Sunday, January 8, 2012

The Advantages of Testing for Mold

People often underestimate the seriousness of mold. Mold in your home is not only unsightly; it is also extremely dangerous to you and your family. Testing for mold is one thing you can do at home on a regular basis to avoid too much build-up of these microscopic fungi.

Mold can cause all kinds of respiratory discomforts. A common side effect of exposure to airborne mold is random sneezing. Also look out for coughing, sneezing, watering eyes, skin problems and breathing issues.

The process of mold testing is generally based on a thorough set of tests on the air around your home. The process is quite involved, so you may have to call in a professional who has all of the right equipment and know how. Almost all tests reveal that there is mold present in the air, but you then need to determine if it is dangerous or not.

Having said that, many types of mold are extremely toxic. If your mold contains mycotoxins, it can be extremely dangerous. The ominous name of these little spores is indicative of their power - they have been known to lead to serious neurological death and, in extreme cases, death.

If the level of mold has become worse than normal, a mold inspection could become necessary. These mold inspections are quite an ordeal, and they involve an extensive visual examination of your home. Using proper tools and equipment, the goal of home inspectors is to come up with photographs of the actual infected areas for proper identification, a diagnosis of the source of mold and recommendation on how to remove it, a suggested plan of action, and laboratory test results revealing the overall mold level and analyses.

However, these inspections come at quite a heavy cost, which is often a deterrent, particularly for those on a budget. For practical and economic reasons, you could consider hiring experts as your last line of defense. You can save money and still get rid of your mold infestation of you go about the process in the right way.

You need to be well educated - read books on mold so that you understand where they are likely to thrive. Most of the time, you will find mold in places that are dark, damp, and warm, but certain varieties do thrive outdoors. You can benefit from having all leaky vents, showers and taps repaired before a problem develops.

You also need to take preventative steps in storage spaces, which people tend t take for granted Clutter and dust are your enemies in this battle - also, try to shift your furniture once in a while. Lighting and ventilation also have a role to play.

A pleasant, open home is not likely to encourage the growth of mold. Mold lives off decaying organic matter, so try to keep your home free of old and rotting food. Inexpensive online tests are usually sufficient for checking your home after a cleaning.

As with other problems in life, knowing your enemy is half the battle won. Testing for mold will only be successful if you know everything you can about mold. Despite the fact that mold can never be totally removed, you can greatly reduce the risk of toxic infestations.

When in search of assistance in your toxic mold testing endeavor, hitting the link will help.