Did you know, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), visible mold hazardous to occupants makes housing unfit for habitation under the California Housing Code? And it is rightly so. California offers a high level of humidity and an array of climates that range from wet to dry. Such climatic conditions give mold the perfect environment to thrive. After all, it loves humid and moist areas. Plus, it doesn’t only pose significant hazards to your health, but property as well.
It can cause extensive structural damage, weakening your property’s walls, ceilings, and floors. All of this leads to costly repairs and potential safety risks. However, it happens to be equally hazardous for your health as well. In fact, if you or anyone in your house already has respiratory issues, then it is better to be more cautious. This unwanted guest in your house can lead to allergies, coughing, nasal congestion, throat irritation, skin rashes, etc.
All of this underscores the need for mold testing and inspections. In this blog, we will give you ten reasons why you should schedule a mold test for your home before it’s too late.
Helps Minimize Mold Exposure
We’re all now aware of how mold is a major health hazard. In fact, it is the primary suspect in the cases of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), which is a multi-symptom illness affecting the heart, lungs, and central nervous system. By getting mold testing and inspections, you get professional help for tracing the mold within your house. Once you know where the problem really lies, you’ll be able to minimize exposure and protect your loved ones.
Protects Your Property from Structural Damage
Let’s speak scientifically, shall we? Mold is a parasite that feeds on organic hosts, such as:
- Paper
- Cardboard
- Ceiling tiles
- Wood
- Drywall
Now, if you let mold be unchecked, it can devour building material, leading to dry rot. If you don’t pay attention to this issue when needed, it can result in worse conditions. You might need to raze your home’s entire structure to the ground.
By scheduling a mold test, you can locate and remediate mold growth before it becomes a threat. Eventually, this will save your property from major structural damage and you from major pocket damage. All thanks to mold inspectors.
These experts look for mold in areas that you mostly miss out. They would check behind walls, inside flooring or ceiling tubes, under plumbing, under appliances, etc. So, yeah, they have a better shot at removing mold before it gets out of control and affects the area of your property.
Highlights Water Damage
You might find it hard to believe, but mold doesn’t grow spontaneously. In fact, its growth is directly related to water damage. Once settled on a damp surface, mold spores multiply rapidly, and there you have it: a full-blown infestation.
So, to deal with mold growth entirely, you will need to address moisture within your home. A professional mold inspector can help you in this regard. They will locate areas with high water content by using moisture meters. Once you know where moisture exists in your property, you will be able to eliminate it permanently.
Provides an Accurate Mold Assessment
Most of the time, homeowners try to be “savvy” and decide to invest in a mold test kit, but DIY-ing mold assessment is not recommended, and here’s why:
Usually, the mold test kits are misleading and inaccurate. One of the most important reasons is because they don’t really come with a visual inspection. So, if you suspect an issue, then they won’t do enough to track it down and analyze its intensity. Plus, you might not know, but every home has a mold issue to some extent. At times when the DIY test kits give positive results, you won’t have enough to catch the issue.
On the other hand, professional testing for mold in the home gives reliable results and precise information – something you can use to handle the issue further.
Enables You to Plan Ahead
With the mold inspection, you get enough idea about what you’re dealing with, and with this, you can detail a comprehensive course of action. Once you’re aware of the extent of the infestation, you can decide on how and when to start the removal process.
Improves Indoor Air Quality
Remember, airborne mold spores can directly impact your home’s indoor air quality. If you live with people who are susceptible to mold, then the high concentration of mold spores in your indoor air can lead to different issues like:
- Allergic reactions
- Eye irritation
- Itchy throat
- Congested sinuses
Professional mold inspections will also sample your indoor air and give you an approximate spore count. Once you have this information, you can decide your further steps to improve your property’s indoor air quality.
Maintains Property Value
Most of the homebuyers in California are smart enough to understand the importance of mold tests and inspections. And trust us, nobody is looking forward to witnessing mold patches in their new house. So, if you’re choosing to sell the property, it is better to schedule a mold inspection and resolve the issue before putting it on the market. With the help and recommendations of your mold inspector, you can also make a remediation plan and fix the issues within a specific timeframe.
Conclusion
Primarily, a professional mold inspection is just a visual inspection, but the professionalism that comes along is what makes it worth it. Inspectors know what they’re looking for and where. They use advanced, high-tech equipment to the inspection to make the inspection more thorough and accurate. An example of such equipment is thermal imaging cameras.
Moreover, during a mold inspection, your entire house is checked – every nook and cranny. So, you might get to know about mold’s existence where you least expected. In fact, the inspectors might also remove paneling or drywall to have a better look inside your ceilings and walls (something you might not do on your own). We can say that with professional mold inspections and testing, there aren’t any half-measures. In the end, you will be rest assured that your entire house underwent mold inspection and nothing was left behind.
Ensure the safety and integrity of your home with Elite Inspections! Our expert team specializes in comprehensive mold testing services to detect and address mold issues before they become hazardous. Don’t let mold compromise your property and health. Contact Elite Inspections today for a thorough evaluation and peace of mind. Your well-being is our top priority!
