The Premier Mold Inspection Service in Owings, Maryland

Pillar To Post™ Home Inspectors is nationally acknowledged as the leading home inspection service trusted by millions of homeowners, prospective homebuyers, and real estate professionals. Safeguard your family and your investment by contacting us when seeking mold inspection near me.

How Toxic Is Mold?

Mold is a type of fungus that grows in warm and damp environments, and is commonly found inside houses with higher levels of moisture. It can appear in a variety of colors, from black and green to white and orange, and thrives in spaces with high humidity, water infiltration, and poor ventilation. It can be present on cellulose-based surfaces, like walls, ceilings, floors, carpets, and even paper. A mold inspector will usually look for evidence of leaks and moisture in a house to find the source of mold growth.

While some kinds of mold are harmless, others can cause medical problems, especially for persons who are at risk. Individuals with allergies, asthma, or weakened immune systems have been known to experience symptoms such as nasal congestion, coughing, difficulty breathing, and skin irritation. Pets may also be affected by mold, experiencing symptoms of respiratory distress, vomiting, and diarrhea. Black mold is of special concern in Owings, Maryland and an important component of an expert mold inspection will be identifying the species present to understand the risk and develop a plan for mitigation.

It’s ok if you worry for the safety of yourself or your family and make inquiries relating to the effect of mold exposure. One question our mold inspectors are sometimes asked is if they're able to test a person for contact with mold? We cannot provide that as a part of our mold inspection service, but there are a variety of ways it can be performed by your doctor, including skin, blood, and urine testing.

While mold may not always present an outsized risk to the health of most people, it’s particularly detrimental for many common building materials found inside of homes. Mold spores occupy and feed on plant-based materials and ruin them over time. Common cellulose or plant-based materials used and stored inside of buildings are:

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

Mold testing is urgently suggested when acquiring a house or if you presently reside inside a house with visible signs of mold growth and odor. The risk is that the fungus can propagate widely, becoming more expensive to eliminate and triggering extensive damage to a home as time goes on. A professional mold inspector has the extensive knowledge and testing equipment to evaluate surfaces and the surrounding environment for mold spores you cannot see. A sufficient mold inspection service will provide prospective homebuyers with the insights required to make smart decisions about their investment and give current homeowners information into what needs to be done to stop further spread of the fungus and eradicate it completely.

Some clients inquire if a mold inspection service can evaluate people for exposure to the fungus, but this is outside the scope of a home mold inspector and should be performed 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, talk to your doctor about the dangers and to know if any personal testing needs to be done.

What Happens When I Receive a Mold Inspection?

A trustworthy mold inspection service is your optimal resource to understand the scope of mold infestation and devise a remediation plan going forward. Mold testing with Pillar To Post™ comes with the benefit of the best technology and methods in the industry for added confidence. The way your mold inspector performs testing may change from house to house, but will typically involve the following:

• Initial Assessment: The mold inspector from Pillar To Post™ acquires data about the property, any identified mold issues, and your apprehensions during the initial consultation to devise a plan for mold testing.
• Visual Inspection: The next task of our mold inspection service includes a thorough visual assessment of the property, both inside and out, scanning for signs of mold growth, water intrusion, and other moisture-related problems. We inspect areas susceptible to mold infestation, like subterranean levels, crawl spaces, bathrooms, attics, and areas with plumbing or HVAC units.
• Moisture detection: Knowing moisture content in areas around the house is crucial in uncovering potential sources of mold spread. Humidity sensors and other tools are used to measure the moisture content of building materials and locate areas with high humidity or water intrusion behind walls, under flooring, or in other concealed spaces. Infrared equipment may be used to pinpoint areas where mold growth may be happening.
• Air Sampling: Mold testing may call for air samples to be collected from different areas of the home using special equipment. The air samples will be sent to a laboratory for evaluation to ascertain the type and concentration of mold spores present 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 swiping or tape-lifting a small sample, which is also sent to a laboratory for analysis.
• Documentation and Reporting: Findings are documented, including things visually observed, measurements, sample locations, and analysis findings. A comprehensive report is compiled, recapping the inspection information, mold species identified, and advised measures for restoration, if necessary.
• Recommendations and Remediation Plan: If mold is detected, the inspector may offer advice for mold restoration, which may involve hiring an expert mold remediation service. They will likely suggest measures to alleviate moisture intrusions, improve ventilation, and stop future mold growth.
• Follow-up and Clearance Testing: A follow-up assessment may be performed to ensure that the restoration efforts were successful and that the mold issue has been correctly addressed.
• Education and Prevention: The inspector informs the client about mold prevention methods, including adequate ventilation, humidity management, and care procedures.

Is There Any Steps I Should Take To Help My Mold Inspector Conduct His Work and Obtain Better Test Results?

The most significant way you can assist your mold inspector prior to their visit is to remove all obstacles that may hinder their ability to carry out the inspection. This entails keeping pets away from their path and taking away clutter, furniture, or other objects that make it hard for them to access different areas of the house.

Get in Touch With Pillar To Post™ in Owings, Maryland Today

Mold can quickly grow within a home and be a danger to the health of inhabitants as well as the structural stability of the property itself. An accurate and detailed professional mold inspection offers essential information on halting its spread and eliminating the fungus for good. Potential homebuyers will obtain the necessary information to make informed decisions, while property owners can utilize the report obtained from a mold inspector to safeguard their property or expedite the sale. When searching for the most reliable mold inspection service near me in Owings, Maryland, opt for the most recommended name by property owners, buyers, and real estate professionals and call Pillar To Post™ today.