A Professional Mold Evaluation When Purchasing or Listing a Home Near Saint Albans, ME Will Prove Invaluable Confidence

Pillar To Post™ Home Inspectors is nationally acknowledged as the premier home inspection service trusted by millions of homeowners, prospective homebuyers, and real estate agents. Safeguard your loved ones and your investment by picking us when seeking mold inspection near me.

How Toxic Is Mold?

Mold is a type of fungus that develops 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 flourishes in spaces with high humidity, water damage, or poor ventilation. It can be present on various materials, including walls, ceilings, floors, carpets, and even furniture. A mold inspector will usually inspect for evidence of leaks and moisture in a home to find the source of mold growth.

While many kinds of mold are benign, others have been known to cause medical problems, especially for persons who are at risk. People with allergies, asthma, or weakened immune systems may suffer symptoms such as a stuffy nose, coughing, wheezing, and skin irritation. Animals are sometimes affected by the fungus, experiencing symptoms such as respiratory distress, vomiting, and diarrhea. Black mold is of special concern in Saint Albans, ME and part of a professional mold inspection will be to identify the species present to comprehend the risk and develop a plan for remediation.

It’s understandable if you worry for the well-being of yourself or your loved ones and make inquiries relating to the effect of mold exposure. One question our mold inspectors are sometimes asked is if they're able to assess a person for mold exposure? We cannot offer that as a part of our mold inspection service, but there are a variety of ways it can be conducted by your doctor, including dermal, blood, and urine testing.

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

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

Professional mold testing is helpful for homeowners, buyers, and sellers because of the insights it generates about the hazard mold poses to the structural integrity of a home. A mold inspector from Pillar To Post™ will identify the presence of mold, determine the type, and provide advice for its removal. For current homeowners or future buyers and sellers, professional mold inspection will help to ensure a safe and healthy living environment and can avert further expensive remediation efforts down the line. Mold testing is strongly advised as an important resource in preserving a safe and healthy home environment.

How Is a Competent Mold Inspection Conducted?

A trustworthy mold inspection service is your ideal resource to detect the scope of mold infestation and create a remediation plan going forward. Mold testing from Pillar To Post™ comes with the advantage of the finest technology and techniques in the industry for added assurance. The way your mold inspector conducts testing may change from house to house, but will usually involve the following:

• Initial Assessment: The mold inspector from Pillar To Post™ gathers information about the home, any identified mold issues, and your concerns during the initial consultation to develop a plan for mold testing.
• Visual Inspection: A thorough visual examination of the house is executed, including throughout both the inside and exterior areas. The mold inspector looks for detectable signs of mold growth, water leakage, and other moisture concerns using specialized equipment like moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras to discern areas of potential moisture intrusion.
• Moisture detection: Specialized devices like moisture meters, thermal cameras, or hygrometers may be used to detect hidden moisture within building materials, such as walls, floors, and ceilings, that could facilitate the spread of mold.
• Air Sampling: Air sampling is often performed to analyze indoor air quality and ascertain the amount of floating mold spores. Air filters and extraction devices are employed to acquire air samples from various areas of the property. The samples will be dispatched to a lab for analysis.
• Surface Sampling: If mold infestation is suspected but not obvious, the inspector may recover surface samples from areas such as walls, ceilings, or other areas. This involves swabbing or tape-lifting a small sample, which is also dispatched to a lab for analysis.
• Documentation and Reporting: The mold inspector compiles a comprehensive report outlining their results. The report typically includes facts on areas of mold growth, moisture sources, types of mold present (if recognized), and advice for mitigation or further actions.
• Recommendations and Remediation Plan: If mold is discovered, the inspector may provide advice for mold restoration, which may involve hiring a professional mold remediation service. They may suggest measures to minimize moisture intrusions, improve ventilation, and avoid future mold growth.
• Follow-up and Clearance Testing: After remediation efforts, the inspector may conduct a secondary inspection to ensure that the mold issue has been effectively addressed. Verification testing may be executed to verify that the indoor area meets permissible mold spore levels and is safe for occupants.
• Education and Prevention: The inspector enlightens the client about mold precaution methods, including proper ventilation, moisture control, and care procedures.

What Do I Need To Do To Prepare for a Mold Inspection?

You do not need to do a lot in preparing for a mold inspection besides guaranteeing that your inspector can easily reach parts of the home where you suspect mold growth. It is also suggested to plan for pets to be outdoors of the home throughout the inspection time to make sure that the results of the test are not affected by pet dander or other allergens.

Examples of activities we recommend you do not do are:

• Do not clean or disturb any parts of the house where you suspect mold growth.
• Do not operate any air purifiers or air filters during the testing day, as these can affect the data of the test.
• If you're able, refrain from cooking, smoking, or using any products that release chemicals into the air for a minimum of 24 hours before the test. This step helps ensure that the test data is not affected by additional airborne contaminants.

It is also advised to keep all windows and doors closed for at least 12 hours before the test. This precaution guarantees that the environment inside the home remains still and precisely reflects the typical indoor air quality. By adhering to these recommendations, you will improve the accuracy of your mold inspection service and testing.

Buy, Sell, or Move Into a Home Confidently by Booking Services From an Experienced Mold Inspector Right Away

Mold can take hold quickly within a home and consume various building materials and personal possessions. The fungus also poses a potential health hazard to vulnerable individuals and animals. When looking for mold inspection near me in Saint Albans, ME, select Pillar To Post™ to obtain the most precise results and a clear course forward for remediation. Protect your assets and occupants by scheduling an appointment for mold testing online or by calling 800-294-5591 now.