Many homeowners do not understand that mold can be such a serious problem when it is located in their homes. There are many types of mold and all of them need moisture to grow. Mold produces allergens which can cause people to have allergic reactions or experience irritation that can be very annoying or even life threatening. Mold can cause sneezing, itchy eyes, or skin rashes. It can be especially bothersome to people who have asthma.
There are two different mold tests homeowners can use to find out if they have a mold problem. The first mold test is an air test. This type of test involves stirring up the air in a room and then opening a test film and leaving it there for about an hour. Next, the activating liquid in between films is squeezed. About three days later, the person conducting the test starts to count the amount of mold that forms. It is a good idea to do this test in several rooms at the same time. The room that has the largest amount of mold is usually the source of the home’s mold problem.
The second type of mold test is the surface test. This can be done when a source for mold is suspected. A swab is wiped on the surface, activating liquid between films is pressed closed, and days later mold colonies are counted. This test is good to do if there has been a water leak or flood in an area in a home or if there has been a discoloration of the surface that is noticeable.
There are several signs that should spur homeowners to purchase a mold test. They include: seeing cracked or peeling paint, smelling a foul odor, seeing wall or surface discoloration, if the area stays damp, or having increased allergy symptoms. It is best for the homeowner not to wait until mold can be seen visibly before conducting a test. It is best to find out that there is an issue as soon as possible so that it can be fixed before the inhabitants of the home end up with health problems.Please focus on the two different types of home mold tests – air & surface.