Mold Inspections in Burlington
One good thing about mold is, unlike lead paint and other hazardous contaminants, you can see it. And if you can see it, you can assume it is growing and spreading. Keep in mind that mold can grow in places you cannot see, such as in your HVAC system or inside your walls. It can also form colonies so tiny that they aren’t visible to the naked eye. A few situations should prompt you to seek out a mold tester in Burlington to get a mold inspection:
Water backup: If your basement flooded, roof leaked, or a pipe sprayed water everywhere, you absolutely need to inspect for mold. Any place that got wet and was not dried within 24 to 48 hours can easily become contaminated by mold.
Purchasing a new home: There is no way to know what happened in a home you’re looking to buy except through an inspection. Most home inspectors will test for mold, but be sure to make sure those are part of his services.
After a house has been unoccupied: If a house has been unoccupied for months or years, humidity may have built up inside and caused mold to grow. This is a common occurrence in warmer areas with high humidity.
After mold remediation: If you have gone through a mod remediation already, regular mold inspections are a good idea to make sure there is no regrowth.
You see mold: If you notice green, blue, black or white stuff growing in your house, call us to do a free mold inspection to check all areas that it may be affecting.
Water backup: If your basement flooded, roof leaked, or a pipe sprayed water everywhere, you absolutely need to inspect for mold. Any place that got wet and was not dried within 24 to 48 hours can easily become contaminated by mold.
Purchasing a new home: There is no way to know what happened in a home you’re looking to buy except through an inspection. Most home inspectors will test for mold, but be sure to make sure those are part of his services.
After a house has been unoccupied: If a house has been unoccupied for months or years, humidity may have built up inside and caused mold to grow. This is a common occurrence in warmer areas with high humidity.
After mold remediation: If you have gone through a mod remediation already, regular mold inspections are a good idea to make sure there is no regrowth.
You see mold: If you notice green, blue, black or white stuff growing in your house, call us to do a free mold inspection to check all areas that it may be affecting.
Tips from the Pros
"If you've discovered mold in your home or property, there's no reason not to get a professional inspection. We offer free mold inspection to Des Moines county residents. Mold is too dangerous to mess around with. Call us today for a prompt response and resolution." - Brandon, Owner
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Mold Inspections and Testing
If you are researching mold problems, you may see different services that list both mold inspection and mold testing. Mold inspection simply identifies the presence of mold and will usually define the size of the problem in square feet. Mold testing takes things one step further to identify what specific type of mold is in your home and the concentration of mold spores are in the air. Keep in mind:
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens during a mold inspection?
Mold inspection is, for the most part, a visual inspection of a house. There’s usually no special equipment needed aside from a good flashlight, a camera, and access tools to get to hard-to-reach areas (like ducts or attics). We may also use a moisture meter to determine if a particular area is wet, especially after remediation.
We will discuss with you where you have seen mold and where there may have been moisture problems or water damage in the past. We will review the property thoroughly, looking in places known to be prone to mold growth. If we suspect mold is growing in an inaccessible area, we may remove a portion of the wall to get a better look. If mold is detected, we will work to locate the source of the moisture that is causing the mold and then work on a remediation plan.
Even if you have already identified mold before we arrived, we always recommend getting us involved so we can determine the extent of the problem and the best mold cleanup plan.
How much does a mold inspection cost?
We offer free mold inspection in Des Moines county, as well as free mold remediation estimates.
How do I find the right mold inspector?
Look for a mold removal company, like us, that has years of experience and specializes in mold removal. Duct cleaning companies, house cleaning companies, and other similar businesses are not generally equipped to inspect for or handle mold removal effectively.
What do I do after the inspection?
If the mold inspection finds mold in your home, the next step is to make a remediation plan. This will begin with removing the moisture source that’s allowing the mold to flourish. If you fail to remove the source, mold will grow back after removal. Generally, hard surfaces can be scrubbed and washed. Soft surfaces like carpets and furniture will have to be cut out and/or replaced as it is impossible to clean all mold out of porous items.
This can be a do-it-yourself job if the mold is only in a small area. If the mold contamination exceeds 10 square feet, we recommend calling in a contractor like us who specializes in mold remediation. Mold can be dangerous to work with, especially for someone with respiratory issues. We have the correct equipment to do the job effectively and safely.
How do I prevent mold?
Repair leaks quickly. Whether it is a leak in your roof or a leaky pipe, fix it fast to keep moisture out of your house.
Clean and dry things promptly. If your basement floods or water spills onto your carpet, dry everything completely within 24 to 48 hours. Mold needs moisture to grow, so prompt drying is critical.
Control humidity. Very humid air can provide enough moisture for mold to form on surfaces. Use a dehumidifier in your house and run the air-conditioning when possible during the summer. Install vents in your kitchen and bathroom to move moist air out quickly.
- A proper scientific test of mold is difficult to achieve in a home because of the carefully controlled conditions required, so results may vary from test to test, regardless of remediation efforts.
- Second, all indoor spaces have mold spores that drift in from outdoors through windows, doors, and on clothing, so mold tests will usually provide a long list of species, most or none of which are actually growing in your home.
- Third, the EPA has set no guidelines for a safe amount of mold spores in a home, so mold tests may not be useful depending on why you’re doing them. We instead recommend hiring a professional mold remediation company in Burlington, like us, to inspect for growing colonies and determine if a test is necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens during a mold inspection?
Mold inspection is, for the most part, a visual inspection of a house. There’s usually no special equipment needed aside from a good flashlight, a camera, and access tools to get to hard-to-reach areas (like ducts or attics). We may also use a moisture meter to determine if a particular area is wet, especially after remediation.
We will discuss with you where you have seen mold and where there may have been moisture problems or water damage in the past. We will review the property thoroughly, looking in places known to be prone to mold growth. If we suspect mold is growing in an inaccessible area, we may remove a portion of the wall to get a better look. If mold is detected, we will work to locate the source of the moisture that is causing the mold and then work on a remediation plan.
Even if you have already identified mold before we arrived, we always recommend getting us involved so we can determine the extent of the problem and the best mold cleanup plan.
How much does a mold inspection cost?
We offer free mold inspection in Des Moines county, as well as free mold remediation estimates.
How do I find the right mold inspector?
Look for a mold removal company, like us, that has years of experience and specializes in mold removal. Duct cleaning companies, house cleaning companies, and other similar businesses are not generally equipped to inspect for or handle mold removal effectively.
What do I do after the inspection?
If the mold inspection finds mold in your home, the next step is to make a remediation plan. This will begin with removing the moisture source that’s allowing the mold to flourish. If you fail to remove the source, mold will grow back after removal. Generally, hard surfaces can be scrubbed and washed. Soft surfaces like carpets and furniture will have to be cut out and/or replaced as it is impossible to clean all mold out of porous items.
This can be a do-it-yourself job if the mold is only in a small area. If the mold contamination exceeds 10 square feet, we recommend calling in a contractor like us who specializes in mold remediation. Mold can be dangerous to work with, especially for someone with respiratory issues. We have the correct equipment to do the job effectively and safely.
How do I prevent mold?
Repair leaks quickly. Whether it is a leak in your roof or a leaky pipe, fix it fast to keep moisture out of your house.
Clean and dry things promptly. If your basement floods or water spills onto your carpet, dry everything completely within 24 to 48 hours. Mold needs moisture to grow, so prompt drying is critical.
Control humidity. Very humid air can provide enough moisture for mold to form on surfaces. Use a dehumidifier in your house and run the air-conditioning when possible during the summer. Install vents in your kitchen and bathroom to move moist air out quickly.