​Why You Should Have a Mold Inspection after Water Damage

Why a Mold Inspection is Crucial After Water Damage

Some types of water damage take on the form of a sudden deluge. A pipe bursts, and your upstairs bedroom and bathroom flood. Other types are more gradual. There may be hidden seepage. Heavy rainfall may result in attic leaks that do not penetrate right away but affect wooden structures and insulation. After multiple rains, you notice the problem. By then, the damage can be extensive. Should you ask for a mold inspection after dealing with the cause of the problem?

Moisture + Heat = an Ideal Environment for Mold Growth

Mold spores grow best in moist, warm environments. Even a one-time influx of water can be sufficient for spores to sprout. It is a common misconception that the resulting mold growth is readily visible to the naked eye. Although it is true that in extreme cases you cannot help but notice the black, green, or blue-tinted fungal spread, in other situations the growth may take place in hidden areas. By the time you see the fungi, it may have already been growing for weeks or even months.

What a Mold Inspection Reveals

An expert inspecting your property for mold after water damage does more than giving the space a visual once-over. Training and experience have taught the specialist where to look for hidden fungal colonies. The inspection may bring to light a number of results.

• Past mold problems. If your home shows signs of prior mold growth, there is a chance that the water damage is a recurring problem. Every time the water leaks into the house, it revives the spores of the last mold growth. This is a sign that you need to consider more extensive repairs to remove the possibility of further water damage.
• Ongoing fungal growths. Inspections do not just focus on the obvious places such as the shower or the wallpaper in the kitchen. Instead, they also look in areas that you do not typically see. Such locations could include the drywall in the garage or the insulation in the attic. Wood beams in a crawlspace are also targets of mold inspections.
• Indoor air quality problems. Technicians will measure humidity and moisture in various areas of the home. Next, they gauge air particle loads. By using spore traps, experts can localize fungal sources and determine what strains grow in the house. Doing so is an invaluable step when you plan to eradicate the mold later on.

Is the Mold Inspection Necessary?

Contractors came in and fixed the leak. You are confident that there is no more water leaking into your home. Is the mold inspection essential? It is. For starters, it gives you the peace of mind that comes from knowing that the leak was fixed properly. If you had someone come in to handle the mold remediation already, the inspection proves that the fungi were eradicated and there is no residual growth.

Learn more about the steps that the experts take to inspect your home for current or former mold growth. The professionals at Healthy Air USA gladly answer all of your questions. Contact us today to learn more.