Mold Testing is vital whether you are moving into a new house or have inhabited a structure for several decades. Mold is a member of the fungal family; the micro-flora is incredibly resilient and can thrive under almost any conditions.
Although it plays an integral part in nature’s decomposition cycle; when found inside your home it can lead to grave health concerns which can result in a heap of medical bills. While mold testing is made up of several steps and is a complex process that involves a myriad of tests, it can help you ascertain the existence of mold in your home even without conspicuous signs of the issue.
Why do you need mold testing?
Every home should be thoroughly tested for mold infestation; while structures with leakage and those that are prone to water clogging are the highest at risk, newer and well maintained homes can also be susceptible. The fungus is particularly fond of dark, dank areas and will spread quickly in the absence of direct sunlight.
Mold not only makes for an ungainly sight but also it can markedly lower the rate of your home if an infestation is found during home testing and valuation, so it would be best to get a mold testing done before putting the house up for sale.
There are hundreds of variants in the genus fungi that can be categorized under the umbrella term mold; the common feature of this microscopic flora being their ability to propagate through spores. At maturity, the mold pod burst open launching allergenic spores into the air which find various damp surfaces such as wood, paper, cloth etc where they grow to continue the process. Unfortunately, these spores when inhaled can wreck havoc on your system.
Almost all types of spores will cause aggravated allergic reactions and can prove detrimental for those who suffer from respiratory ailments such as asthma. Seniors, pregnant women, children and individuals with a weakened immune system are particularly susceptible to mold health risks, so mold testing should never be put off for another time.
Mold testing can prevent exposure to these toxic molds
If the time of exposure to mold spores is prolonged; just about any type of mold can break down your body’s natural defense system. As a matter of fact, in many cases, mold exposure can be fatal; unfortunately, as the condition of some of the patients deteriorates, the exact cause of the ailment often eludes the physicians, and few link it to mold infestation; this is one of reasons why mold testing is absolutely vital. Among the most hazardous types of mold that can grow in your home, which are known among the experts as the big three include;
Mold testing for Aspergillus:
This micro flora is a component in the manufacture of bio weapons made by many third world countries; the toxin in those microscopic spores is truly that deadly. An opportunistic pathogen, the spores of Aspergillus can lace the air you breathe without you ever noticing it till your immune resistance is lowered due to an underlying ailment.
This is when the pathogens attack the body, complicating matters and causing severe asthma attacks, acute and chronic lung infections, liver diseases, cardiac problems and even eye damage. The mold is commonly found in wall cavities and the ducting used in the temperature control systems of your home and can be detected through mold testing.
Mold testing for Stachybotrys:
Commonly called the black mold; this is probably the most toxic member of the mold family. Once again, a popular ingredient in the line up of chemicals used to manufacture weapons for biological warfare; stachybotrys can lurk in your home and prove to be fatal for the kids and pets in the family.
As a matter of fact, at least seven cases of fatality among children due to black mold exposure have been diagnosed in Cleveland alone. What makes black mold exceptionally dangerous is the fact that it thrives on any wet surface that contains cellulose such as drywalls, paper etc. Water damage due to floods etc has been identified as one of the prime causes that leads to the growth of black mold.
However, there may not always be over signs pointing to the presence of the fungus, so mold testing is the only way to determine if the walls in your home are harboring stachybotrys.
The spores of this fungus can lead to ailments such as hearing problems, memory loss, pulmonary issues, gastrointestinal infections, headaches, skin concerns such as rash, hives etc; dizziness, chronic fatigue, depression and other maladies that would normally be dismissed as the symptoms of flu. This greatly increases the danger associated with black mold exposure as most doctors tend to treat the illness symptomatically without trying to diagnose the root cause of the disorder
Cattle that accidentally ingested hay contaminated with black mold, exhibited signs of brain hemorrhage with severe bleeding from the eyes and died before medical treatment could be administered, so black mold can cause organ damage and lead to fatalities even in humans.
Mold testing for penicillium:
Penicillium is another hazardous mold that leads to the onset of several chronic illnesses including a terminal disease such as cancer.
How will you know when its time for mold testing?
If you have just been through an episode of flooding or water clogging in any area of your house, chances are that in time mold will appear on all wet surfaces unless they are dried completely. No area is safe; however, basements, attics in case of roof leakage, the foundation of the structure and any crawl spaces that it may include can be exceptionally troublesome. It’s also not uncommon to find intense mold growth inside drywalls, cavities and crevices in the walls and even the ducting used for the air conditioning or furnace.
The most obvious indicators that will signal the need for mold testing are:
A damp musty smell emanating from a specific area of the house
Visual presence of mold
Unexplained allergies among your family members
Persistent cold, sinus issues and breathing trouble
Frequent allergy flare ups
The various mold testing options
Home owners can detect mold through the use of mold testing kits which are readily available at most home improvement stores or they could enlist the help of a professional mold testing and remediation agency. One of the primary reasons why you may want to consider the second option: although it will certainly cost you more than mold testing kits, is the sheer meticulousness of the tests performed and the detailed reports that you receive from professional mold testing companies.
They will not only be able to advise you on the existence of mold spores in your home. They are also in a position to pin point the exact cause that led to mold infestation in the house, procedures that can be used for mold remediation and measures that can be taken to prevent the further onslaught of mold spores in your house.
Because many mold testing companies use state of the art equipment and cutting edge technology, they will also be able to advise you on the type of mold found in your house and the extent of infestation, so it is highly recommended that the you avail the services of professionals to undertake meticulous mold testing in your home.