A Dependable Mold Evaluation When Acquiring or Selling a House in Duncanville, Alabama Will Prove Invaluable Confidence

Mold presents a hazard to persons and pets and eats away at building components and possessions. Mold testing from a vetted mold inspection service is extremely suggested before buying a house in Duncanville, Alabama. Retaining a mold inspection when selling your house can also provide transparency and hasten the closing process.

Pillar To Post™ Home Inspectors are nationally recognized as the premier home inspection service trusted by millions of homeowners, prospective homebuyers, and real estate professionals. Protect your family and your possessions by calling us when seeking mold inspection near me.

How Does Mold Affect My Home and Family?

The spores of mold are ever-present in the air, only becoming noticeable when conditions are acceptable to it, and the fungus finds an appropriate surface to colonize. The fungus usually opts for dark and moist spaces. Among other things, your professional mold inspector will detect the source of the moisture – whether it’s from recently occurring flooding or leaks – to help you develop a plan for remediation. Mold can be almost any color, including red, green, yellow, white, and black, which is famously associated with a particularly dangerous species, Stachybotrys chartarum, known to induce dangerous health effects in certain individuals and pets.

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

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

Mold testing is strongly recommended before you purchase a house or if you currently reside inside a house with visible signs of mold growth and odor. The danger is that the fungus can spread widely, becoming more expensive to eliminate and causing extensive damage to a home over time. A skilled mold inspector has the appropriate knowledge and testing equipment to assess surfaces and air for mold spores you cannot see. A satisfactory mold inspection service will offer prospective homebuyers with the information they need to make smarter decisions about their investment and give existing homeowners information into what needs to be done to stop further spread of the fungus and eradicate it entirely.

Some clients inquire 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 screening. If you think or know that you or your family has been exposed to mold, talk to your doctor about the hazards and to know if any personal testing needs to be done.

What Happens When I Receive a Mold Inspection?

A dependable mold inspection service is your best resource to identify the extent of mold infestation and develop a remediation plan going forward. Mold testing from Pillar To Post™ comes with the advantage of the finest technology and techniques in the business for added peace of mind. Some aspects in how your mold inspector performs testing may differ from house to house, but will typically involve the following:

  • Initial Assessment: The mold inspector from Pillar To Post™ collects information about the property, any identified mold issues, and your concerns during the initial consultation to formulate a plan for mold testing.
  • Visual Inspection: Your inspector will execute a visual inspection of the property, assessing for any detectable signs of mold colonization. They will check areas of the house that are known to be liable to mold growth, such as below-ground spaces, bathrooms, and kitchens.
  • Moisture detection: Advanced equipment like moisture meters, thermal cameras, or hygrometers may be employed to uncover hidden moisture within building materials, such as walls, floors, and ceilings, that could facilitate the spread of mold.
  • Air Sampling: Air sampling is often carried out to evaluate indoor air quality and confirm the presence of spores in the environment. Air pumps and collection equipment are employed to capture air samples from diverse areas of the home. The samples will be transferred to a lab for analysis.
  • Surface Sampling: The inspector may also acquire surface samples from areas of the house where mold is presumed. These samples will be transferred to a lab for analysis to confirm the type of mold found.
  • Documentation and Reporting: An in-depth report will be furnished to clients after the mold inspection is complete, including any areas of the home where mold was detected, the variety of mold present, and suggestions for cleanup.
  • Recommendations and Remediation Plan: If mold is discovered, the inspector may offer suggestions for mold cleanup, which may involve hiring an expert mold remediation service. They will likely suggest measures to alleviate moisture problems, improve airflow, and avoid future mold growth.
  • Follow-up and Clearance Testing: A subsequent assessment may be performed to assure you that the cleanup efforts were effective and that the mold issue has been properly addressed.
  • Education and Prevention: The inspector educates the client about mold prevention methods, including proper airflow, humidity management, and care procedures.

How Should I Prepare for the Mold Test?

You do not need to do a lot in preparation for a mold inspection besides making sure that your inspector can easily reach parts of the house where you suspect mold growth. It is also suggested to make arrangements for pets to be outside of the house during the course of the testing period to ensure that the results of the inspection are not influenced by pet dander or other allergens.

Examples of things we ask you not to do are:

  • Do not clean or disturb any areas inside the house where you suspect mold growth.
  • Do not use any air purifiers or air filtration units during the testing period, as these may impact the data of the test.
  • If you're able, refrain from cooking, smoking, or using any chemical-releasing products for at least 24 hours before the inspection. This precaution helps ensure that the inspection data is not influenced by other airborne contaminants.

It is additionally advised to keep all windows and doors closed for a minimum of 12 hours before the inspection. This step guarantees that the environment inside the house remains still and precisely reflects the usual indoor air quality. By adhering to these guidelines, you will improve the precision of your mold inspection service and evaluation.

Schedule a Mold Inspection Today

Mold can take hold quickly within a residence and consume numerous construction materials and household possessions. The fungus additionally poses a possible health danger to vulnerable individuals and pets. When searching for mold inspection near me in Duncanville, Alabama, choose Pillar To Post™ to obtain the most accurate results and a well-defined course forward for remediation. Safeguard your investment and inhabitants by scheduling an appointment for mold testing online or by calling 800-294-5591 today.