Mold Inspection in Rancho Palos Verdes, California For Peace of Mind During Home Purchasing and Selling

Mold poses a hazard to humans and pets and deteriorates building components and possessions. Mold testing from a certified mold inspection service is extremely recommended before buying a house in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Retaining a mold inspection before selling your house can also provide clarity and speed up the closing process.

Pillar To Post™ Home Inspectors is widely esteemed as the premier home inspection service trusted by millions of homeowners, soon-to-be homebuyers, and real estate agents. Defend your family and your investment by choosing us when looking for mold inspection near me.

Is Finding a Professional Mold Evaluation Worth the Price?

Mold is a kind of fungus that thrives in warm and damp environments, and is commonly found inside houses with abundant moisture. It can present in a range of colors, from black and green to white and orange, and thrives in spaces with high humidity, water damage, or poor airflow. It can be present on cellulose-based items, including walls, ceilings, floors, carpets, and even paper. A mold inspector will typically search for evidence of leaks and water in a house to locate the source of mold growth.

While some types of mold are benign, others have been known to cause health issues, especially for individuals who are at risk. Individuals with allergies, asthma, or weakened immune systems have been known to suffer symptoms such as nasal congestion, coughing, wheezing, and rash. Pets are sometimes negatively impacted by mold, with common symptoms of respiratory distress, vomiting, and digestive issues. Black mold is of specific concern in Rancho Palos Verdes, California and an important component of a professional mold inspection will be identifying the species present to understand the risk and develop a plan for mitigation.

It’s ok if you're concerned about the health of yourself or your family and make inquiries relating to the effect of mold exposure. One question our mold inspectors are often asked is if they're able to assess a person for mold exposure? We cannot offer that as a part of our mold inspection service, however, there are a variety of ways it can be conducted by your doctor, including dermal, blood, and urine testing.

While mold may not always pose a significant risk to the health of most people, it’s particularly harmful for many common building materials found inside of homes. Mold spores occupy and devour plant-based materials and ruin them over time. Examples of cellulose or plant-based materials found inside of buildings are:

  • Drywall
  • Wood
  • Carpet
  • Insulation
  • Ceiling tiles
  • Wallpaper
  • Fabrics
  • Upholstery
  • Some Painted surfaces
  • Paper
  • Cardboard
  • And More

Mold testing is highly advisable when acquiring a house or if you currently live inside a house with visible signs of mold growth and odor. The risk is that the fungus can disseminate widely, becoming more costly to eliminate and triggering more damage to a home as time goes on. A professional mold inspector has the right knowledge and testing equipment to evaluate surfaces and air for mold spores not otherwise seen. An adequate mold inspection service will offer prospective homebuyers with the insights they need to make smarter decisions about their investment and give existing homeowners information into what needs to be done to prevent further spread of the fungus and eliminate it completely.

Some people ask if a mold inspection service can test people for exposure to the fungus, but this is beyond the scope of a home mold inspector and should be done by your healthcare provider through dermal and blood tests. If you think or know that you or a family member has been exposed to mold, talk to your doctor about the hazards and to know if any personal testing is warranted.

You’ll Find a Lot of Benefits From the Focus and All-Encompassing Actions of Our Mold Inspectors

Choose us when looking for mold inspection near me in Rancho Palos Verdes, California for a thorough mold inspection and peace of mind. Our mold inspectors are trained in the latest technology and have in-depth knowledge of home construction to evaluate the air and surfaces for mold spores. Our mold testing will give you the deepest insights into the current state of your home regarding mold infestation and the next steps you can take to address the problem. Our process includes:

  • Initial Assessment: The mold inspector from Pillar To Post™ gathers data about the home, any identified mold issues, and your concerns during the initial consultation to create a plan for mold testing.
  • Visual Inspection: The following step of our mold inspection service involves a detailed visual assessment of the home, both inside and out, scanning for signs of mold growth, water intrusion, and other moisture-related concerns. We check areas vulnerable to mold infestation, like subterranean levels, crawl spaces, bathrooms, attics, and areas with plumbing or HVAC systems.
  • Moisture detection: Measuring moisture content in areas around the house is essential in identifying likely sources of mold spread. Moisture meters and other tools are used to assess the moisture levels inside building materials and pinpoint areas with high humidity or water intrusion behind walls, under flooring, or in other concealed spaces. Thermal-imaging tools may be used to detect areas where mold infestation may be occurring.
  • Air Sampling: Mold testing may call for air samples to be collected from multiple areas of the home using specific equipment. The air samples will be sent to a laboratory for evaluation to confirm the type and concentration of mold spores found in the air.
  • Surface Sampling: If mold infestation is presumed but not visible, the inspector could take surface samples from areas such as walls, ceilings, or other areas. This involves wiping or tape-lifting a small sample, which is also sent to a laboratory for analysis.
  • Documentation and Reporting: An in-depth report will be provided to clients after the mold inspection is finished, including any areas of the home where mold was identified, the species of mold present, and guidance for remediation.
  • Recommendations and Remediation Plan: If mold is found, the inspector may offer guidance for mold remediation, which may involve hiring an expert mold remediation service. They may suggest steps to reduce moisture intrusions, improve air circulation, and prevent future mold growth.
  • Follow-up and Clearance Testing: A post-remediation inspection may be conducted to ensure that the remediation efforts were productive and that the mold issue has been correctly addressed.
  • Education and Prevention: The inspector enlightens the client about mold precaution methods, including appropriate air circulation, moisture control, and maintenance practices.

Is There Anything I Need To Do To Prepare for a Mold Inspection?

You don't need to do a lot in preparation for a mold inspection besides ensuring that your inspector can effortlessly reach parts of the house where you suspect mold growth. It is also advised to make arrangements for pets to be outdoors of the house during the course of the testing period to make sure that the results of the inspection are not affected by pet dander or other allergens.

Some things you should avoid doing to ensure the accuracy of the inspection include:

  • Refrain from cleaning with chemicals in any portions of the house where you observe mold growth to be growing.
  • Do not use air pumps or air filters when the testing is being conducted, as these can degrade the accuracy of the data.
  • If possible, refrain from participating in activities like cooking, smoking, or utilizing chemical-releasing products in the indoor environment for at least 24 hours before the inspection. This measure will help in avoiding the inspection data from being impacted by other airborne contaminants.

It is also recommended to keep all windows and doors closed for at least 12 hours before the inspection. This step ensures that the environment inside the house stays still and correctly represents the standard indoor air quality. By adhering to these guidelines, you will enhance the precision of your mold inspection service and examination.

Safeguard Your Home Investment by Getting in Touch With Us for Reliable Mold Inspection Services Right Away

Mold is a quickly spreading fungus that devours many building materials and household possessions. Allowing mold colonization to get out of hand can cause substantial damages that will require a lot of effort and financial resources to repair. The fungus also poses a possible concern to at-risk individuals and pets. A thorough mold inspection is the most reliable tool for identifying the underlying cause of the issue and developing a strategy for cleanup. If you're searching for a mold inspection near me in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, Pillar To Post™ is the most dependable due to our cutting-edge technology and vast expertise. Arrange a date for our mold inspection services today to acquire the information necessary for informed decision-making and protecting your investment and loved ones.