Mold Inspection Basics for your Buffalo Home
It has been a very wet summer here in Western New York. With that much water there are chances your basement may be a bit wet. So the questions you may have will be about Mold. So let us talk about Mold.
What is Mold
Molds have been part of the environment since humans have walked the planet. References to mold can be found in the Bible and scientists estimate molds evolved more than 400 million years ago. Conservatively, more than 100,000 species of mold exist in the world and at least 1,000 species are common in the U.S. Molds and other fungi are estimated to comprise a quarter of the entire biomass on earth.
Read Also: Mold facts
Mold is a type of fungus that grows on plants and fibers and is most often associated with damp, musty locations such as bathrooms, basements and attics. Mold travels through the air as tiny spores which like to make their home in wet areas, where they will breed. Mold is a good indication of a moisture problem, which should be dealt with as soon as possible.
Not only is mold ugly to look at; mold can present a hazard to your health. It’s an allergen and an irritant. Someone who suffers from household allergies or asthma will no doubt have trouble breathing in homes with mold infestations. Eyes, ears, noses and throats can become irritated as well.
Where Mold is found in your home
Mold growth can occur anywhere in your Buffalo home the conditions are correct. Sometimes mold does not start as the result of a leak in your home but may occur as the result of humidity problems, in such cases the mold typically starts in areas with poor circulation such as in basements, closets, and bathrooms. There are areas of your Buffalo home that are much more common.
Read Also: How to avoid Mold in your home
Places that you may find mold in your Buffalo home include:
- the crawlspace
- attic – occurs when warm air from within the home condenses on the cold surface of the attic sheathing
- bathroom – more of an aesthetic problem than a health issue
- near plumbing fixtures – can be a source of major mold problems, and if left unattended, wood rot develops
What does mold look like
Small spots, smug marks, or a powdery residue in the area that became wet is good indication of mold. Most mold spots are black, brown, green, or white. These initial growths of mold are typically very small at just a few millimeters across in the start.
How is your home tested for Mold
A thorough mold inspection involves two main components, a visual inspection and sampling. Visual inspection and air sampling will identify problem areas that may be adversely affecting your Indoor Air Quality.
Read Also: How a home should be tested for Mold
A typical home or small commercial building requires 1-2 hours of inspection time.
Visual Inspection
The visual inspection focuses on identifying the extent of the visible mold growth and the conditions conducive to mold growth.
Air Sampling
This portion of the inspection often entails moisture meter testing, thermal imagine, humidity testing, CO2 and CO testing. Depending upon the scope of the inspection the process is either limited to a specific portion of the building or encompasses the entire property.
Read Also: Testing your home in 24 hours
Selecting a Mold Inspection Company
It is essential to find a qualified, certified toxic mold testing service to check your living conditions. Not every home inspector is certified in Mold Inspection.
Read Also: National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors
Thinking of purchasing a Buffalo home? Call Colleen Kulikowski at (716) 743-5297 to discuss what is happening in today’s Western New York Real Estate Market.
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