If you think you have mold you should call us for a free inspection but if you want to check for yourself or you don’t live in the Nashville area, we’ve pulled together a few steps that can help you quickly identify if you have mold, and how severe your mold problem may be.
Mold problems almost always start with a water intrusion issue. If you’ve had an indoor water issue (think burst pipe, a drainage issue) and you didn’t dry out the space in <48 hours, chances are there is mold growing.
According to a recent report from the Federal Facilities Council, a shocking 43% of buildings in the U.S. have current water damage, and 85% have past water damage.`
Even minor moisture issues can cause issues including
Gutter not draining correctly
Crawl space pooling
Foundation crack/leak
Roof leaks
HVAC leaks
Appliance leaks
Under sink leaks
Water heater leak
Consistent condensation on inside of windows
Burst pipes
Sewer backup or overflow
Tub or shower overflow
Leaky skylights
...you get the idea
If you find a space and want to check to see if an area is still damp, you can use an indoor humidity tester.
Here is a great inexpensive testor you can use.
As a rule of thumb, you’ll want your spaces and drywall to be below 50% humidity. If it’s higher, you probably have an active water issue.
Oftentimes, homes with elevated indoor mold levels show signs in a few common moldy spots. Here are the ones that we see most consistently:
Even minor moisture issues can cause issues including
Northern-facing window frames: These windows tend to get less sunlight, staying cooler and damper, which encourages mold growth, especially if there’s condensation.
Inside of toilet tank covers: The enclosed, moist environment inside toilet tanks can be a breeding ground for mold, particularly if the water inside sits for long periods.
Behind headboards of beds: Headboards, especially those placed against external walls, can trap moisture and dust, leading to mold growth that you might not see right away.
Around or in HVAC vents: Your HVAC system can circulate moisture and dust, which can accumulate in the vents, creating a perfect environment for mold spores to thrive.
Above stove hoods: Cooking releases steam and moisture. If your stove vent isn’t working properly or is trapping moisture, mold may begin to grow in or around it.
Jacuzzi tubs: these are breeding grounds for mold and some tests have shown that over 80% of them have fecal matter bacteria growing in them which is just gross
Around the edge of your washing machine seal: The rubber seal on front-loading washers is constantly exposed to moisture and soap residue, which can lead to mold, especially if the door is closed between uses.
Anywhere floodwater has come into contact with the house: Floodwater often carries mold spores. Even after the water has receded, moisture trapped in walls, floors, or furniture can promote mold growth.
In the crawlspace: Crawlspaces are often damp due to poor ventilation, making them ideal spots for mold to develop.
Kitchen sinks and garbage disposals: full of bacteria and because it’s always damp oftentimes mold
In the attic: Mold can grow on the underside of roof decking, especially if your attic is poorly ventilated or if there are roof leaks. Look along the peaks and rafters for signs of mold.
Along the peak of the roof: Look at the topmost corner of the ceiling in your home. This is where warm, moist air rises and can get trapped. Poor insulation or ventilation here can create moisture buildup, leading to mold growth.
If you see visible signs of mold or moisture, or if you notice warping or water damage anywhere around your home, you should get a mold inspection. We can perform the inspection for you, or you can go with someone else you know and trust. The important thing is to get it checked out asap. A professional inspection will help determine the extent of the issue and will recommend any follow up mold testing.
You can view more detail on our inspection process here.
There are several types of mold testing available, and costs can vary widely (we’ve seen bills go as high as $10,000!). Generally, we recommend a simple non-viable air test which we can perform during our inspection or we can recommend independent testing. A simple mold test should never cost you more than $500.
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