Where is there mold in your house? The experts at Alpha Environmental will thoroughly inspect all areas of your home or building, including your attic, basement and crawl space. As a part of the inspection, we will also take into account moisture levels, which can indicate where mold may be a problem and need to be treated, even if it isn’t visible.
If you see or suspect mold growth inside your home, the first step in remedying the problem is scheduling an inspection. Our certified mold inspections can confirm whether mold is present, assess the size of the problem and diagnose the cause of the mold growth to help you prevent it from coming back after it’s removed.
What Is Involved in a Mold Assessment?
Mold is common in homes regardless of location, but it is especially prevalent in the Portland area thanks to our wet and humid climate. Mold grows easily on paper products, ceiling tiles and wood, but it can also grow on paint, dust, insulation, wallpaper and carpet, among other materials. This means that a proper mold assessment needs to be thorough to ensure any potential problem areas are found and remedied.
When it comes to inspections for mold, it’s important to work with a professional team that understands how buildings work – including where they leak – and what conditions create an ideal environment for mold to grow. In our more than 20 years of service to the Portland area, Alpha Environmental has become well-versed in where mold likes to hide and where moisture commonly collects.
Even if you can see mold and already know that it is present, inspections are still recommended to ensure the problem hasn’t spread to other areas of your home. Mold assessments can also help find the root of the problem, which will need to be identified and fixed to prevent recurring mold growth.
Our Mold Inspection Process
Once you’ve scheduled your certified mold inspection, one of our expert inspectors will come to your home to tour the premises. Here’s what you can expect during our visit:
- Consultation: Before performing a visual inspection, we’ll talk with you about any areas where you’ve noticed mold growth or moisture. We’ll also ask about any past water damage to your home, such as flooding, leaks or broken pipes.
- Visual inspection: We’ll search your home from top to bottom for signs of mold, including hard-to-reach areas such as attics, crawl spaces and HVAC systems. Because mold grows best in damp areas, we’ll pay special attention to any potential leaks around your roof, windows and pipes, looking for signs of water intrusion. We’ll also thoroughly inspect your bathrooms, kitchen, laundry room and other areas where moisture may be created for any ventilation problems.
- Moisture survey: Our inspectors may use a specialized moisture meter to help us determine whether an area is wet or if moisture may be trapped in inaccessible areas, such as between walls or in your insulation. Aside from mold growth, a mold issue can cause structural damage to your home if it’s not detected and fixed.
Once we’re confident that we’ve analyzed every inch of your home, we’ll complete our mold assessment by discussing the findings with you and answering any questions you have.
What Are Next Steps in the Mold Inspection Process?
Mold Testing
If our assessment finds that mold may be present in your home or business, the next step is mold testing. While an inspection can help to identify whether mold presence is possible, mold testing can determine the specific type(s) of mold that are growing inside your home (such as aspergillus, cladosporium and stachybotrys chartarum, or black mold), and the potential dangers they may pose. A professional mold test can also give us an estimate of how many mold spores are in the air, providing insight into the size of the problem.
Mold Remediation
Regardless of the type, all mold should be removed as soon as possible to prevent further spread or damage to your home. Having a firm grasp of the situation will allow us to develop the remediation plan that best suits your home and environment.
Mold testing should also be repeated after mold remediation to make sure the mold was successfully removed.
Schedule a Certified Mold Inspection
Whether you’ve found mold in your home or you’re looking for peace of mind during a home purchase, our certified inspections for mold can bring you the answers you need and help you avoid costly damage to your health or home down the road. Contact us today to schedule your mold assessment.
