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I think I Have Mold? What Should I Do Next?

  

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I think I have mold?  What Should I Do Next? 

YES, You Have Mold in Your Home! Mold is present in every home and the real question is... what levels of mold and what types of mold are present in your home? Normal levels of mold in a home is referred to by the Clean Trust as "Normal Fungal Ecology".   The scientific definition of "Normal Fungal Ecology" is an indoor environment that may have settled spores, fungal fragments or traces of actual growth, whose identity, location and quantity are reflective of a normal fungal ecology for a similar indoor environment. So what does this really mean?  This means there is only the typical amount of mold in your home and it varies in different parts of the country. It depends on the types of mold and the amounts of mold present. However, the most important thing it means is, that there is no active mold growth. So, then back to the question, Do I have elevated mold levels in my home? 

There Are Four Common Signs You Have a Mold Problem:

Moisture:  Dampness from humidity, condensation, plumbing failures or any source from inside a structure.  Chances are if you see moisture in a structure there is already mold.

Odor:  A musty or earthy smell often indicates that mold is hiding, however, not all molds can be detected by smell. 

Leaking:  Leaks go hand in hand with moisture, however, if the structure is leaking the leak needs to be addressed immediately.  Mold growth can occur within 72 hours if not dried properly.  

Discoloration:  Most of the time, the first signs of mold growth is viable mold on the surfaces located in the home ranging from drywall, wood, furniture, to carpet and sometimes clothes. 

Although there are signs of mold growth there are 6 factors essential for mold growth and with out these factors being present mold will not grow:

1.  Presence of mold spores

2.  Nutrient Source (organic substrate)

3.  Water Source (any water)

4.  Time (mold growth can occur within 72 hours)

5.  Environmental Conditions (Temp and Relative Humidity)

6.  Oxygen

Water is the single most important factor for microbial growth - No Water No Mold! So the most important thing to keep in mind is that if you ever have a leak or notice high humidity, you need to deal with the issue as soon as possible! If you think there is a possibility of mold it is recommended to call a restoration company and have the issue tested.

The three most common test that are preformed to determine whether you have a mold problem or if mold is present at elevated levels: 

1. Visual Inspection:  This should be done by a company that is certified by the Clean Trust (IICRC)) or other national certification firm. The most common answer is if you can see the mold you have a mold problem, however it is recommended to get further testing by getting an air quality test preformed or a tape test preformed by a certified contractor. 

2. Air Quality Testing:  This should be done by a company that is certified by a national certification company and is trained in proper air sampling techniques.  These test are sent out to a third party for analysis and should be able to deliver a full air quality report. (Like the pictures below)

3. Tape Testing:  Is generally done as a do it your self type test, however can be used by mold remediation professionals in areas like attics and basements to determine the type of mold present.  

All of these test can determine if the property has mold. In most cases, it is recommended that a Certified Mold Remediation Specialist do the test, to help decipher the results and determine the proper steps that need to be taken if there is a problem. 

Air Sample Test: Percentages Present       Air Sample Test:  Definition & Explanations

As you can see the air sample test is quite accurate and does give great explanations. Now the big question is, what do I do next?  Well in the case above, nothing.  This test was preformed on a house where the home owner thought they had a mold problem and there was a little musty smell in the house. In this case, the mold was not at elevated levels and the homeowner can sleep well at night knowing they do not have a problem.  However, this is not always the case and if elevated levels are found then the proper remediation steps need to be followed and a Certified Mold Restoration company needs to be called. 

I hope this has helped in giving you a first step in determining whether you have a mold problem and understanding the signs of mold and the types of testing that are preformed.  

We preform Mold Testing in the Greater Atlanta Area and do visual inspections for free and air quality tests for $250.00 for three tests. If there is any thing we can help you with please feel free to contact us even if you just have a question, we are more than happy to help.