When Is Mold Testing Necessary?

Mold can be a serious problem, but sometimes it’s hard to know when to request professional mold testing. The experts at Dallas Mold Consultants in Dallas, Texas, have some tips for home and business owners on when to consult with a mold professional. 

When to Request Professional Mold Testing

#1: If there is a persistent musty odor.

Certain types of mold create a persistent, musty odor. Some people describe the smell of mold as a pungent and earthy smell, like wet socks or rotten wood. 

A mold testing company can determine if mold is present, even if the only evidence is a lingering smell. That said, not all types of mold have a smell, so it’s not the only indicator to watch out for. 

#2: There was a recent leak or other water damage in the space.

Mold grows and thrives in wet environments, and it can be found in many hidden places. After plumbing issues, water leaks, or any other kind of water damage, it is crucial to test for the presence of mold. 

#3: If anyone on the property is experiencing health issues that could be related to mold.

Exposure to dangerous mold can cause many serious health issues. This is especially true for people with allergies, asthma, or other respiratory afflictions.

According to the CDC, mold exposure can cause symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, fever, shortness of breath, itchy eyes, and more.

If anyone in the home or building is experiencing these kinds of symptoms, it’s a good idea to schedule a professional mold inspection to test the property and determine if mold is the cause.

Industrial and environmental hygienists can also conduct air quality tests to determine if there are harmful spores in the air causing these health problems.

#4: When considering an at-home mold testing kit.

When some people suspect mold, they rely on over-the-counter or DIY mold testing kits. Unfortunately, these are susceptible to misinterpretation and have proven extremely ineffective.

For starters, visible mold growth is necessary when using many of these at-home tests. If the mold is hidden and not visible, the test is useless. This is one reason professional mold testing services are necessary. They can uncover all types and levels of mold, including what isn’t visible yet.

Even with a properly conducted at-home test, it’s easy to misinterpret the results. Professionals are trained to interpret test results and determine the best course of action for mold removal.

#5: If the indoor environment is particularly humid.

High humidity is perhaps one of the biggest culprits behind mold growth. If a property or home shows signs of high humidity, such as condensation on the windows, a professional mold assessment should be scheduled.

#6: There is visible mold, and it may have spread.

If there is visible mold, schedule mold removal immediately. Mold often spreads unseen to other areas. It can be found under carpets, behind walls, and even in the air. Hiring a testing professional offers peace of mind knowing that all the mold, both the visible and invisible, will be effectively removed.

About Dallas Mold Consultants

Dallas Mold Consultants is an experienced mold testing company ready to provide mold and air quality tests for home and business owners in or around Dallas, TX. Call (972) 945-MOLD (6653) for more information or click here to get in touch today.

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source https://dallasmoldconsultants.com/press-releases/when-is-mold-testing-necessary/

Dallas Mold Consultants Mold Testing Images - 2/23/2021

 

Five Things to Know About Mold and Air Quality Tests in Dallas

Mold is a common problem for home and business owners. It grows rapidly—often over the course of 24 to 48 hours in a damp environment—and poses a serious health hazard if not detected and removed quickly. Dallas Mold Consultants of Dallas, Texas, is one of the leading mold testing companies for finding mold before it damages a person’s home or health.

Dallas Mold Consultants’ innovative mold inspection process uses an air quality test and contact swab sampling to make a mold assessment. This process test quickly identifies potential mold hazards. The professional mold testing team then recommends affordable solutions to get rid of damaging mold.

Five Things to Know About Mold and the Importance of an Air Quality Test

Mold needs moisture to grow. The hot and humid climate of Texas makes it the perfect breeding ground for mold. Many homes and businesses in Dallas, TX, are susceptible to mold regardless of whether they’ve experienced leaks or floods. Following are some reasons people should take mold seriously and use professional mold testing services to find harmful fungus. 

