Mold, as you might know, is a microscopic living organism. You’ve probably found it on a piece of forgotten bread or in the back of the refrigerator. However, this fungus does not only develop on rotten food. Instead, it creates airborne spores that quickly settle and form on various surfaces if made of cellulose. Examples are wood, natural fabrics such as cotton and wool, leather, paper, and cardboard.

Mold Detection Methods

Other mold strains are very toxic and dangerous to human health. Therefore, detecting and eliminating mold in your house immediately is important. Here’s how to spot whether you have mold:

1. Mold Inspection

Mold can show up in different colors, including black, green, grey, and white. Mold is commonly described as having a “furry” look and appears in spots, such as on external walls, in tile grouting, on clothing, or in closets – i.e., locations that are or have been damp/wet. Regular mold inspections can often detect a problem before it becomes too serious. Check this page to know more about mold.

2. Thorough Basement Inspection

We hardly ever enter into these areas, and when we do, it’s usually to get rid of things we no longer want. However, because of leaks or undetected water infiltration, they provide a breeding place for mold. Therefore, as part of your mold detection routine, these areas have to be checked regularly. Checking for leaks, moist spots, and mold growth must be a top priority, especially before the winter begins.

3. Musty Odor

Mold creates a distinct “musty” odor as it feeds on the surface it is developing. While mold may not be seen, if a room or part of your home smells tiny, musty, or earthy and is overall bad, it’s time to get serious about mold detection. Look under carpets, behind wall pictures, behind furniture, behind wallpaper (which, if moist, will probably be peeling at the edges anyway), behind baseboards, etc. Each of these areas could be nurturing possibly toxic mold.

4. Unseen Mold

Whether you perform intensive mold detection searches or not, tiny mold may be present in your home. Regular problems with a stuffed-up nose and irritation in the throat and eyes are telltale signs that this is the case. This kind of mold is often described as the most dangerous. Especially since the only signs of its presence are the physical symptoms it produces and the “musty” odor it releases. In this case, it is definitely a task for specialists.

5. Mold Detection Kits

These kits are available in different forms and for a variety of uses. For example, you can buy kits that just detect the presence of mold. Others will enable you to determine the mold strain, while others will allow you to test the air quality in your home. You can get results from these mold detection kits in a matter of days or even hours in some cases. However, others will require you to package them and send them to a laboratory for analysis – probably at an additional expense.

6. Hire a Mold Inspector

As previously stated, in some situations, leaving mold detection to the professionals is the only option, particularly if you were incapable of spotting mold development during your own inspection. A mold inspector must discover unseen mold and have the necessary tools to do the required testing. Check out the PuroClean restoration services for more information.

Conclusion

Mold is a problem many individuals face in their properties, even when properly maintained and cleaned regularly. Mold remediation professionals can also assist you in identifying probable sources of mold growth before the spores spread. Whether you test for mold on your own or call a specialist from the start, you’ll want to hire a mold elimination service if you find mold in your home. They have the equipment, experience, and tools needed to quickly, safely, and totally eliminate all mold evidence.