A Professional Mold Evaluation Before Considering Purchasing or Listing a Home Near Winnebago, IL Will Provide Boosted Peace of Mind

Your skilled mold inspector will provide you with a precise and detailed report that will give you a route forward for remediation and making informed decisions about your investment. Gain better insights into the condition of a house and defend its occupants with comprehensive mold testing from your neighbors at Pillar To Post™.

How Is This Fungus So Worrisome to the Health of Humans and Pets and the Structural Integrity of a Home?

The spores of mold are always in the surrounding environment, only becoming noticeable when conditions are acceptable to it, and the fungus finds an ideal surface to colonize. The fungus most often prefers dim and humid spaces. Among other benefits, your expert mold inspector will pinpoint the source of the moisture – whether it’s from recent flooding or leaks – to help you develop a strategy for remediation. Mold can be nearly any color, including red, green, yellow, white, and black, which is typically associated with a particularly dangerous species, Stachybotrys chartarum, known to induce dangerous reactions in certain individuals and pets.

Though this fungus is not dangerous for most people, it does lead to serious aesthetic issues and a damp odor. Even worse, the fungus eats the surfaces that it colonizes, damaging materials and degrading the structural stability of a house over time. It eats cellulose materials that are ubiquitous in just about every household, including:

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

Mold testing is urgently suggested when purchasing a house or if you currently live inside a house with visible signs of mold growth and odor. The danger is that the fungus can disseminate fiercely, becoming more expensive to eliminate and causing more damage to a home as time goes on. A trained mold inspector has the proper knowledge and testing equipment to evaluate surfaces and air for mold spores you cannot see. An adequate mold inspection service will provide prospective homebuyers with the insights needed to make informed decisions about their investment and give current homeowners information into what needs to be done to prevent further spread of the fungus and eliminate it altogether.

Some people inquire if a mold inspection service can test people for contact with the fungus, but this is outside the scope of a home mold inspector and should be conducted by your healthcare provider through skin and blood tests. If you believe or discover that you or a family member has been exposed to mold, consult with your doctor about the risks and to know if any personal testing is needed.

How Is an Expert Mold Inspection Carried Out?

An expert mold inspection service will deliver a comprehensive examination of a property to identify the presence of mold and determine the scope of the infestation. The particular procedures for a dependable mold inspection may differ depending on the property size, but typically includes:

• Initial Assessment: The mold inspector collects information from the current homeowner regarding any noticeable mold growth, water leakage, or indoor air quality concerns. Musty smells or health symptoms presented by individuals will also be checked.
• Visual Inspection: The next step of our mold inspection service involves a meticulous visual examination of the property, both inside and out, inspecting for signs of mold growth, water intrusion, and other moisture-related problems. We investigate areas inclined to mold infestation, including subterranean levels, crawl spaces, bathrooms, attics, and spaces with plumbing or HVAC units.
• Moisture detection: Your mold inspector could use moisture detection equipment, such as a moisture meter or thermal imaging camera, to pinpoint areas of the home that have abnormal levels of moisture to help detect areas where mold is likely to grow.
• Air Sampling: Mold testing may require air samples to be acquired from several areas of the home using advanced equipment. The air samples will be dispatched to a laboratory for analysis to identify the type and concentration of mold spores detected in the air.
• Surface Sampling: The inspector may also obtain surface samples from spaces of the property where the fungus is suspected. These samples will be dispatched to a laboratory for analysis to identify the type of mold detected.
• Documentation and Reporting: A detailed report will be given to clients after the mold inspection is complete, including any areas of the home where mold was found, the species of mold present, and suggestions for mitigation.
• Recommendations and Remediation Plan: If mold is detected, the inspector may supply suggestions for mold remediation, which may involve hiring an expert mold remediation company. They will likely suggest steps to alleviate moisture intrusions, improve airflow, and prevent future mold growth.
• Follow-up and Clearance Testing: A post-remediation inspection may be executed to assure you that the remediation efforts were effective and that the mold issue has been correctly addressed.
• Education and Prevention: The inspector enlightens the client about mold prevention methods, including proper airflow, humidity management, and maintenance practices.

How Should I Prepare for a Mold Test?

You don't need to do much in preparation for a mold inspection apart from ensuring that your inspector can easily access parts of the house where you suspect mold growth. It is also recommended to arrange for pets to be outside of the house throughout the inspection period to make sure that the results of the inspection are not affected by pet dander or other allergens.

A few activities we suggest you not to do are:

• Do not clean or disturb any areas within the property where you suspect mold growth.
• Do not utilize any air purifiers or air filtration equipment during the testing time, as these can alter the results of the test.
• If you're able, refrain from cooking, smoking, or utilizing any products that release chemicals into the air for at least 24 hours prior to the inspection. This step helps ensure that the inspection data is not affected by foreign airborne contaminants.

It is also recommended to keep all windows and doors closed for a minimum of 12 hours prior to the inspection. This measure guarantees that the air within the house stays motionless and precisely represents the typical indoor air quality. By adhering to these guidelines, you will boost the precision of your mold inspection service and testing.

Make Arrangements For a Mold Inspection Right Away

Mold can establish itself rapidly within a home and degrade various construction materials and personal belongings. The fungus also presents a potential health risk to at-risk individuals and pets. When searching for mold inspection near me in Winnebago, IL, select Pillar To Post™ to obtain the most accurate results and a well-defined course forward for cleanup. Safeguard your assets and occupants by scheduling a service date for mold testing online or by dialing 800-294-5591 today.