Nasal irritation that worsens in your home may be an indicator of mold growth.

There are numerous valid reasons to test for mold:

 

  • Verify that your indoor mold-spore count is not higher than the outdoor mold-spore count.
    Mold is ubiquitous, that is, it can be found everywhere. So, the question is not “Are there mold spores in my house?” but rather, “Are there elevated levels of mold spores in my house?” Chronically damp structural materials can promote mold colonization and proliferation and that environment can result in higher mold-spore counts indoors when compared to the outdoor mold-spore count.
  • Make sure your home purchase is a great experience.
    A mold inspection (also referred to as an assessment) is just as prudent as a home inspection or termite inspection. It’s important to know if there are elevated moisture readings anywhere in the house because, if there are, it can indicate a cozy place for mold to develop and thrive. It’s good to check anything that looks like mold and at least spot check for airborne mold spores that exceed mold counts outdoors around your house. Just ensure mold isn’t creeping in uninvited into your dream home.
  • Determine the presence or absence of any mold varieties known to be toxic.
    Are your symptoms of illness being caused by toxic mold? If a person has a high sensitivity to mold spores then the level or the type will not make much difference. Yet, scientific evidence linking some toxic varieties to disease is increasing.  Bye Bye Mold™ air sampling will provide the types of mold found in the areas tested and the results are compared to a baseline test taken outdoors. [However, it is important to remember that some environmental professionals highly recommend a zero tolerance of target spores (like Stachybotrys sp.) in post-remediation spore trap samples.]
  • Check indoor spore counts when mold indicators are present, even if the mold cannot be seen.
    Mold growth may not be where you can see it. Known water intrusion, a musty odor, or nasal (or other respiratory) irritation may indicate that a mold colony exists somewhere in the structure. Testing will help to identify if there is a mold problem, even when its location is a mystery.
  • Ascertain the levels of mold that are present.
    Although mold is mold, and its presence calls for remediation, it is useful to know if the ambient airborne levels are in a range of thousands, or hundreds of thousands. For example, this may affect decisions regarding the timeliness of remediation, and whether it is safe to continue to occupy the premises.
  • Discover whether a flood has resulted in elevated levels of mold spores.
    Floods in homes and offices can occur due to breaks in plumbing lines, or failure of plumbing fixtures. After the cleanup and drying, it is useful to test for mold to assure occupants that mold spore levels are normal, even after the flooding.
  • Support a legal case.
    A lawyer or plaintiff usually needs to have objective evidence of the presence or absence of mold and mold exposure to support a legal action. Testing can show scientifically that mold was, or was not, present in the tested areas.
  • Establish the presence of mold proliferation and the justification for remediation.
    Many remediators and insurance companies will not authorize or undertake mold remediation if the presence of mold growth is not scientifically demonstrated.
  • Set the parameters for the remediation.
    Many remediation companies will not initiate an abatement project without the input of a testing company to define the boundaries of the affected area needing remediation.
  • “Clear” a remediation. In other words, demonstrate that all mold levels are normal after remediation.
    Often, mold remediation will miss a mold-contaminated area. Testing of the air in the contained work area will assure that the levels inside the work area are reduced to outdoor levels. This also provides documentation for future real estate transfers that the mold was properly and effectively removed.

Don’t risk exposure to toxic contaminants. If you suspect that you have toxic contaminants in your house, give Bye Bye Mold a call 24/7 at (800) 686-1992.

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