Mold Inspection in Orono, ME For Confident Home Buying and Selling

Pillar To Post™ Home Inspectors is nationally esteemed as the leading home inspection service trusted by millions of homeowners, prospective homebuyers, and real estate agents. Defend your family and your possessions by contacting us when looking for mold inspection near me.

Is Mold A Hazard?

Mold is a variety of fungus that thrives in dark and damp environments, and is commonly found in homes with excess moisture. It can appear in a range 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, including walls, ceilings, floors, carpets, and even paper. A mold inspector will usually inspect for evidence of leaks and moisture in a house to identify the likeliest catalyst for any mold growth.

While many types of mold are harmless, others can cause health issues, especially for persons who are immuno-compromised. People with allergies, asthma, or weakened immune systems may experience symptoms such as a stuffy nose, coughing, wheezing, and rash. Animals are sometimes negatively impacted by mold, with common symptoms such as respiratory distress, vomiting, and diarrhea. Black mold is of particular concern in Orono, ME and part of an expert mold inspection will be to identify the species present to comprehend the risk and develop a plan for mitigation.

It’s ok if you worry for the health of yourself or your family and ask questions relating to the impact of mold exposure. One question our mold inspectors are often asked is if they are able to test an individual for mold exposure? We are not able to supply that as a part 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 present an outsized risk to the well-being of most people, it’s particularly detrimental for many common building materials found inside of homes. Mold spores occupy and feed on cellulose-based materials and destroy them over time. Some cellulose-based components found inside of houses are:

• 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 dwell inside a house with visible signs of mold growth and odor. The risk is that the fungus can disseminate widely, becoming more costly to eliminate and resulting in extensive damage to a home over time. A trained mold inspector has the extensive knowledge and testing equipment to evaluate surfaces and air for mold spores not otherwise seen. A sufficient mold inspection service will supply prospective homebuyers with the insights required to make informed decisions about their investment and give existing homeowners knowledge into what needs to be done to halt further spread of the fungus and eliminate it entirely.

Some clients inquire if a mold inspection service can test people for contact with the fungus, but this is not within the scope of a home mold inspector and should be performed by your doctor through dermal and blood screening. If you think or discover 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 is warranted.

How Is a Competent Mold Inspection Conducted?

A dependable mold inspection service is your ideal resource to assess the severity of mold infestation and develop a remediation plan moving forward. Mold testing at Pillar To Post™ comes with the benefit of the best technology and techniques in the industry for added peace of mind. Some aspects in how your mold inspector conducts testing may differ from house to house, but will generally involve the following:

• Initial Assessment: The mold inspector acquires information from the current homeowner regarding any observable mold growth, water leaks, or indoor air quality issues. Earthy odors or health symptoms experienced by individuals will also be evaluated.
• Visual Inspection: Your inspector will conduct a visual inspection of the property, evaluating for any apparent signs of mold infestation. They will investigate areas of the home that are known to be inclined to mold growth, such as basements, bathrooms, and kitchens.
• Moisture detection: Assessing moisture content in areas around the home is essential in uncovering potential sources of mold growth. Moisture meters and other specialized equipment 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 devices may be used to identify areas where mold infestation may be occurring.
• Air Sampling: Mold testing may call for air samples to be collected from several areas of the home using special equipment. The air samples will be dispatched to a laboratory for assessment to ascertain the type and concentration of mold spores existing in the air.
• Surface Sampling: If mold growth is suspected but not seen, your mold inspector may take surface samples from areas such as walls, ceilings, or other areas. This requires swiping or tape-lifting a small sample, which is also dispatched to a laboratory for analysis.
• Documentation and Reporting: A thorough report will be provided to clients after the mold inspection is done, including any areas of the home where mold was discovered, the kind of mold present, and recommendations for mitigation.
• Recommendations and Remediation Plan: If mold is discovered, the inspector may provide recommendations for mold remediation, which may involve hiring an expert mold remediation company. They may suggest steps to minimize moisture intrusions, improve ventilation, and stop future mold growth.
• Follow-up and Clearance Testing: A post-remediation evaluation may be carried out to ensure that the remediation efforts were productive and that the mold issue has been thoroughly addressed.
• Education and Prevention: The inspector enlightens the client about mold prevention methods, including appropriate ventilation, moisture control, and care procedures.

How Can I Enable an Easy Mold Inspection On the Day the Inspector Arrives?

The biggest way you can help your mold inspector prior to their visit is to remove all obstacles that could impede their ability to perform the test. This entails securing pets away from their path and removing clutter, furniture, or additional objects that make it hard for them to reach different parts of the home.

Call or Schedule Mold Inspection Services Online

Mold can take hold rapidly within a home and consume various building materials and personal possessions. The fungus additionally poses a potential health danger to vulnerable people and pets. When looking for mold inspection near me in Orono, ME, select Pillar To Post™ to obtain the most precise results and a clear path forward for remediation. Safeguard your assets and inhabitants by scheduling an appointment for mold testing online or by dialing 800-294-5591 today.