Mold testing can reveal a possible mold problem in your home. It can help you find hidden mold, measure indoor air quality, and identify what species of mold is in your home.

Signs of Mold Growth

Beyond visibly seeing mold in your home, there are other signs that can suggest a mold problem. Whether you have had recent water damage, noticed a musty odor, or developed allergies from being inside your home, these could all be signs that there is mold growing indoors.

Living molds may produce mycotoxins, which are poisonous substances that can cause adverse reactions if inhaled, digested or touched. While some mycotoxins have been shown to cause health effects, little is known about the potentially harmful effects of other mycotoxins. Regardless, it’s best to stay away from mold and mycotoxins, and to immediately have an indoor mold inspection or testing done.

Mold Inspections

After narrowing the possibility of a mold problem, you should first consider having a mold inspection. Indoor mold inspections help to identify the presence of mold and where it is growing in your home. Even if you can physically see the mold, an inspection would be beneficial because visible mold growth suggests that there is more mold growing in other hidden areas. Mold thrives in moist and typically warmer environments, so it’s a good idea to pay special attention to areas around water sources and places that have a history of water damage.

The Moment You’ve Been Waiting for… The Mold Testing

Upon finding the culprit, mold testing is performed to identify the degree of mold contamination and the type of mold that is present. On the other hand, if no mold was found during the inspection, a test can be helpful to track down any hidden mold. Mold tests are typically the last step in the mold tracking process, and can also be used to ensure that the mold remediation was successful.

Types of Mold Testing

The most common type of mold testing is air sampling. Air samples can be used to analyze the mold spores that are present inside of a house. This type of testing is encouraged when individuals living inside the home are experiencing health issues, which may be an allergic response to the mold. Air sampling is helpful when comparing particle levels and air quality before and after mold remediation, and to make sure the mold was completely removed. Other types of mold testing include surface mold or swab mold testing. Both of these types involve taking a sample directly from the mold and having it tested in a lab.

Call a Professional and Get Rid of That Mold!

In the end, when you’re dealing with any mold situation in your home, it’s best to leave the job to a professional. Removing mold yourself can be risky, as some types of mold can be bad for your health, including those pesky mycotoxins. No matter what type of mold, mycotoxin or not, you should have a mold remediation done immediately.