The Most Trusted Mold Inspection Service in River Forest, Illinois

Pillar To Post™ Home Inspectors are nationally recognized as the premier home inspection service recommended by millions of homeowners, prospective homebuyers, and real estate agents. Protect your loved ones and your investment by coming to us when seeking mold inspection near me.

How Toxic Is Mold?

Mold is a variety of fungus that grows in dark and damp environments, and is commonly found inside houses with abundant moisture. It can appear in a range of colors, from black and green to white and orange, and thrives in spaces with high humidity, water infiltration, and poor airflow. It can be present on various items, including walls, ceilings, floors, carpets, and even paper. A mold inspector will typically inspect for evidence of leaks and water in a house to find the likeliest catalyst for any mold growth.

While many types of mold are benign, others have been known to cause health issues, especially for persons who are at risk. People with allergies, asthma, or weakened immune systems can suffer symptoms such as a stuffy nose, coughing, difficulty breathing, and rash. Animals may also be negatively impacted by the fungus, with common symptoms of respiratory distress, vomiting, and digestive issues. Black mold is of special concern in River Forest, Illinois and part of a professional mold inspection will be identifying the species present to understand the risk and develop a plan for remediation.

It’s understandable if you're concerned for the health of yourself or your loved ones and ask questions relating to the effect of mold exposure. One question our mold inspectors are often asked is if they are able to test a person for mold exposure? We are not able to provide that as a portion of our mold inspection service, but there are a variety of ways it can be conducted by your doctor, including skin, blood, and urine testing.

While mold may not always pose a significant risk to the well-being of most people, it’s particularly detrimental for many common building materials found inside of homes. Mold spores colonize and feed on cellulose-based materials and deteriorate in a relatively short period. Some cellulose-based materials used and stored inside of homes are:

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

Mold testing is strongly recommended before you buy a house or if you currently live inside a house with visible signs of mold growth and odor. The danger is that the fungus can spread fiercely, becoming more costly to eliminate and triggering extensive damage to a home as time goes on. A professional mold inspector has the appropriate knowledge and testing equipment to evaluate surfaces and the surrounding environment for mold spores you cannot see. A sufficient mold inspection service will provide prospective homebuyers with the information required to make smarter decisions about their investment and give current homeowners information into what needs to be done to prevent further spread of the fungus and eliminate it entirely.

Some people inquire if a mold inspection service can evaluate people for contact with the fungus, but this is outside the scope of a home mold inspector and should be performed by your doctor through skin and blood tests. If you think or know that you or a family member has been exposed to mold, consult with your doctor about the dangers and to know if any personal testing needs to be done.

What Should I Expect During a Mold Inspection?

A professional mold inspection service is your optimal resource to understand the extent of mold infestation and devise a remediation plan moving forward. Mold testing at Pillar To Post™ comes with the benefit of the finest technology and techniques in the business for added assurance. The manner in which your mold inspector carries out testing may change from house to house, but will generally involve the following:

• Initial Assessment: The mold inspector gathers information from the current homeowner regarding any visible mold growth, water leakage, or indoor air quality doubts. Stale smells or health symptoms presented by occupants will also be examined.
• Visual Inspection: An extensive visual assessment of the home is executed, including around both the inside and outside areas. The mold inspector searches for noticeable signs of mold growth, water leakage, and other moisture problems using specialized equipment like moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras to detect areas of potential moisture intrusion.
• Moisture detection: Knowing moisture content in areas around the property is critical in recognizing potential sources of mold growth. Moisture meters and other tools are used to determine the moisture content inside building materials and pinpoint areas with high humidity or water intrusion behind walls, under flooring, or in other concealed areas. Heat-sensing equipment may be used to identify areas where mold colonization may be happening.
• Air Sampling: Air sampling will be carried out to evaluate indoor air quality and establish the amount of spores in the environment. Air pumps and collection tools are employed to gather air samples from various areas of the house. The samples are then dispatched to a laboratory for evaluation.
• Surface Sampling: If mold infestation is presumed but not seen, the inspector may recover surface samples from areas such as walls, ceilings, or other surfaces. This requires swiping or tape-lifting a small sample, which is also dispatched to a laboratory for analysis.
• Documentation and Reporting: Findings are documented, including observations, measurements, sampling sites, and lab findings. A complete report is compiled, outlining the inspection data, mold varieties identified, and advised measures for restoration, if necessary.
• Recommendations and Remediation Plan: If mold is identified, the inspector may give recommendations for mold restoration, which may involve hiring a qualified mold remediation service. They will likely suggest measures to alleviate moisture intrusions, improve airflow, and stop future mold growth.
• Follow-up and Clearance Testing: After restoration efforts, the inspector may perform a follow-up assessment to ensure that the mold problem has been successfully addressed. Verification testing may be conducted to assure you that the indoor environment meets tolerable mold spore levels and is safe for occupants.
• Education and Prevention: The inspector guides the client about mold precaution measures, including proper airflow, humidity management, and care procedures.

Is There Anything I Need To Do To Prepare for a Mold Inspection?

The biggest way you can assist your mold inspector before their arrival is to remove all hindrances that might hinder their ability to perform the inspection. This includes securing pets away from their path and taking away clutter, furniture, or other objects that make it hard for them to reach different parts of the property.

Call Pillar To Post™ in River Forest, Illinois Immediately

Mold is a rapidly growing fungus that feeds on many building materials and household possessions. Allowing mold growth to get out of hand can cause substantial damages that may necessitate a lot of effort and financial resources to repair. Mold additionally poses a possible health hazard to vulnerable individuals and pets. A professional mold inspection is the most reliable tool for detecting the root cause of the issue and developing a strategy for cleanup. If you're seeking a mold inspection near me in River Forest, Illinois, Pillar To Post™ is the most dependable for our advanced technology and vast expertise. Arrange a date for our mold inspection services today to acquire the information required for informed decision-making and protecting your investment and loved ones.