Understanding Mold Growth
As mentioned before, mold needs four things to grow or produce spores. A food source, such as drywall, wood, fabrics, dead plants, or any organic material. Mold requires the right temperature and moisture content. and spores must be present. Mold spores are deposited in our home through open windows and normal entry and exit. So why is it that every home does not have mold growth? If you remove one of the four required conditions, mold can’t grow. The biggest thing we can control is moisture. By maintaining dry indoor environments with humidity levels below 60%, we inhibit mold growth. Homes with indoor mold issues have active plumbing leaks and exterior water intrusion in bathrooms with no exhaust fans. Right! The job of a bath fan is to remove moisture, not odor. Our homes are made of materials that mold loves. Add moisture, and it is an all-you-can-eat buffet for mold. Within 24-48 hours after a plumbing leak, mold will be growing. To inhibit the growth, clean up the water and air dry the area immediately.
Testing for Mold
Is your home making you sick? We do not know until we complete a mold inspection. Mold test kits are sold at department stores and home improvement chains. The issue is every house has mold spores, so testing in this manner will provide results that we are already aware of, mold spores are in the air. Have you scheduled a mold inspection with a certified mold inspector? You should, they are trained in detecting indoor mold issues, and they can provide you with a written report that goes well beyond the mold test.
Do not just get a mold test; it is no different than the test kit from a home improvement store. We already know there are mold spores in the air.
If you are in our service area and want a genuine mold inspection by a certified trained professional, give us a call or send an e-mail. We can help by determining if you have an indoor mold problem. Mention this blog post and get $25.00 off your mold inspection.
Aztec Home Inspections provides professional inspection services to customers in Waynesboro, Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, and the surrounding areas. Contact us to schedule an appointment.