No matter how clean you think your home is, it will never be completely free from mold. Even brand new homes will have mold and it’s pretty much impossible not to have them. For most homes it’s also not a cause for concern to hire a mold inspector unless you’re experiencing some unusual health symptoms, you’ve had water damage or you’re moving into an older home. Here’s why:
If you have little ones, elderly or anyone with a weak immune system living with you, an inspection for mold is a good idea. Mold that may be in your home which are toxic can cause extreme illness in some and can even cause death.
If you or your family is sick and it just seems like that sickness will not go away, then it’s a good idea to have your home inspected for mold. Even if there are no signs of visible mold, it still doesn’t mean there’s not a problem. Even hidden funguses can cause you to become ill and if you’re sick, you’ve probably been exposed to them for a while.
If you’ve found leaks or if the building is prone to a history of leakage then you should have an inspection done for mold. Mold loves moisture and doesn’t care whether you have a roof leak, plumbing leak, basement leak, an air conditioner leak or shower leak –mold loves it all equally.
If you know for a fact that there has been any sort of water damage large or small, you need to have your home inspected for mold. Otherwise you’ll not only be putting yourself at risk for health concerns, you could end up losing some or all of your belongings as well as your home if the problem gets out of control.
If you’re thinking about buying an older or even newer home you should have it inspected for mold. Even if you’re considering selling your home you should have it inspected. No one wants to purchase a home only to discover that the previous owner has neglected to tell them that it’s been overrun by something as dangerous as black mold.
And maybe that previous owner didn’t know they had mold in their home, but it makes no difference because it’s still a problem. In fact, some state laws require you to have mold testing and inspection done unless you want to face a hefty fine or find yourself being sued.
Even if you suspect there is only a small amount of fungus growing in your home, you may want to go ahead and hire a professional to inspect your home anyway. It’s always better to be safe than sorry and where there’s a small problem there’s bound to be a bigger one.
Now that you know you need to hire a professional mold inspector, make sure that they are certified for mold inspection. Not all states require inspectors to be certified so it’s extremely important that you make sure of this yourself.
Keep in mind that during the inspection the person you’ve hired should check for humidity levels, any leakage in the foundation of your home, any potential problems with your drainage, and the quality of the air in your home. The mold inspector also takes some samples of any visible molds. After the inspection, he or she will discuss their findings and make any recommendations necessary for the safety of you and your home.