Mold detection – How to detect toxic mold in your home?
Mold is a type of tiny living organism in the fungus family. The spores thrive on moisture and spread rapidly in the presence of moisture. They can grow on any material and surface, particularly objects made of cellulose.
Recent studies show that most homes have some form of mold infection due to unknown indoor moisture problems. This leads to rapid growth of damp areas like bathrooms, water damaged basements, pipes, and leaky roofs. Indoor mold growth poses a major health threat and must be removed quickly to prevent its spread. Therefore, the detection of mold is very important, one must be very attentive to the presence of this small organism and take the appropriate measures to prevent it from multiplying.
Do-it-yourself mold detection at home
1. Look for visible mold.
Recognizing the natural characteristics of the organism will aid in the detection of visible mold. It appears in the form of a cotton-like element. They usually develop in gray, green, black or white.
2. Smell the mold.
Another easy way to detect mold is by smell. These killer organisms produce strong musty, earthy odors. So whenever there are moldy smells that put you off, start investigating right away. However, there are still some species that do not have an odor and that tend to grow behind walls, between panels and channels. So, if your home doesn’t smell moldy, it may not mean your home is mold-free.
3. Base search.
If your basement is experiencing water damage, such as a flood, you may want to do a thorough checkup on your basement, as your basement is most likely riddled with toxic mold. Look for any signs of water seepage or water stains on walls and ceilings. Strong musty odors could be an indication of infection.
4. Watch out for hidden mold.
Invisible mold is considered the most dangerous type, as it can grow very large without being detected by the naked eye. Watch out for frequent bouts of nasal congestion or nasal congestion and constant throat clearing. These could suggest the presence of a hidden growth of this dangerous organism. The unknown earthy smells would further confirm its existence.
5. DIY test kits for mold detection.
Get a do-it-yourself test kit to help detect harmful molds in your home. These test kits can be obtained at most hardware and home improvement outlets. They are easy to use, following the instructions you can get the results instantly.
6. Get help from a certified inspector.
When you experience symptoms similar to mold exposure but do not detect the presence of this dangerous living organism, you can get help from certified mold inspectors. Their mold detection expertise can help pinpoint the exact spots of potential hidden growth.