Mold, which is commonly called mildew, is a type of fungus that grows in a fluffy or fuzzy pattern on solid surfaces. They are one of the most common forms of fungus in the entire world, and they can thrive in any condition as long as there is moisture. Humans can suffer adverse health effects if they are exposed to dangerous forms of mold, so it is very important that you learn how to find mold and how to test for mold. This knowledge could potentially save your life, or someone else's life, some time in the future.
Method 1 of 2: Where to Check for Mold
1Check places that are full of moisture. Moisture is the most important condition for the successful spread of mold, so it should be the very first thing that you look out for. Humidity is a primary cause of indoor moisture, and indoor humidity fluctuates much more frequently than outdoor humidity. Keep an eye out in locations such as under the sink or in the basement.Ad
2Check places that have been recently damaged by water. If you live in a climate that floods often, your house may suffer water damage. If you had a water pipe burst recently and the water was not cleaned up properly, you may soon find a mold problem in that general area. Inspect water-damaged areas carefully for potential mold growth.
3Check ceiling spaces and wall cavities. The spacing between walls and the spacing above ceilings are prime locations for the growth of mold, especially because those locations tend to be sealed off, thus trapping moisture. Furthermore, home piping tends to drip and leak in the areas between walls, adding further to the moisture. Mold growing in these areas will continue to spread and will eventually become exposed on the visible sides of the walls and ceilings, so you will want to catch it before it spreads too much.
4Check the shower curtains in all of your bathrooms. The dirt and grime that washes off of your body has a tendency to mix with shampoo and soap residue, ultimately collecting on the shower curtains. Unless you wipe down your shower curtains after every shower, there will be excess moisture that allows mold to grow on the curtains.
5Check your household air ducts and vents. If your house has central cooling or central heating, your ducts and vents will experience fluctuations in humidity and moisture. Because of the constant mixture of hot and cold air, moisture tends to condense on cooling coils and collects in drain pans. If the condensation or pooled water grows too stagnant, it can become a prime location for the growth of mold.
Method 2 of 2: How to Test for Mold
1Use an in-home mold testing kit. In-home mold testing kits come equipped with their own instruments and instructions. Follow the kit's directions and submit the sampling to a local lab. However, the drawbacks to these kits are that they can be difficult to use and their results tend to be unreliable. If another testing option is available, then an in-home mold testing kit is not recommended.
2Hire a professional mold inspector for home evaluation. A professional mold inspector will have a number of instruments for mold detection and inspection that you would not have access to otherwise. When hiring a professional, however, consult your state's contractor-licensing board to ensure that your mold inspector is licensed for mold remediation.
3Check the infected area periodically after the mold has been cleaned. For example, if the cabinet under your kitchen sink is where the mold problem occurred, then you should check that location once every few days to see if the mold returns. If the mold returns, your cleanup efforts were ineffective.Ad
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- There are numerous types of mold and different people are susceptible to different types. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), finding out the exact type of mold in your home is not a necessary step. Instead, the CDC recommends removing all forms of mold from your home regardless of their type. Therefore, mold testing is not a high priority prior to cleanup, but rather it is an important step to take after cleanup to ensure that all mold has been removed effectively.
- Testing Air Ducts: What about borescopes? Sometimes a digital borescope with a flexible fiber optic cable to aid in the visual inspection of AC ducts helps. At times a borescope can aid in such investigations. Even the bottom of the duct becomes visible when using a borescope. Such devices can be a useful tool but they are not perfect, they have limitations. One limitation of borescopes is that the size and color of contamination in any location inspected with a borescope is distorted. With or without a borescope you can only see so far into a duct. If the duct makes a sudden 90 turn then you will not be able to see beyond that turn. Though borescopes can be an aid, when possible a visual inspection with the unaided eye is often better. For more information on testing mold in Air Ducts Check out this post from A Accredited Mold Inspection Service, Inc. http://www.floridamoldtesting.net/how-to-inspect-ac-ducts.htm