Is mold growing in your home? The answer depends on several factors. First of all, you almost certainly have mold spores present in your home, as these microscopic airborne particles exist almost everywhere. However, spores typically remain dormant unless certain specific growth conditions are also present: moisture, temperature and food in the form of microscopic organic particles. Once these requirements are met, mold spores may quickly convert from inactive to active growth stage.
The presence of active airborne spores is an ongoing event as long as the focal point of mold growth remains intact. Because mold frequently establishes itself in remote or inaccessible areas, without formal testing you may be unaware of mold growing in your home.
What Professional Mold Testing Involves
- Airborne testing " A technician will take air samples from several areas inside living areas, as well as zones like the attic and crawl space. At a laboratory, particulates present in the air with be examined under a microscope to estimate the concentration of mold spores in the air. Airborne reproductive mold spores in concentration are highly suggestive of mold growth somewhere in the home.
- Surface testing " Using swabs and tape-lift methods, household surfaces will be sampled for the presence of mold spores that have settled out of the air. Accuracy of this method varies as presence of spores on surfaces is often inconsistent.
- Bulk testing " After a thorough inspection of the premises, any suspect growth found in the home will be directly examined, sampled and tested in the laboratory. If active mold growth is revealed in the sample, this test is considered conclusive and professional remediation is usually advised to prevent further spread.
What do if you have mold growing in your home? Contact the professionals at Rytech for more advice.
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