#1: Mold is Dangerous

Mold exposure can cause several health conditions. It often leads to wheezing, itchy skin, and eye irritation. People can have more serious symptoms, including allergic reactions, fungal infections, and asthma. There is no blood test for mold, so people need to use mold testing services to detect it in the environment.

#2: Mold Can Damage Property

Mold is a living fungus that feeds on materials like paper, wood, drywall, and fabrics. If left untreated, it can cause walls, floors, and ceilings to rot beyond repair. Most insurance doesn’t cover mold damage caused by preventable water leaks or flooding. Since mold can cause damage very quickly, building owners need to get a mold assessment following any water damage.

#3: Mold Can Spread Through Air Conditioning and Heating Systems

Mold is commonly found in damp environments like basements and bathrooms. However, it also can spread to an HVAC system and, from there, throughout a building. The Environmental Protection Agency urges building owners to have an industrial hygienist clean ventilation systems affected by mold.

4. You Can’t Always See Mold       

Mold spores are tiny particles that float through the air unseen. They grow into mold when they land on a damp surface. However, before they settle, people can inhale spores, which might lead to respiratory ailments.

5. The Best Way to Detect Mold: An Air Quality Test

Because mold is often unseen until it begins wreaking havoc, Dallas Mold Consultants use an air quality test for mold analysis in home and business environments. The process samples the concentration of mold spores in the air to identify hidden mold growth. The air quality test helps find where mold is growing and, following mold removal, whether it’s been eliminated.

Dallas Mold Consultants provides results of mold testing within 48 hours. If they find a problem, they provide a referral to a mold remediation company. Following removal, Dallas Mold Consultants conducts a final air quality test to certify that the property is mold-free.

For a rapid mold assessment, contact Dallas Mold Consultants, located at 10440 N. Central Expressway, Suite 800, Dallas, TX, 75231 by phone at 972-945-6653 or email at office@dallasmoldconsultants.com.

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source https://dallasmoldconsultants.com/press-releases/five-things-to-know-about-mold-and-air-quality-tests-in-dallas/

Everything You Need to Know About Post-Remediation Mold Testing

The Dangers of Skipping Over Post-Remediation Mold Testing 

As an opportunistic fungus, mold can grow almost anywhere, provided it has warmth and moisture. According to the Mayo Clinic, mold in the home can exacerbate allergies and asthma, and some species can cause mold toxicity. 

It’s challenging to detect and combat mold growth, which is why remediation is so costly and time-consuming, and why post-remediation testing is so important. Even after initial cleanup, some companies may miss spores in the air ducts, opening the door to new infestations.

Below, Dallas Mold Consultants explains how a post-remediation mold inspection will identify areas that still need work or confirm successful remediation.

What is the Post-Remediation Mold Testing Process?

After mold cleanup, you want to be sure that all traces of the harmful fungus were removed. Spores can stay alive in walls, floors, vents, and other dark places. 

Post-remediation testing ensures that all mold has been removed from your property. During the process, inspectors will conduct these three steps:

• Visual observation
• Moisture measurements
• Air sampling

Visual Observations

Mold is no match for a well-trained environmental hygienist. Even if you don’t notice any signs of growth, these experts can detect small mold colonies through a detailed visual examination. 

During this step, the professional mold testing company will:

• Find areas of water damage: Waterlogged walls will be soft to the touch, and surfaces may have stains.

• Detect visual evidence of mold growth: Colonies often appear as dark spots but might be in hard to reach areas.

• Evaluate the room for any damp odors that may indicate insufficient mold remediation: Some mold cleanup companies will remove apparent mold colonies but miss sections that allow the fungus to re-emerge.

The lack of visual evidence of mold is a good sign during the post-remediation assessment, but it’s not enough for the building to get a pass. 

Moisture Measurements

Excess moisture is a requirement for fungal growth, which is why it is so common after flood damage. 

During the mold test, an industrial hygienist will use infrared technology and moisture meters to find high humidity areas. Typically, high moisture indicates a leak or standing water. If you can track the source of the water, you can identify the cause of the mold and eliminate existing colonies.

