Buyer's Guide
Molds are fungi which grow naturally in moist environments. If molds become airborne, they can cause health problems. Airborne molds can irritate eyes, nose, throat, lungs, skin, and mucous membranes. Exposure to mold can lead to allergic reactions, asthma attacks, respiratory infections, sinusitis, headaches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, cough, sore throats, eye irritation, and rashes.
Yes, it's safe to live in homes where there is mold growth. But, it's important to know whether mold poses a threat to human health. Generally speaking, mold grows in damp areas such as basements, bathrooms, kitchens, garages, attics, crawl spaces, and unfinished rooms. People living in these places are exposed to higher levels of moisture and humidity.
The main concern regarding exposure to mold is its ability to trigger allergies. Allergic reactions occur when someone has previously been sensitized by certain allergens. Once sensitized, the immune system responds to future exposures to the same allergens. An allergy attack causes symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, wheezing, itching, hives, swelling, redness, and difficulty breathing.
Remodeling projects involve extensive changes to the structure of a building. During remodels, construction workers must cut holes into walls, ceilings, floors, and roofs. Holes created during remodel projects expose the interior of the house to outside elements. Moisture seeps inside the house through cracks and openings. This moisture collects in hidden locations such as behind baseboards, along window sills, and beneath carpeting.
No, mold does not grow everywhere. Only specific conditions exist where mold thrives. For instance, mold cannot survive in dry climates. Likewise, mold cannot thrive in extremely hot temperatures. Additionally, mold needs constant moisture to grow.
Mold spreads via tiny microscopic organisms called molds. Spores released by molds travel through the air. When these spores land on wet surfaces, they germinate and begin growing. After several days, the mold produces visible colonies of fungus.
Common signs associated with mold growth include a foul odor, discoloration of affected surfaces, and dark spots appearing on woodwork.
Molds are everywhere! From food products to cosmetics, molds are found in almost everything we consume. Molds are essential parts of nature's cycle; however, they can pose serious health risks if left unchecked. If you've ever wondered why it seems like mold grows faster during rainy seasons, here's the reason behind it. Rainwater contains nutrients which feed mold growth. Thus, the more rain falls, the greater chance that mold spores will grow.
There are two main categories of mold - visible and invisible. Visible molds are those that appear on our skin or clothes. Invisible molds are those that remain unseen by the naked eye. Both kinds of molds cause problems for humans. Visible molds can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, lungs, and skin. Invisible molds can affect the brain, heart, liver, kidneys, bones, muscles, blood, and reproductive organs.
Yes, mold can be harmful.
According to the CDC, mold has been linked to numerous deaths each year. More specifically, mold was responsible for causing approximately 1, 300 deaths in 2011 alone. Although mold isn't dangerous per se, it does pose significant threats to human health.
Molds are fungi. Fungi are microscopic organisms that live on decaying organic matter. Unlike bacteria, fungi cannot survive outside of living creatures. Instead, they thrive inside of dead cells. Because of this, molds only grow where there is moisture present. Moisture comes in many forms, including air, soil, plants, animals, foods, drinks, and household items.
Home insurance premiums vary depending on several factors. One factor is whether or not you own a pet. Pets create additional risk for homeowners' insurance companies. Other factors include the type of building you reside in, its age, and the amount of coverage you purchase. Generally speaking, homes built before 1990 are considered older buildings. Older buildings are more likely to experience structural defects. Structural defects increase the chances of fire damage and loss of contents.
Molds are everywhere. From food products to cosmetics, molds are found in almost everything we consume. Molds grow naturally in our environment and are part of nature's cycle. But sometimes, molds become harmful to humans. That's why it's important to know which molds pose health risks and which ones are safe.
There are two main categories of mold tests: visual inspections and chemical analysis. Visual inspections involve simply viewing the sample visually. Chemical analyses involve taking samples of the material and analyzing them chemically. Both methods are effective ways to identify potential problems caused by molds.
