When you think about the different types of Mold Inspections Louisville KY available today, you may wonder how anyone can tell its type. For starters, it’s important to understand what exactly mold is. Once you have a better understanding, you’ll be able to tell if there is any dangerous mold growing in your home.
Before having your mold inspection performed, the first step is to ensure that you have a mold remediation professional come out to evaluate the situation. This professional should contact your insurance company so that they can do an immediate assessment of the damage. After the assessment is complete, your insurance company can determine whether or not you qualify for a mold remediation process. If they rule out the possibility of mold, the remediation team can begin to work on eliminating the problem.
A mold inspection done professionally is usually a simple process that only requires the review of documents detailing the current condition of your home’s ventilation and environment. Mold or mildew, also sometimes called fungus, is an aerobic (oxygen-requiring) fungus that grows on damp, wet materials. Mold is an essential part of our environment and is naturally found in damp, dark areas of our homes; usually indoor mold growth is limited to attics and crawlspaces where moisture has been trapped and cannot escape. In fact, some molds are actually beneficial because they break down organic material such as fallen trees and leaves.
The purpose of the mold inspection is to look for evidence of abnormal mold growth and signs of water damage. Typically the inspector will take samples from a number of locations inside your home. Sometimes this includes attics, basements, crawlspaces, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and outside on your property lines.
When the mold inspector arrives at the inspection site he/she will assess the current state of your air quality. Mold growth occurs when there is an accumulation of moisture in the atmosphere. Air must have a specific amount of moisture in order to be healthy and mold spores cannot thrive without moisture. The inspectors report on how much moisture is in the air in addition to determining whether any structural damage exists, and if so, whether it is in a state that can be remedied. It is important to understand that the inspection is not a guarantee that there is no mold or mildew growth in your home.
Mold inspectors are licensed by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). They are regulated by a government agency called the MSS (Master Service System). This system is composed of over 800 different types of mold inspectors and they are monitored by MSS officials. This ensures consistent treatment of mold by ensuring each inspector follows set guidelines and adheres to their personal mold inspection policy.
The mold inspectors use equipment that can detect invisible things like tiny leaks in HVAC systems (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) and detect how much mold is growing in an area. Some systems that are inspected use UV light that is non-invasive; however, others are required to be photographed and measured to see if the amount of mold in an area is increasing. The inspectors are trained to know where leaks in HVACs are located and can indicate if there is a need for more than simple repair work to be done.
Molds are not the most threatening substance to humans. Although molds can cause illness and some allergic reactions, the vast majority of people will not become ill from a mold problem. If you suspect a mold problem in your home, you should contact a reputable mold inspection service to get rid of the mold problem. If it turns out that there is mold in your home, the mold inspectors will tell you what type it is, how severe the problem is, and tell you how best to deal with the mold issue.