Air Samples

While mold has a distinct smell, it can go unnoticed to the untrained nose. This is especially dangerous since mold spores are known to irritate the eyes and lungs and cause respiratory problems and allergies.

After mold remediation, an air quality test will help identify remaining areas with excess spore counts. The air quality specialist will take samples from various spots in the building to identify even the smallest trace of mold. 

In many cases, most areas will pass an air sample test, but one or two rooms may fail. The hygienist will also take outdoor air samples to ensure that the indoor air test results reflect mold growth in the home and not ambient spore counts.

The Final Mold Remediation Report

It’s vital to use the same professional testing services for the initial and post-remediation tests. Mold testing companies use various methods to test for mold, and switching methods may produce different results.

Once the company completes the mold assessment, they will provide you with a clear report detailing the post-remediation testing results. Ideally, the property should be mold-free, but if it isn’t, the company will outline the plans for additional mold remediation.

About Dallas Mold Consultants

Dallas Mold Consultants provides accurate mold testing services, and the team is always available to offer advice. Their employees have seen the devastating consequences of mold and stand ready to help with immediate remediation. 

For more information about mold testing and remediation, contact Dallas Mold Consultants today.

Contact information

10440 N Central Expressway,

Suite 800 Dallas, TX 75231

(972) 945-MOLD (6653)

office@dallasmoldconsultants.com

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source https://dallasmoldconsultants.com/press-releases/everything-you-need-to-know-about-post-remediation-mold-testing/

Steps of Professional Mold Testing

 

What Are the Steps of Receiving Professional Mold Testing?

Mold spores are everywhere, even inside your home. These microscopic fungal particles are almost impossible to eliminate from a house, but they are usually harmless. If they land on a dark, moist surface, however, they will grow and multiply. These spots will eventually produce foul, mildew-like odors, and may aggravate your respiratory system. 

Depending on the severity of the mold, you might need an industrial hygienist or environmental hygienist to assist. For most mold occurrences at home, mold testing and inspections by Dallas Mold Consultants will successfully identify the presence of problematic fungus and help you arrange for removal. 

When to Schedule a Mold Inspection

Seeing mold along your walls, floors, and ceiling is an indication of mold growing inside your house. At this point, it is likely spreading spores, so you should schedule a mold inspection. 

Unfortunately, mold can also grow in areas that you cannot see, such as behind walls or inside air ducts. When this happens, you might notice a musty smell or walls that are soft to the touch. 

Aside from these incidents, here are other times to schedule a mold inspection.

• Water Damage: Because mold requires moisture to grow and thrive, water leaks from floods, plumbing issues, or roof damage are the most common causes of fungal growths. If your home sustains any water damage, mold inspection is necessary.
• Buying a New Home: During your initial walkthrough of a new residence, you need to know if any underlying problems could lead to severe issues. Hiring a mold testing and inspection company will tell you if mold is growing in the home.
• After Mold Remediation: Once a home has received mold testing and remediation – a process to rid the property of mold and bring spores to reasonable levels – you will need additional mold testing to ensure the remediation’s efficiency.

Importance of Mold Testing

Once an inspection determines the presence of mold, mold testing will identify the fungal species growing in the house and how much is present. 

Mold spores fall under one of three categories: 

• Allergenic spores produce mold that can irritate the respiratory system, causing sneezing, coughing, or trigger asthma.
• Hyper-allergenic spores are harmless to humans and animals.
• Toxic mold spores produce severe allergy symptoms, asthma attacks, headaches, and other serious adverse health effects.

Types of Mold Testing

Because mold growth is not always visible, inspectors will test for mold by collecting samples. Mold assessment technicians will conduct either an air or surface sample to check for mold. 

• Air Quality Test: Because spores are airborne, mold testing professionals may use a spore trap with a sticky surface to trap ambient air and check for the presence of spores.
• Surface Test: Depending on the size of the potentially affected area, specialists may remove an entire item, rub it with a cotton swab, or press clear tape on its surface to collect spore samples.

