Mold can be dangerous, particularly to children and people with allergies or asthma. If you suspect you have mold in your home, you may want to have it inspected. This can help to make your home a healthier place to live, and having an inspection that shows there is no mold in your home can also be a benefit if you are looking to sell the house. Here are a few things to expect from your mold inspection.

Air Samples

Mold doesn't just exist in your walls and floors. If you have mold in your home, there may be spores in the air as well. Your mold inspection expert will take samples of the air in your home from several rooms in the home. He or she may even take samples from rooms you don't think have a mold problem, but remember that spores can travel throughout the air in your home. This means there may be spores in areas you didn't expect.

Moisture Detection

One way to determine if there is mold in the home, particularly in the walls, is to check for moisture and dampness. If the mold is contained within the walls, your mold removal expert won't open up the wall, as this can release more spores into the air. Instead, he or she might record where the moisture was detected so a mold remediation expert can open up the walls and work to remove the mold at a later date. If you've had a recent roof or window leak, be sure to point out the locations of the leaks so the inspector can check them.

Surface Swabs

For visible mold, the inspector may take swabs of the surface where the mold is located. The samples will help to determine what type of mold you have, which can provide you with valuable information, including the habitability of your home and how to best remove the mold. The inspector may also swab surfaces that don't appear to have mold, particularly if moisture was detected in the area.

Preparing For The Visit

You won't have to do much to prepare for the visit, but there are a few basic things you can do. Be sure that the home is clean and that there is a clear path leading to any areas you suspect have mold. If possible, keep pets out of the home during the inspection so they don't get in the way. If you have questions for the inspector, take notes throughout the appointment and ask them at the end. He or she should be willing to discuss the results of the visit.

If your inspection reveals that you do have mold in your home, schedule an appointment with a mold remediation expert so you can remove the mold and make your home safe once again.

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