Your home is supposed to be a safe place, free from irritants. If mold is growing, it can hinder your health and create a dangerous situation. Many types of fungi can grow in your house, all which can cause allergy-like symptoms, such as coughing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the nose and throat.
Mold Testing
Mold testing should be done consistently to ensure a healthy living environment by inspectors that have been certified by the American Council for Accredited Certification to perform top-quality, trustworthy inspections, black mold testing, and mold removal.
How Often Should You Have Mold Testing Done?
Mold testing should be done on an annual basis. With heavier rainfalls or humidity than usual, consider a second inspection during the storm season. Unfortunately, fungi grow in the dark, damp locations, so the more moisture in your home, the more at risk you are for an infestation. Mold testing is a simple process that involves certified specialists visiting your home and taking an air sample through a spore trap. Through the use of dye and a microscope, the experts can determine how much, if any, fungi exists in your home.
Where Does Mold Grow?
Because mold and mildew thrive in humid locations, there are a few key places in your house to watch. High risk areas for mold include:
- Air conditioners
- Washing machines
- Chimneys
- Window sills
- Refrigerators
- Behind wanes coating
- Behind wood paneling
Bathrooms are another likely place. Mold can be present without being visible, but if you notice any fungi, call a mold removal professional to remove and sterilize the mold spot immediately.
What Are the Types of Mold?
Mold testing can identify different types of mold, thus informing the professionals how best to treat it. Some of the most common forms include:
Aspergillus
This is a black or green fungus that can often be found on the backs of toilets or in air ducts.
Chaetomium
A mold that is particularly musty in odor and often appears on drywall, carpets, and window frames.
Serpula lacrymans
Better known as “dry rot,” is yellow in color and eats away at the wood in your home.
Knowing the different types of mold and how to identify them can help you utilize the best methods to prevent or treat them.
Mold Testing is Important
Mold testing is an important, annual procedure that ensures the safety of your family and your home. Having testing done by a certified professional mold inspection company guarantees that an accurate reading and a thorough cleaning is done on your home.