The easiest way to spot mold growth is to view the product visually. If you see signs of mold growth, you should discard the item immediately. Otherwise, you might end up consuming something unsafe.
In contrast, chemical analysis involves taking samples of the material and analyzing them chemically. This method is more accurate than visual inspections. Chemicals react differently depending on the type of mold present. Thus, identifying the exact kind of mold requires chemical analysis.
Both methods of mold testing are expensive. Depending on the amount of money you're willing to invest, you can choose between either option.
It depends on the situation. If you suspect that a particular product contains dangerous levels of mold, then you should perform a chemical analysis. If you're unsure whether a certain item has mold, then you should opt for a visual inspection.
Molds are everywhere. From food molds to bathroom tiles, we see them everyday. Molds are found in our homes, offices, schools, hospitals, restaurants, factories, warehouses, and so forth. Unfortunately, molds grow rapidly and can cause serious health problems. If left untreated, molds can spread quickly throughout buildings and contaminate everything it touches. Thus, it's important to know which type of mold tests are needed before making major decisions regarding mold remediation.
There are three main categories of mold testing: visual inspections, air sampling, and moisture content analysis. Visual inspections involve taking pictures of areas suspected of containing mold. Air samples are taken by inserting special devices into vents and ductwork. Moisture content analyses involves measuring the amount of moisture present in a particular location. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages.
The easiest way to detect mold growth is via visual inspection. During a visual inspection, trained professionals examine the building and document findings. Although this method isn't foolproof, it does give us a good idea of where the problem lies. Furthermore, it doesn't require expensive machinery or specialized training. All you need is a camera and a pair of eyes.
Another common form of mold testing is air sampling. With this technique, technicians insert special tools into ventilation systems to collect airborne particles. Once collected, the sample is analyzed to determine whether mold spores are present. Since this method requires no physical contact with the suspect material, it's considered noninvasive. Moreover, it's fairly inexpensive.
Finally, moisture content analysis is another commonly performed mold test. This method measures the percentage of moisture present in a certain environment. Typically, this process takes several days. However, it's highly accurate and reliable. Because it relies on scientific principles, it's considered the gold standard among mold testers.
FAQs
A mold test is when a professional comes into your house and takes samples of mold spores from various areas of your home. These samples will then be sent off to a lab where they will identify what kind of mold is present.
You should expect to have a professional come into your home and take samples from various locations throughout your home. They will then send those samples off to a lab where they will analyze them to determine what type of mold is growing in each area.
Once all of your samples have been analyzed, we will provide you with a detailed report detailing everything that was found. We will also provide you with recommendations regarding how to remediate your home.
Our technicians are highly trained professionals who specialize in mold testing. All of our employees are required to successfully complete extensive training courses before being allowed to perform a mold test.
If you choose not to follow our recommendations, we cannot guarantee that your home won't continue to grow mold. Mold grows best in moist environments, so if you don't address the problem soon enough, it could spread quickly.
Not necessarily. Our goal is to make sure that your home doesn't contain harmful levels of mold. If you're willing to fix the issue, we can often recommend ways to keep your home safe.
While mold isn't always dangerous, it's important to understand that mold can pose serious health issues. When mold begins to grow inside your home, it can release toxic chemicals that can irritate your respiratory system. Additionally, mold can produce allergens that trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions.
Unfortunately, yes. Mold has caused numerous deaths due to its ability to create toxins that can harm humans. Even worse, mold can cause severe illness if inhaled. If you suspect that your home contains mold, immediately contact a professional.
Mold thrives in damp, humid environments. As mentioned above, moisture is necessary for mold growth. Additionally, certain types of soil can support mold growth. If you notice water leaking through walls or ceilings, check to ensure that no pipes are clogged.
Most commonly, mold is found in basements, bathrooms, kitchens, garages, crawl spaces, attics, and unfinished rooms. While mold can grow anywhere, it tends to thrive in dark, damp places.
To avoid having mold grow in your home, try to maintain proper humidity levels. Moisture is essential for mold to grow, but too much moisture can actually encourage mold growth.
