4 Ways To Check For Mold

Mold refers to a variety of fungi that grows in warm, humid conditions around your house. The fungus is able to reproduce by releasing microscopic spores in the air, enabling it to spread. Thousands of species of fungi exist around the world, so if you live in Australia, the strain of mold will be completely different compared to a strain here in Canada.

Mold exposure can be harmful to your health, even in small doses. Minor symptoms of exposure include dizziness, shortness of breath, and skin rashes, while more serious symptoms include seizures, aneurysms, and chronic lung disease. If you think there’s mold in your house, here are four easy ways to check and identify if you’ve got a problem on your hands.

1)    Use Your Senses

If you’re concerned your property has mold, it’s important to do a bit of research and use your basic senses. Mold typically first appears in bathrooms, basements and laundry rooms, where the humidity levels are the highest. Patches of mold may look like a stain on the wall, which can appear green, brown or black. If you touch these patches, they should feel slightly texturized, often feeling like velvet. It also emits a pungent odour, so you’ll definitely be able to smell it the moment you walk in a room.

2)    Get A Special Kit

You can purchase several mold kits off the Internet to test the air quality in your home for spores. These kits range in price and function but can give you a positive indication if there’s mold present. You can also purchase a dehumidifier or an air purifier, which traps all the spores within a disposable filter. While purifiers and dehumidifiers are great at trapping contaminants, they won’t get rid of the mold growing on hard surfaces.

3)    Hire A Professional

If you know there’s mold in your home, you need to call a qualified professional who will be able to assess the situation and facilitate a clean-up. If you find a lot of mold in one specific area, it’s important to not touch it until a professional arrives, because you can inhale the spores and can develop a wide range of health complications. Professionals will always wear protective suits and masks to minimize this risk.

4)    Clean Regularly

After the professionals have cleaned everything, there’s still a strong possibility of the mold returning. You need to remain vigilant at all times and regularly clean areas where mold thrives. Disinfecting with an antibacterial solution or vinegar will also prevent the mold from returning and reproducing, so it’s important to use these types of solutions instead of using regular soap.

Dealing with mold can be extremely challenging, so it’s imperative you consult with a professional who can provide the best advice. For new homeowners, it’s also really important to keep an eye out for mold and to ensure you’re not purchasing a home that’s going to need a large-scale cleaning afterwards. For more information regarding mold removal services, you can visit EExterminateur.