Investigating your own home for mold problems is certainly a step you should take, but if your sleuthing does not come up with solid evidence then you will need to get some testing done. Though it is an expense most homeowners would prefer to avoid, it can be a serious health issue and should not be taken lightly.

Investigating on your own before bringing in a professional is fine, so long as your investigations do not end up disturbing the growth and spreading the dangerous spores into the air.

> Remove spores with air purification

The easiest way to begin searching is to follow your nose; mold and mildew have a distinctive smell, which is generally associated with damp surroundings.

Indeed, it needs moisture to survive, so the best place to start is any area where you know there has been water leaking or seeping into the home. This could be something as large as a roof or plumbing leak, or simple condensation from constant steamy showers or an improperly tuned air conditioning unit.

Surface mold is easily detected, and generally easy to dispose of. Many commercial mold killers exist on the market and most do a fine job. The more insidious types, however, are often hidden behind walls or under carpets, and this is where specialized testing comes in.

Professional  testers have the tools and expertise to uncover any evidence hidden in many parts of the household. Often they will take cultures and grow the spores in a lab, to discover what kinds of mold are growing, and whether they are benign or dangerous. Though scent is a good indicator, it is not always practical to sniff around the entire home, and sometimes areas are missed. Also, some types are less ‘nose-worthy’ than others, though no less damaging to your families health.

If you have had a leak or flood or other water intensive problem in the home, there is a good chance that mold has had a chance to grow. The spores simply float around in the air, and it doesn’t take much to allow them to thrive.

However, unless the area remains moist, it will dry up. This doesn’t mean the problem is necessarily solved, as the spores still end up airborne, and ultimately breathed in.

If your own investigations have proved fruitless, but you are still convinced there may be moldy growths in the home, then testing is imperative. The cost can be significant, however, so it is best to try and find out as much on your own as possible. However, the cost is often worth it, when hidden problems are discovered in places you might not have expected.

It is also a good idea to have testing done when buying a home, as part of the general building inspection, as the history of the home is not always disclosed. In the event of a flood, professional mold removal services can be quite ruthless, often cutting out large pieces of wallboard to remove and sanitize breeding grounds. Some homeowners prefer to avoid the expense of this kind of large-scale disaster relief, but the result can often be hidden in the walls. As a home buyer, you want to be sure that you are not buying hidden mold as well.

Though testing can be expensive, if you suspect there may be mold but you have not been able to find any, it may be worth it. It can cause many serious illnesses, particularly respiratory sickness, so removing any signs is imperative. The cost of not testing for, and removing mould will ultimately be born by the health of your family.

By: Brent Craig

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

For more information on mold testing and household mold, please visit:
www.HealthyHomeFacts.com
Brent Craig is a writer and researcher with an interest in healthy home options.

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