If you suspect that mold is growing in your home, it could be polluting your indoor air quality, aggravating allergies, and causing immense property damage behind the scenes. First, you need to find it, though.
Mold is tricky. It tends to hide underneath floorboards, in the attic, or beneath the crawlspace in your home. Making a mistake when tracking mold can worsen the situation; you might wind up spreading mold spores even deeper into the property.
Does Your Home Have Hidden Mold?
Many strains of mold can easily spread throughout a residential home here in Hawaii. Our humid climate only adds to the risk of mold growth. If you spot mold in one room, chances are it’s elsewhere, too.
This is especially true if you find mold in the walls. Your walls grant access to the rest of the house. So, if you spot a patch of mold, check everywhere for more growth. Start by looking under carpets, inside furniture, underneath floorboards, and especially in the bathroom.
A few other common spots where mold is often discovered include ceiling tiles, inside the HVAC system, inside air ducts, and within the attic. All of these places provide a humid, dark environment, which is an ideal breeding ground for mold.
Mold Test Kits
If you visit a local hardware or home improvement store, you’ll find viable mold test kits. Most are designed to test whether mold is present on a single surface, such as the kitchen counter or bathroom vanity. More expensive test kits are also available. These often include testing, but running a lab analysis can cost up to $100.
It should be known that the United States Environmental Protection Agency does not recommend or endorse any type of home mold test kit. You must use them at your own risk. These tests are simple; they are designed to track small mold problems in the home. You won’t have much luck testing for a full-blown mold infestation.
Professional Mold Inspection
You’ll want to schedule a professional mold inspection. A local restoration company in your area can bring in advanced equipment and years of experience to track even the smallest amount of mold. These restoration technicians can find the source of your mold, remedy the problem immediately, and then find the rest of the full-blown infestation. From there, the spores are trapped, removed, and permanently prevented from returning.
You will spend more money on professional mold services than on a home testing kit. However, the results you receive are worthwhile. You are investing in the safety of your home and family.
If you spot any amount of mold in your home, pick up the phone and contact Hawaii Restoration Services. We offer 24-hour mold remediation and inspections services. Give us a call at (808) 468-7978!