Once the specialists choose their sample, they send it to a mold testing lab for analysis. Laboratory technicians will then examine the selection under a microscope or use it to grow mold in a petri dish. 

Contact Dallas Mold Consultants

Dallas Mold Consultants is one of the leading advanced mold testing companies serving residents throughout Dallas, Texas. They provide thorough mold testing at home, collect swab samples, and send their findings to an independent laboratory for prompt results, usually within one to two days. Depending on the test results, they will develop a protocol for the remediation process. Their experienced technicians will also provide referrals for mold remediation services. 

Connect with the mold testing experts at Dallas Mold Consultants by calling (972) 945-MOLD (6653) today.

Contact Information:

10440 N Central Expressway

Suite 800 

Dallas, TX 75231

office@dallasmoldconsultants.com

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source https://dallasmoldconsultants.com/press-releases/steps-of-professional-mold-testing/

Steps of Professional Mold Testing

 

What Are the Steps of Receiving Professional Mold Testing?

Mold spores are everywhere, even inside your home. These microscopic fungal particles are almost impossible to eliminate from a house, but they are usually harmless. If they land on a dark, moist surface, however, they will grow and multiply. These spots will eventually produce foul, mildew-like odors, and may aggravate your respiratory system. 

Depending on the severity of the mold, you might need an industrial hygienist or environmental hygienist to assist. For most mold occurrences at home, mold testing and inspections by Dallas Mold Consultants will successfully identify the presence of problematic fungus and help you arrange for removal. 

When to Schedule a Mold Inspection

Seeing mold along your walls, floors, and ceiling is an indication of mold growing inside your house. At this point, it is likely spreading spores, so you should schedule a mold inspection. 

Unfortunately, mold can also grow in areas that you cannot see, such as behind walls or inside air ducts. When this happens, you might notice a musty smell or walls that are soft to the touch. 

Aside from these incidents, here are other times to schedule a mold inspection.

• Water Damage: Because mold requires moisture to grow and thrive, water leaks from floods, plumbing issues, or roof damage are the most common causes of fungal growths. If your home sustains any water damage, mold inspection is necessary.
• Buying a New Home: During your initial walkthrough of a new residence, you need to know if any underlying problems could lead to severe issues. Hiring a mold testing and inspection company will tell you if mold is growing in the home.
• After Mold Remediation: Once a home has received mold testing and remediation – a process to rid the property of mold and bring spores to reasonable levels – you will need additional mold testing to ensure the remediation's efficiency.

Importance of Mold Testing

Once an inspection determines the presence of mold, mold testing will identify the fungal species growing in the house and how much is present. 

Mold spores fall under one of three categories: 

• Allergenic spores produce mold that can irritate the respiratory system, causing sneezing, coughing, or trigger asthma.
• Hyper-allergenic spores are harmless to humans and animals.
• Toxic mold spores produce severe allergy symptoms, asthma attacks, headaches, and other serious adverse health effects.

Types of Mold Testing

Because mold growth is not always visible, inspectors will test for mold by collecting samples. Mold assessment technicians will conduct either an air or surface sample to check for mold. 

• Air Quality Test: Because spores are airborne, mold testing professionals may use a spore trap with a sticky surface to trap ambient air and check for the presence of spores.
• Surface Test: Depending on the size of the potentially affected area, specialists may remove an entire item, rub it with a cotton swab, or press clear tape on its surface to collect spore samples.

Once the specialists choose their sample, they send it to a mold testing lab for analysis. Laboratory technicians will then examine the selection under a microscope or use it to grow mold in a petri dish. 

Contact Dallas Mold Consultants

Dallas Mold Consultants is one of the leading advanced mold testing companies serving residents throughout Dallas, Texas. They provide thorough mold testing at home, collect swab samples, and send their findings to an independent laboratory for prompt results, usually within one to two days. Depending on the test results, they will develop a protocol for the remediation process. Their experienced technicians will also provide referrals for mold remediation services. 

