerns, including allergic reactions and respiratory problems. Persons especially susceptible to irritations from mold include the elderly, newborns, those with asthma, or a compromised immune system. Additionally, mold breaks down organic material such as drywall and wood that can cause structural damage to a home if left to grow and spread.
Q2. How do I know if a house I am buying has mold?
The best way to be sure if a house has mold is to have it inspected by a professional. Often there are signs of water damage or a musty odor. These are indications you may have mold. Obtain the services of an environmental mold professional, who will perform an inspection of the property using sophisticated equipment to confirm the presence of mold.
Q3. Can I find the mold and just fix the problem myself?
You may see mold, but it likely is also hiding somewhere you can’t see. Mold is often found behind dry wall, in ceiling tiles, under carpets, inside walls, around leaky pipes, in ductwork, and in attics and crawlspaces. Investigation of hidden mold problems is best done by an environmental professional, who has the proper equipment to detect hidden mold. If there is mold growing in an area of your home, an untrained person is likely to disturb the site and cause mold spores to spread. Hiring an experienced professional will protect you from this mistake.
Q4. My home inspector found mold, now what?
Once you have discovered mold, you need to locate the moisture problem and correct it promptly. Call a professional who will carefully contain the area, remove the mold, and treat the area to prevent further mold growth. In some instances they may need to check for possible structural damage.
Q5. How do you check for mold?
There are different ways to detect the presence of mold, including a visual inspection, air sampling, surface sampling, bulk testing, moisture evaluation, and borescope. There are many different types of mold. Laboratory testing can identify the species of mold present in your home.
Q6. Are mold levels regulated by the law?
There are no federal laws or standards regulating types or levels of mold found in a residential setting. Mold testing and remediation follows industry guidelines to remediate and test mold.
