Learn what signs to look for to determine if you need a mold inspection.
Florida is a peninsula, so mold is literally everywhere. Our long, hot, humid summers and mild winters create the perfect environment for mold to grow abundantly. Although, all building structures have some level of mold present in them, how can you know when it’s time to consider getting a professional mold inspection? Read on to learn what to look for!
We have created a list of some of the most common signs that you might consider a mold inspection. Keep in mind that this list isn’t exhaustive. It’s also important to note that these signs don’t usually occur as isolated incidents and often occur in conjunction with the other signs.
One telltale sign that you need a mold inspection in your home or business is if you see visible mold growth. Mold will grow anywhere that it has adequate temperatures, water, and a food source.
A food source is any organic material (drywall, wood, dust, etc.). Sometimes, visible mold growth isn’t a sign of a major problem. The severity depends on the location and the extent of the mold growth. Due to the complexity of this determination, it’s important to call in a mold remediation or air quality testing professional to come out to your property and assess.
Mold often emits a “musty” odor, especially when it’s present in humid environments. Again, musty odors are subjective and the detection of their presence varies from person to person.
However, if you notice a persistent musty odor, it’s worth calling a licensed mold professional to come out to your property and perform a mold inspection.
If your home or business previously had mold issues, it’s possible that it wasn’t properly addressed or there’s another issue with the building envelope that’s creating a perfect environment for microbial growth.
Maybe the previous homeowner had an issue and you recently moved in. Getting a mold inspection in this situation will give you peace of mind.
If you had a recent water damage, your property is at risk for microbial growth. The hope is that your professional water mitigation company handled the dry-out properly. However, we’ve often found that many mitigation companies do a poor job of ensuring the structure is fully dry before they remove their equipment.
In this case, it’s always best to have a follow-up mold inspection to ensure the water damage didn’t create a secondary issue like mold.
Many times, the other signs of mold growth aren’t present but you or your family members have persistent allergy or health issues. Mold can hide out in some sneaky places and the only possible indicator of a mold problem is experiencing allergies or constant sickness.
If your family is experiencing this, you should reach out to a professional and get an inspection.
Again, sometimes issues like home/building design and ventilation/airflow are the culprits of recurring mold issues. You may notice that certain rooms tend to be particularly more humid than others due to improper ventilation, small leaks in the building envelope, etc. If you notice these recurring issues, it’s always a great idea to call in a mold professional.
If you live in Ocala, Gainesville, Jacksonville, or the surrounding area and suspect you have a mold problem, call us 24/7 at 855-532-MOLD (6653).
Our team has nearly 60 years of combined experience in mold remediation. We are licensed, certified, insured, and ready to help you. We educate our clients and give them the tools they need to make the best decision for their family and their property.
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