Attention, Alabama homeowners.
Before taking another breath in your home, make sure you know what’s lurking in the shadows.
The shadowy (discolored) walls are not because you chose a bad paint company, nor is that musty smell due to the wet towel you left on your bed.
It’s MOLD (there’s a high probability).
This silent intruder is a health risk and a detriment to your property’s value.
For Alabamans, there’s slightly worse news. It’s our weather. It’s generally high in humidity, with an average annual humidity of 87.5%. And our little sneaky beast (mold) here loves such weather to thrive in. Still, there’s nothing to worry about….yet.
In this blog, we’ll tell you all about mold itself and residential mold testing in Alabama.
So, let’s mold our way in to know about the signs to be aware of first, and then we’ll discuss how to tackle those with mold testing.
Signs of Mold In Your Home
Visible Mold
Visible mold is the most apparent sign that “Hey, something is hiding in your home.” But homeowners often ignore it because they don’t know what that really is…
Mold can grow on any organic or moist surface, like ceilings, walls, and floors. It might appear as green, black, brown, or white patches or spots. So, if you notice something similar, it should ring a bell in your head, and it’s time to become a responsible homeowner and handle the issue.
A heads up to push you towards addressing the issue: mold spreads quickly and causes structural damage to the properties. Therefore, if you don’t act now, it might be late.
Unpleasant Odor
Do you smell something odd? It should ring a bell for you. Musty odors are one of the most common signs of mold growth. It has a different, musty smell, and there’s no chance you’ll miss it. The smell indicates that your home is harboring mold growth. You might sense a stronger smell in basements, crawlspaces, and bathrooms. Basically, all the damp areas. If you notice an unpleasant odor, it’s about time to check if it’s mold or just your wet towel on the bed (but it doesn’t make the entire home smell musty, so…)
Health Complications
Are you or your family experiencing unexplainable health complications? When there’s nothing obvious, there’s mold – especially for people suffering from respiratory issues or allergies.
Following are some symptoms of such health issues:
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Itchy eyes
So, if you or anyone in your family is experiencing such issues, it’s important to investigate is mold the cause behind that? It’s better to take action ASAP when you notice any mold.
The Importance of Mold Testing
If you want to protect your family and home from this silent threat, then mold testing is the only option. The scope of these tests goes beyond just the appearance, odors, or visible signs. These tests take precise and accurate measures to identify and address mold growth. Eventually preventing potential health hazards and structural damage.
Scheduling residential mold testing is your step towards a healthy and stable home. It allows for early detection, timely remediation, and preventive implementation. All making sure that you’re breathing healthy air.
Types of Mold Tests
You have a variety of options here. However, remember that each serves a different purpose in assessing and identifying mold growth. So, you need to be picky about these tests, just like when shopping for Christmas.
One of the most commonly used methods is air sampling. As the name suggests, the primary factor is the “air.” Inspectors test the air to gather valuable insights into your property’s overall air quality.
Second comes the surface sampling. Again, the name says it all. This one involves collecting samples from the visible mold growth or suspected areas of contamination. It allows for the identification of specific mold species present in your home.
Now comes bulk sampling. This one involves collecting material samples, including pieces of carpet or drywall. These are then analyzed for mold presence.
The most common mold in Alabama is Chaetomium. In this case, it’s best to go for surface sampling for your Alabama home. During the process, surface sampling will involve methods like swab samples, tape lift, or bulk. All of these are effective for identifying visible mold contaminants like Chaetomium.
When to Schedule Your Mold Test?
Ideally, the best time to schedule a mold test is during midsummer for your Alabama home.
Why so?
During midsummer (mid-June till mid-August), Alabama’s southern climate experiences hot and humid summers. This creates ideal conditions for mold to grow. Mold gets its perfect, comfy, and desired weather (warm and humid) during midsummer. Later, this leads it to thrive, making it the peak time for mold growth in homes in Alabama.
Furthermore, this is not a strict rule. You can always get a mold test done whenever you experience red flags. It’s always better to be attentive towards such issues than to regret them later.
Conclusion
The worst part about mold is that it’s an uninvited guest who won’t knock to get in. It might be there even before you. So, it is better to schedule a mold test and deal with it as best you can.
Scheduling a mold test is essential to staying ahead of such nosy issues. For this, it’s important to understand the importance of mold testing and recognize the potential signs of mold issues. And, most of all, know the types of tests available.
Also, if you are worried about residential mold testing costs, trust us—it’s not more than protecting your property and family. Consider mold tests a little investment to safeguard your property’s integrity and the health of your loved ones (and, of course, yours).
Always remember to schedule mold tests from a reputable and trustworthy company to ensure that you get the best and most accurate results. For this, you can always schedule your mold tests with Timberline Inspections. With our trained and experienced experts, we make your homeownership easy! Trust us and trust the process.
