If you’ve found the perfect place to move into, be it a house, a rent-to-own apartment or a condominium unit, it pays to check first if there is mold. Mold isn’t just allergies and a bad smell. It’s about long-term medical issues, and it’s a sign that some of the construction materials have already deteriorated, for whatever reason.

If you even get a hint of allergic reactions or odd smells while walking around your new acquisition – or soon-to-be acquisition, then it pays to have it checked out for molds.

What are molds?

Molds are a form of fungi that grow in the form of thread-like strands or thread-connected little pieces. They usually have a dank, damp smell associated with them, and their spores can trigger allergic reactions. They are usually vivid in coloration, making them easy to spot most of the time. Some molds, however, can injure people through toxics overdoses of certain chemicals, ingestion with infected food, and through extreme allergic reactions.

How do you do a basic inspection?

The first thing you have to do is use your nose – or, if you can, invite a friend over who has an allergy to molds, if he or she is fine, then you probably have nothing to worry about. However, if your friend has reactions, then you should start smelling the air carefully for damp and mold. If you’re in a single-floor house, do look around closet spaces and little-used, rarely-cleaned corners. You should also look behind major appliances and furniture, as the mold may be hidden from view.

If you have a basement or attic, then you should check these areas. DO remember, the more humid the room is, the more likely it can harbor mold.

Once you’ve seen the mold, or you suspect that there is a mold infestation, but you can’t find it, then it’s time to go and contact some mold inspection and mold detection experts. If you’re living in Chicago, for example, you might like to try Breathe Better Air Chicago (bbachicago.com).

Mold inspection and testing

If you’re wondering why you need proper mold inspectors, then here’s a crash course on why.

Certification – Mold inspectors are certified by accredited organizations, which guarantee that their knowledge is as good as required. Even more important, they are periodically asked to recertify, so that they can make sure that they will always be up-to-date with current technology and knowledge about molds.

Experience – Aside from their formal knowledge, mold inspectors should have the experience to know how the mold may be hiding in your house, or, if it’s easily seen, then how widespread the infection is. This requires training in the field before once can be certified as a true mold inspector.

Testing – Mold inspectors also have the requisite equipment or laboratories for testing what kind of mold is currently in your house. This is particularly important, since if you do have a toxic mold in your house, then you may have to seek a legal solution for your troubles.

Analysis – After all is said and done, mold inspectors can collate all their findings into a report that will not only outline to you the scope of your mold issues, but also suggest to you the next steps in what to do to remove mold from the house or apartment. This report can then be submitted to house cleaning services for proper execution, or the mold inspector can also offer services to that effect, given that he had a company that can offer the cleaning service as well.

What inspectors check on

Mold inspectors check on the following, to see which one might be a possible source of mold growth, or an environment that can encourage mold growth.

Roof Leaks – Ill-maintained roofs and gutters can lead to roof leaks, which can encourage a moist environment within the roofing materials. Sadly, most people don’t think about this possibility.

Landscaping – Poor design for a house’s landscaping may actually pull water towards the house, and this can lead to mold infestations in any area where the water goes in during bad weather.

Foundation – A poorly-ventilated crawlspace, or cracks in the foundation can also encourage mold growth. Even worse, the main support beams can also become infested with mold if the humidity in the crawlspace is high enough.

Sprinklers and garden hoses – Do be sure to align your sprinklers correctly, so that they will not keep on wetting the side of your house. The constant dampness that can be produced by the sprinklers can trigger mold growth. You should also be careful with using the garden hose, so that you won’t have to get any part of the house more wet than it should be.

Plumbing – If your pipes are leaking from bad connections, or if some of them are cracked already, then the area around these can have mold, triggered by the high humidity or even condensation or wetness. This also isn’t just about piping and other similar issues, it’s about proper caulking for water fixtures an as faucets, kitchen sinks, and even larger concerns such as bathtubs, or the whole shower booth.

Plants – Plants and trees that are in contact with your outer wall might be allowing moisture into your home or property, with their moist presence, and particularly if they are growing into the weak sports of the wall area. Trees and shrubs, in particular, can also encourage mold growth because it keeps certain areas around it in shadow, away from the sunlight.

Again, if you’re in the Chicago area, do contact Breathe Better Air Chicago (bbachicago.com).