Mold can enter your home via open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning units. It thrives in places with plenty of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, pipes, or where there was recent flooding.
If you believe you have mold in your home, the best option for you would be to have a mold inspection.
Two Goals: Mold inspection companies have two goals once they arrive at your house. First, they will find out whether there is mold in your house and there it is located. Next they will find the initial water problem source and perform professional mold removal services if need be.
Why a Mold Inspection? If you think you have a mold problem in your house, don’t drive yourself crazy trying to determine the source of the matter. Even though you may already know the source of the mold, it is still important to have an inspection because the mold removal companies will perform indoor air quality testing
An air quality test will tell you and the remediation company what type of mold you have in your home and how much mold you are dealing with. The instruments used can measure the number of mold spores per cubic feet of air. A mold inspection can also determine if you have mold hiding in places unseen (within walls, rafters, etc.)
Signs of Mold: Mold can cause a variety of health problems
- Itchy eyes
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Serious allergic reactions
- Asthma attacks
- Permanent lung damage
Finding Mold: If the mold inspection company finds mold in your home, they will note this in their mold inspection report. On the report will include the species of mold found and where it was found. The company may also take samples to send back to the lab to determine whether or not the mold is toxic. If so, you will most likely need to temporarily leave your house.
Cost of Mold Inspection: Be wary of a free mold inspection, very often companies will find mold in your home and end up charging you a large amount for the remediation process. They will try their hardest to find mold-related problems even if your home may not have any.
Other mold inspections may vary in price, usually ranging from as low as $300 to as high as $3,000 — depending on the severity of the mold and what procedures need to be done to get at the mold.
Keep in mind that a mold inspection is different from the remediation process. An inspection is just the assessment process, whereas the mold remediation treatment is the actual removal of the mold and setting up preventative measures. Links like this.