When you discover mold in your home, you might feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. While there are many steps involved in getting rid of mold, having a plan of action can help minimize the potential impact on your family's health and well-being.
The very first thing to consider is whether or not you have a mold problem. If you suspect that your home could be infested with mold, contact a professional mold remediation expert immediately. This step is critical because mold spores can live anywhere - even inside furniture, carpeting, walls, and ceilings.
Once you've determined that you have a mold issue, you'll want to take care of it as soon as possible. Because mold thrives in warm, humid environments, you'll want to keep humidity levels low and air quality high. You'll also want to ensure that the area where mold is growing is thoroughly cleaned.
If you're dealing with a small amount of mold growth, you can use common household cleaning products like bleach and vinegar to kill off the mold. However, if you notice signs of a larger-scale problem, such as blackened surfaces or water damage, you'll want to call in the professionals.
While some people think that mold causes health problems, it actually doesn't pose much risk to humans. But if you find yourself coughing up mucus or experiencing headaches, runny noses, eye irritation or skin rashes, you should consult a doctor.
Mold inspection vs. mold testing
When it comes to mold inspections, there are several types of companies out there offering similar services. Some offer basic visual assessments, while others use sophisticated equipment to detect mold. Others still offer a combination of the two, such as a visual assessment followed up by a second round of testing using specialized equipment.
The cost of a mold inspection varies widely depending on where you live and the level of sophistication offered by the inspector. A typical inspection could run anywhere from $150 to $500 per room. In some cases, the cost includes the removal of visible mold, while in others it does not.
If you want to know whether you really have a mold problem, you'll probably want to consider getting tested. This typically involves collecting air samples and sending them off to a lab for analysis. Depending on the type of mold, the number of spores found, and the location of those spores within the house, the cost of a mold test can range anywhere from $50 to $1,200. Again, this price varies based on the level of sophistication offered and the area being sampled.
Signs of Mold
Mold is one of those things you never want to see in your home, especially if you are renting. Mold spores can grow anywhere there is moisture and warmth, such as inside your house, basement, attic, or crawl space. You might think that mold just grows naturally, but it actually needs help to thrive.
If you notice black spots on surfaces, including wallpaper, paint, drywall, wood, or carpeting, you could be looking at the mold. Oftentimes, people don't realize that they have mold growing in their homes because it doesn't look like much. In fact, some molds are invisible to the naked eye. But even though it's hard to recognize, visible mold is still dangerous. If you're seeing black spots, chances are good that mold is growing somewhere in your home.
How do you know if you have mold? These are several ways to tell if you have mold.
Who to call for mold inspection?
The best way to determine whether or not your home has been damaged by water intrusion is to contact a professional inspector. To locate an experienced home inspector near you, check out https://octopushomeinspections.com/.
When should you call an expert for mold?
If you suspect that there may be water damage due to a leaky roof, plumbing problem, or other issues, then you should contact an expert immediately. Mold spores can grow quickly in moist environments, so you want to address these problems before they become serious health hazards.
In addition to getting rid of the mold itself, you will need to remove all of its contents. The best way to do this is to hire a professional who specializes in mold removal. They will know exactly which steps to take to completely clean out the affected areas.
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