There is no doubt about it, mold can be a nightmare. Regardless of whether it is in your home or business, it instantly creates a worry. For this reason, you should immediately call for a mold assessment to analyze the extent of the damage and to prepare a plan of action to estimate a potential cost.

Found nearly everywhere, mold has the ability to grow on all materials and surfaces so long as there is dampness to be found. Over time, air currents occur and ensure that spores spread and reproduce. As soon as these spores settle on another surface, they start to grow making the problem even worse. Normally, mold does not present a threat to health but can cause structural damage if left untreated.

Nowadays, more modern buildings are built to resist the development of mold which means that the most common cause will come from moisture and dampness. For example, insufficient drying of walls or floors will allow for a perfect breeding ground. In addition to this, leaky roofs, flooding, maintenance, and problems with plumbing can all also cause interior growth of mold. When water vapor condenses on various surfaces, it will settle at a cooler temperature than the air which allows the mold to grow. Soon enough, the vapor will pass through ceilings and walls. If you haven’t got vapor shields or dirt floors, the floors over basements and crawl spaces are prone to mold.

Mold Assessment Process – In a mold assessment, the first step will always be to determine whether any mold is present in a premises. If mold is found, the appearance will normally allow experts to work out what steps are required. Although there are different species of mold, testing isn’t necessary if the mold is flourishing and has been confirmed visibly.

One of the biggest problems with mold is that it can be hidden which is why inspectors will look under sinks and absolutely anywhere that could become a problem. For example, wallpaper removal can effectively release spores which then settle on the wall under the new wallpaper so this is something that needs to be checked if you have recently redecorated.

What the Process Includes – If mold is found, intrusive inspection may be required and this means lifting carpets, moving furniture, removing wallpaper, revealing wall cavities, and examining ventilation ductwork. Thanks to years of experience, experts can normally smell the odors that come with mold which can also be used to find any issues. To start the solution, focus will be on the areas holding moisture or water vapor.