The Premier Mold Inspection Service in Madison, Illinois

Mold testing is beneficial for current homeowners and potential buyers and sellers desiring to preserve their investment and their families. Take advantage of the top-rated mold inspection service in your area and achieve peace of mind knowing the things most important in life are protected by arranging a mold inspection with Pillar To Post™.

Is Seeking an Expert Mold Evaluation Worth the Price?

Mold is a variety of fungus that thrives in warm and damp environments, and is commonly found inside houses with higher levels of moisture. It can present in a variety of colors, from black and green to white and orange, and thrives in areas that have high humidity, water damage, or poor ventilation. It can be present on various materials, like walls, ceilings, floors, carpets, and even clothing. A mold inspector will usually search for signs of leaks and moisture in a home to locate the likeliest catalyst for any mold growth.

While some kinds of mold are innocuous, others have been known to cause health issues, especially for people who are at risk. Individuals with allergies, asthma, or weakened immune systems may experience symptoms such as a stuffy nose, coughing, chest pain, and rash. Animals may also be negatively impacted by the fungus, with common symptoms such as respiratory distress, vomiting, and diarrhea. Black mold is of special concern in Madison, Illinois and part of a professional mold inspection will be to identify the species present to comprehend the risk and develop a plan for mitigation.

It’s understandable if you're concerned about the health of yourself or your loved ones and ask questions relating to the impact of mold exposure. One question our mold inspectors are often asked is if it’s possible to evaluate a person for contact with mold? We are not able to offer that as a portion of our mold inspection service, however, there are a variety of ways it can be conducted by your doctor, including dermal, blood, and urine examinations.

While mold may not typically pose an outsized risk to the well-being of most people, it’s particularly detrimental for many common construction materials found inside of homes. Mold spores occupy and eat cellulose-based materials and ruin them over time. Some cellulose or plant-based materials used and stored inside of buildings include:

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

Mold testing can detect the species and uncover the source of dampness contributing to an infestation inside of the home you own or the one you’re considering buying. A frequent question posed to mold inspectors from Pillar To Post™ is if it’s possible to test a human or pet for mold poisoning. Unfortunately, this cannot be established by our mold inspection service but can be performed by your doctor with blood and skin analysis. A competent mold inspection will offer you more power in your home-selling negotiations or offer you more insight into the quality of your investment and the well-being of occupants when purchasing a home.

What Techniques Are Used To Perform an Expert Mold Inspection?

An expert mold inspection service typically involves a thorough evaluation of a property to identify the presence of mold and determine the scope of the problem. The particular process for a professional mold inspection may change depending on the property size, but usually includes:

• Initial Assessment: The mold inspector collects information from the current homeowner regarding any apparent mold growth, water damage, or indoor air quality concerns. Musty odors or health effects presented by occupants will also be assessed.
• Visual Inspection: The next task of our mold inspection service includes a comprehensive visual assessment of the property, both inside and out, surveying for signs of mold growth, water leaks, and other moisture-related issues. We inspect areas vulnerable to mold growth, like subterranean levels, crawl spaces, bathrooms, attics, and rooms with plumbing or HVAC systems.
• Moisture detection: Assessing moisture content in areas around the home is important in detecting likely sources of mold growth. Hygrometers and other tools are used to measure the moisture levels inside building materials and identify areas with high humidity or water intrusion behind walls, under flooring, or in other concealed areas. Infrared equipment may be used to detect areas where mold growth may be occurring.
• Air Sampling: Air sampling will be carried out to determine indoor air quality and establish the presence of spores in the air. Air pumps and extraction devices are employed to acquire air samples from various areas of the home. The samples are then sent to a lab for analysis.
• Surface Sampling: If mold growth is suspected but not visible, your mold inspector could acquire surface samples from areas such as walls, ceilings, or other areas. This requires wiping or tape-lifting a small sample, which are then sent to a lab for analysis.
• Documentation and Reporting: The mold inspector prepares a thorough report summarizing their conclusions. The report typically includes facts on areas of mold growth, moisture sources, types of mold present (if confirmed), and recommendations for mitigation or further actions.
• Recommendations and Remediation Plan: Based on the inspection findings, the inspector gives recommendations to address the mold problem and prevent further growth.
• Follow-up and Clearance Testing: After restoration efforts, the inspector may perform a subsequent evaluation to ensure that the mold problem has been thoroughly addressed. Verification testing may be carried out to confirm that the indoor environment meets safe mold spore levels and is secure for occupants.
• Education and Prevention: The inspector guides the client about mold precaution measures, including adequate airflow, humidity management, and maintenance practices.

How Do I Prepare for a Mold Test?

You do not need to do much in preparing for a mold inspection besides ensuring that your inspector can readily reach areas of the home where you suspect mold growth. It is also recommended to arrange for pets to be outdoors of the home during the course of the inspection period to ensure that the results of the test are not affected by pet dander or additional allergens.

Examples of activities we implore you do not do include:

• Do not clean or disturb any regions within the home where you suspect mold to be present.
• Do not operate any air purifiers or air filters during the testing date, as these will impact the data of the test.
• If you're able, avoid cooking, smoking, or utilizing any products that release chemicals into the air for a minimum of 24 hours before the test. This step ensures that the test data is not affected by other airborne contaminants.

It is also advised you keep all windows and doors shut for a minimum of 12 hours before the test. This measure ensures that the air inside the home stays still and correctly reflects the usual indoor air quality. By following these guidelines, you will improve the accuracy of your mold inspection service and evaluation.

Call Pillar To Post™ in Madison, Illinois Soon

Mold can take hold rapidly within a home and degrade numerous construction materials and personal belongings. The fungus also presents a potential health danger to vulnerable people and animals. When searching for mold inspection near me in Madison, Illinois, choose Pillar To Post™ to obtain the most precise findings and a clear path forward for cleanup. Safeguard your investment and inhabitants by booking a service date for mold testing online or by dialing 800-294-5591 now.