Mold Testing in Jefferson, Maine For Confident Home Purchasing and Selling

Mold testing is advantageous for current homeowners and future buyers and sellers wanting to protect their investment and their family members. Take advantage of the top mold inspection service in the area and gain peace of mind knowing the things most important in life are taken care of by booking a mold inspection with Pillar To Post™.

Is Mold Dangerous?

Mold is a kind of fungus that thrives in warm and damp environments, and is commonly found in homes with excess moisture. It can manifest in a variety of colors, from black and green to white and orange, and thrives in spaces with high humidity, water damage, and poor ventilation. It can grow on organic-based surfaces, including walls, ceilings, floors, carpets, and even paper. A mold inspector will usually search for signs of leaks and water in a house to find the source of mold growth.

While many types of mold are innocuous, others can cause medical problems, especially for persons who are vulnerable. People with allergies, asthma, or weakened immune systems can experience symptoms such as a stuffy nose, coughing, wheezing, and skin irritation. Pets are sometimes negatively impacted by mold, experiencing symptoms of respiratory distress, vomiting, and digestive issues. Black mold is of particular concern in Jefferson, Maine and part of a professional mold inspection will be identifying the species present to comprehend the risk and develop a plan for mitigation.

It’s ok if you're concerned for the well-being of yourself or your family and ask questions relating to the impact of mold exposure. One question our mold inspectors are sometimes asked is if it’s possible to test an individual for contact with mold? We are not able to offer that as a portion of our mold inspection service, but there are a variety of ways it can be performed by your doctor, including skin, blood, and urine testing.

While mold may not always pose an outsized risk to the well-being of most people, it’s particularly harmful for many common construction materials found inside of homes. Mold spores infest and break down cellulose-based materials and destroy in a relatively short period. Examples of cellulose or plant-based components found inside of buildings are:

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

Mold testing is strongly recommended when purchasing a house or if you presently reside inside a house with visible signs of mold growth and odor. The hazard is that the fungus can spread fiercely, becoming more expensive to eliminate and triggering more damage to a home as time goes on. A skilled mold inspector has the extensive knowledge and testing equipment to assess surfaces and the surrounding environment for mold spores not otherwise detectable. A sufficient mold inspection service will offer prospective homebuyers with the insights needed to make informed decisions about their investment and give current homeowners information into what needs to be done to stop further spread of the fungus and eliminate it entirely.

Some clients ask if a mold inspection service can evaluate people for contact with the fungus, but this is beyond the scope of a home mold inspector and should be performed by your healthcare provider through skin and blood screening. If you believe or discover that you or your family has been exposed to mold, speak to your doctor about the hazards and to know if any personal testing needs to be done.

You’ll Find a Lot of Value From the Focus and All-Encompassing Process of Our Mold Inspecttion Services

A trustworthy mold inspection service is your ideal resource to detect the scope of mold infestation and develop a remediation plan moving forward. Mold testing with Pillar To Post™ comes with the benefit of the best technology and methods in the business for added confidence. The manner in which your mold inspector performs testing may differ with each home, but will usually involve the following:

• Initial Assessment: The mold inspector accumulates information from the current homeowner regarding any apparent mold growth, water leakage, or indoor air quality doubts. Stale smells or health symptoms experienced by occupants will also be examined.
• Visual Inspection: An extensive visual inspection of the property is performed, including throughout both the inside and outside areas. The mold inspector seeks out noticeable signs of mold growth, water leakage, and other moisture problems using specialized equipment like moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras to pinpoint areas of potential moisture intrusion.
• Moisture detection: Your mold inspector might use moisture detection equipment, like a moisture meter or thermal imaging camera, to locate areas of the home that have abnormal levels of moisture to help uncover areas where mold is likely to grow.
• Air Sampling: Air sampling is often conducted to analyze indoor air quality and ascertain the presence of spores in the environment. Air pumps and collection devices are utilized to acquire air samples from various areas of the house. The samples will be sent to a laboratory for evaluation.
• Surface Sampling: If mold growth is presumed but not seen, the inspector may collect surface samples from areas such as walls, ceilings, or other areas. This involves wiping or tape-lifting a small sample, which is also sent to a laboratory for analysis.
• Documentation and Reporting: Your mold inspector generates a detailed report recapping their conclusions. The report typically includes details on areas of mold growth, moisture sources, mold varieties present (if detected), and suggestions for mitigation or further actions.
• Recommendations and Remediation Plan: Depending on the inspection findings, the inspector offers suggestions to address the mold issues and stop further growth.
• Follow-up and Clearance Testing: After restoration efforts, the inspector may perform a post-remediation assessment to ensure that the mold issue has been effectively addressed. Verification testing may be performed to confirm that the indoor space meets permissible mold spore levels and is safe for occupants.
• Education and Prevention: The inspector informs the client about mold precaution measures, including appropriate airflow, moisture control, and care procedures.

What Do I Have To Do To Get Ready for a Mold Inspection?

You do not need to do a lot in preparing for a mold inspection apart from ensuring that your inspector can readily access areas of the house where you suspect mold growth. It is also advised to arrange for pets to be outside of the house throughout the inspection period to guarantee that the results of the test are not influenced by pet dander or other allergens.

Examples of things we recommend you not to do are:

• Do not clean or disturb any regions of the property where you suspect mold growth.
• Do not operate any air purifiers or air filters during the testing period, as these can alter the data of the test.
• If possible, refrain from cooking, smoking, or using any chemical-releasing products for a minimum of 24 hours before the test. This measure ensures that the test results are not influenced 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 precaution guarantees that the environment inside the house remains motionless and correctly represents the usual indoor air quality. By adhering to these guidelines, you will boost the precision of your mold inspection service and testing.

Contact With Us By Phone or Book Mold Inspection Services On The Web

Mold is a rapidly growing fungus that devours various construction materials and personal belongings. Allowing mold colonization to get out of hand can cause significant damages that may necessitate considerable financial resources to fix. Mold also poses a potential health hazard to at-risk individuals and pets. A thorough mold inspection is the most reliable tool for identifying the root cause of the problem and developing a plan for cleanup. If you're seeking a mold inspection near me in Jefferson, Maine, Pillar To Post™ stands out for our cutting-edge technology and vast expertise. Arrange a date for our mold inspection services today to acquire the information required for making better decisions and protecting your investment and loved ones.