The Premier Mold Inspection Service in Lanham, Maryland

Pillar To Post™ Home Inspectors is nationally recognized as the leading home inspection service trusted by millions of homeowners, soon-to-be homebuyers, and real estate agents. Protect your loved ones and your possessions by choosing us when searching for mold inspection near me.

How Does Mold Affect My Home and Family?

Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in dark and damp environments, and is commonly found in homes with abundant moisture. It can present in a variety of colors, from black and green to white and orange, and thrives in spaces with high humidity, water damage, or poor ventilation. It can be present on various surfaces, including walls, ceilings, floors, carpets, and even furniture. A mold inspector will usually look for signs of leaks and water in a house to locate the likeliest catalyst for any mold growth.

While most kinds of mold are innocuous, others can cause medical problems, especially for persons who are immuno-compromised. People with allergies, asthma, or weakened immune systems can experience symptoms such as a stuffy nose, coughing, wheezing, and skin irritation. Animals are sometimes affected by mold, with common symptoms of respiratory distress, vomiting, and digestive issues. Black mold is of specific concern in Lanham, Maryland and an important component of an expert mold inspection will be identifying the species present to understand the risk and develop a plan for mitigation.

It’s understandable if you worry about the health of yourself or your loved ones and make inquiries relating to the impact of mold exposure. One question our mold inspectors are often asked is if they're able to evaluate a person for contact with mold? We cannot supply that as a portion of our mold inspection service, however, there are a variety of ways it can be conducted by your doctor, including skin, blood, and urine testing.

While mold may not typically pose an outsized risk to the health of most people, it’s particularly bad for many common construction materials found inside of homes. Mold spores occupy and consume cellulose-based materials and deteriorate them over time. Examples of cellulose or plant-based materials used and stored inside of houses include:

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

Mold testing is highly advisable before you buy a house or if you presently live inside a house with apparent signs of mold growth and odor. The risk is that the fungus can spread widely, becoming more costly to eliminate and triggering more damage to a home as time goes on. A trained mold inspector has the right knowledge and testing equipment to assess surfaces and the surrounding environment for mold spores you cannot see. A sufficient mold inspection service will supply prospective homebuyers with the insights required to make smart decisions about their investment and give current homeowners knowledge into what needs to be done to prevent further spread of the fungus and eradicate 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 done by your doctor through skin and blood screening. If you think or know that you or your family has been exposed to mold, talk to your doctor about the hazards and to know if any personal testing is needed.

You’ll Find a Lot of Advantages From the Expertise and Comprehensive Process of Our Mold Inspectors

A professional mold inspection service is your ideal resource to understand the severity of mold infestation and devise a remediation plan going forward. Mold testing from Pillar To Post™ comes with the benefit of the finest technology and techniques in the business for added peace of mind. Some aspects in how your mold inspector conducts testing may change with each home, but will usually involve the following:

• Initial Assessment: The mold inspector acquires information from the current homeowner regarding any visible mold growth, water damage, or indoor air quality issues. Earthy odors or health symptoms presented by occupants will also be scrutinized.
• Visual Inspection: The following step of our mold inspection service involves a complete visual examination of the property, both inside and out, searching for signs of mold growth, water intrusion, and other moisture-related concerns. We scrutinize areas inclined to mold growth, such as basements, crawl spaces, bathrooms, attics, and rooms with plumbing or heating and cooling systems.
• Moisture detection: Your mold inspector might use moisture detection tools, such as a moisture meter or thermal imaging camera, to locate areas of the home that have abnormal levels of moisture to help recognize areas where mold is likely to grow.
• Air Sampling: Mold testing may involve air samples to be collected from different areas of the home using specialized equipment. The air samples will be submitted to a lab for assessment to confirm the type and concentration of mold spores present in the air.
• Surface Sampling: If mold growth is suspected but not seen, the inspector may take surface samples from areas such as walls, ceilings, or other surfaces. This requires swabbing or tape-lifting areas of surfaces, which are then submitted to a lab for analysis.
• Documentation and Reporting: The mold inspector prepares a thorough report summarizing their results. The report typically includes information on areas of mold growth, moisture sources, types of mold present (if confirmed), and suggestions for cleanup or further actions.
• Recommendations and Remediation Plan: If mold is detected, the inspector may supply advice for mold remediation, which may involve hiring an expert mold remediation company. They will likely suggest measures to mitigate moisture intrusions, improve airflow, and avoid future mold growth.
• Follow-up and Clearance Testing: A post-remediation inspection may be conducted to confirm that the remediation efforts were effective and that the mold issue has been thoroughly addressed.
• Education and Prevention: The inspector educates the client about mold precaution methods, including adequate airflow, moisture control, and care procedures.

Are There Any Steps I Should Take To Help the Mold Inspector Do His Work and Get Better Test Results?

The biggest way you can assist your mold inspector before their visit is to eliminate all hindrances that might impede their ability to conduct the test. This includes securing pets away from their path and taking away clutter, furniture, or additional objects that make it difficult for them to reach different regions of the property.

Contact With Us By Phone or Schedule Mold Inspection Services Through Our Website

Mold can take hold rapidly within a home and consume various construction materials and household belongings. The fungus additionally poses a possible health risk to at-risk individuals and animals. When searching for mold inspection near me in Lanham, Maryland, opt for Pillar To Post™ to ensure the most accurate results and a well-defined path forward for remediation. Safeguard your investment and occupants by booking a service date for mold testing online or by calling 800-294-5591 today.