Connect with the mold testing experts at Dallas Mold Consultants by calling (972) 945-MOLD (6653) today.

Contact Information:

10440 N Central Expressway

Suite 800 

Dallas, TX 75231

office@dallasmoldconsultants.com

Dallas Company Highlights the Signs of a Possible Mold Infestation

Dallas Mold Consultants, a mold consulting company, provides advanced mold testing to determine if mold issues are present in a home or building. The team works to identify the extent of any mold damage or infestation and to offer advice about the most appropriate solution to restore a property to a safe, healthy condition. Being a third-party testing firm, Dallas Mold Consultants does not offer mold remediation services. They provide independent, unbiased testing procedures and post-remediation testing to ensure that any remediation work was performed properly and thoroughly for the Dallas area home or business.

The following nine signs can help property owners know if they need to have a professional third-party moisture and mold test performed at their home or business.

Mold is observed growing inside the home or building.

While mold grows everywhere in the environment, it should not be thriving inside occupied buildings. Dallas Mold Consultants helps property owners determine if what looks like mold is mold. They also identify the type or types of mold in the home or building and provide strategies on how to safely remove the mold.

Where mold issues create a health concern, the test reports are useful for health care professionals to use diagnostically. The detailed reports may provide repair recommendations should the services of a mold remediation contractor be needed.

A musty or moldy odor is detected and is stronger when the windows and doors are closed.

Since mold spores are microscopic, mold odor is often smelled before the mold is seen. Performing a mold inspection at the first smell of mold may help prevent damage to the building and save on repairs.

A homeowner is buying or moving into a new or existing home or building.

When buying or moving into a property, determine if mold and moisture problems exist before finalizing the deal. Do not sign escrow papers or a lease until a mold consultant inspects the structure to ensure mold and moisture issues do not exist.

A water leak has occurred recently in the home, building, or apartment.

Mold needs a damp, moist environment in which to grow, and a water leak over the period of a few days is adequate for mold to start growing. Quickly repairing the water leak and drying the affected areas is crucial to preventing mold infestation. A mold consultant can assess the extent of the damage with moisture mapping technology. As a third-party inspector, he or she can document and validate the performance of the water damage restoration company.

Asthma or allergies intensify when inside the home or building.

Mold, a common indoor allergen, can stimulate allergies or asthma. If allergies or asthma intensifies inside the home, office, or apartment, mold may be the culprit even though it may not be visible or detected by the nose. In addition to mold testing, mold consultants may perform allergen testing for dander, dust mites, rats, mice, and cockroaches.

Condensation is observed on the inside of windows, and the building feels damp.

Window condensation encourages mold growth. A mold inspection can discover the source of the indoor condensation and provide a course of action to reduce interior moisture levels.

If the environment inside the building feels damp or moist, a mold consultant can validate the initial perception, locate any moisture problems, and recommend paths to prevent mold growth.

Mold is discovered on furniture or in closets.

The backs of furniture pushed up against the wall is a favorite hiding place for mold. Closets are colder and have limited ventilation, making them another prime place for mold growth.

Water puddles up against the home or building.

Pooling water from rain or from sprinklers next to the exterior of the home or business can seep through the outer wall, penetrate the wall cavity, and eventually damage the inside walls. Seepage and wicking are slow processes, but the constant presence of water means the processes are always in progress.

Indoor pets have been ill.

Animals can be a barometer of indoor air quality. Some animals can have a negative response to indoor mold sooner and more intensely than humans.

Any of these situations may indicate the need to have a mold inspection or testing. Mold can cause serious physical illness and reduce the quality of life. For more information about mold issues, visit the Dallas Mold Consultants website at dallasmoldconsultants.com. Contact the office by phone at (972) 945-6653.

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source https://dallasmoldconsultants.com/press-releases/dallas-company-highlights-the-signs-of-a-possible-mold-infestation/