The Most Recommended Mold Inspection Service in White Plains, Maryland

Pillar To Post™ Home Inspectors is widely acknowledged as the leading home inspection service recommended by millions of homeowners, prospective homebuyers, and real estate professionals. Safeguard your loved ones and your possessions by choosing us when seeking mold inspection near me.

Is Mold Dangerous?

Mold is a type of fungus that grows in warm and damp environments, and is commonly found inside houses with excess moisture. It can appear 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 airflow. It can be present on organic-based materials, such as walls, ceilings, floors, carpets, and even furniture. A mold inspector will typically search for signs of leaks and moisture in a house to locate the likeliest catalyst for any mold growth.

While most types of mold are harmless, others can cause medical problems, especially for individuals who are immuno-compromised. Individuals with allergies, asthma, or weakened immune systems have been known to experience symptoms such as nasal congestion, coughing, difficulty breathing, and rash. Animals can also be negatively impacted by the fungus, with common symptoms such as respiratory distress, vomiting, and digestive issues. Black mold is of particular concern in White Plains, 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're concerned for the well-being 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 are able to assess a person for mold exposure? We cannot offer that as a part of our mold inspection service, however, there are a variety of ways it can be performed by your doctor, including dermal, blood, and urine testing.

While mold may not always 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 colonize and eat cellulose-based materials and destroy in a relatively short period. Examples of cellulose or plant-based components found inside of buildings include:

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

Mold testing is highly advisable when purchasing a house or if you currently 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 resulting in more damage to a home as time goes on. A professional mold inspector has the extensive knowledge and testing equipment to evaluate surfaces and air for mold spores not otherwise detectable. An adequate mold inspection service will offer prospective homebuyers with the insights they need to make smart decisions about their investment and give current homeowners knowledge into what needs to be done to stop further spread of the fungus and eradicate it altogether.

Some people inquire if a mold inspection service can evaluate people for exposure to the fungus, but this is beyond the scope of a home mold inspector and should be performed by your doctor through dermal and blood screening. If you believe or discover that you or a family member has been exposed to mold, talk to your doctor about the hazards and to know if any personal testing needs to be done.

How Is a Competent Mold Inspection Performed?

A dependable mold inspection service is your ideal resource to understand the extent of mold infestation and create a remediation plan going forward. Mold testing by Pillar To Post™ comes with the advantage of the best technology and techniques in the industry for added confidence. Some aspects in how your mold inspector carries out testing may vary with each home, but will usually involve the following:

• Initial Assessment: The mold inspector acquires information from the current homeowner regarding any noticeable mold growth, water leaks, or indoor air quality doubts. Stale odors or health effects experienced by occupants will also be assessed.
• Visual Inspection: The following step of our mold inspection service includes a detailed visual examination of the property, both inside and out, surveying for signs of mold growth, water intrusion, and other moisture-related concerns. We examine areas vulnerable to mold growth, such as basements, crawl spaces, bathrooms, attics, and spaces with plumbing or HVAC equipment.
• Moisture detection: Evaluating moisture levels is critical in recognizing potential sources of mold spread. Moisture meters and other specialized equipment are used to determine the moisture levels inside building materials and identify areas with high humidity or water intrusion behind walls, under flooring, or in other concealed spaces. Heat-sensing devices may be used to locate areas where mold growth may be occurring.
• Air Sampling: Air sampling will be carried out to determine indoor air quality and ascertain the amount of spores in the air. Air filters and collection equipment are employed to gather air samples from various areas of the house. The samples are then dispatched to a laboratory for analysis.
• Surface Sampling: The inspector may also obtain surface samples from areas of the home where the fungus is presumed. These samples will be dispatched to a laboratory for analysis to ascertain the type of mold found.
• Documentation and Reporting: Your mold inspector compiles an elaborate report outlining their results. The report typically includes information on areas of mold growth, moisture sources, types of mold present (if confirmed), and advice for remediation or further actions.
• Recommendations and Remediation Plan: Depending on the inspection results, the inspector gives recommendations to tackle the mold problem and stop further growth.
• Follow-up and Clearance Testing: After cleanup efforts, the inspector may conduct a follow-up assessment to ensure that the mold problem has been effectively addressed. Verification testing may be conducted to validate that the indoor environment meets tolerable mold spore levels and is secure for occupants.
• Education and Prevention: The inspector enlightens the client about mold prevention measures, including appropriate airflow, humidity management, and maintenance practices.

How Should I Get Ready for a Mold Test?

You don't need to do a lot in preparing for a mold inspection apart from ensuring that your inspector can easily access areas of the house where you suspect mold growth. It is also advised to arrange for pets to be outdoors of the house throughout the inspection time to ensure that the outcomes of the inspection are not affected by pet dander or other allergens.

Some activities we ask you do not do include:

• Do not clean or disrupt any areas within the home where you suspect mold growth.
• Do not operate any air purifiers or air filtration equipment during the testing period, as these may affect the results of the test.
• If possible, refrain from cooking, smoking, or utilizing any products that release chemicals into the air for a minimum of 24 hours before the inspection. This precaution ensures that the inspection results are not affected by foreign airborne contaminants.

It is additionally advised to keep all windows and doors closed for at least 12 hours before the inspection. This measure ensures that the air inside the house remains still and accurately represents the usual indoor air quality. By complying with these guidelines, you will improve the precision of your mold inspection service and testing.

Schedule a Mold Inspection Today

Mold can establish itself rapidly within a residence and consume many construction materials and personal belongings. The fungus additionally presents a potential health hazard to vulnerable individuals and animals. When searching for mold inspection near me in White Plains, Maryland, opt for Pillar To Post™ to obtain the most precise results and a well-defined path forward for remediation. Protect your investment and occupants by scheduling a service date for mold testing online or by dialing 800-294-5591 today.