Any residential or commercial building can be quickly infested with mould after the introduction of moisture to the building walls, ceilings, or other surfaces due to plumbing leaks, flooded basements, or high humidity levels. Mould multiplies fast and can produce irritants that can cause respiratory-related problems to a building's occupants. Most people are reluctant about spending money on mould assessment procedures. Read on to find out whether undertaking the assessment is suitable for your home or business or it's a money-wasting procedure.
When should you have a mould inspection?
Mould inspection should be carried out routinely before property purchase as part of the property inspection process. Unless the seller discloses plumbing or other problems that may have resulted in mould growth, it is essential to be sure before buying a property. The inspection is also critical if you suspect that a building may have a mould infestation due to a recent plumbing leak. If you experience allergic reactions such as itchy eyes, runny nose, and sneezing only when inside the building, it could be a reaction to mould.
If you can see mould in your building, it is pointless and a waste of money to carry out an inspection. Instead, you should have the experts remove the mould and fix the cause instead of having the building inspected. Note that once the mould has been identified, its color, type and species do not affect the removal process; therefore, testing is not necessary.
Which areas should be inspected for mould?
Mould inspection should be carried out by a trained professional with experience in the mould inspection procedure. The procedure of inspection aims to reveal the past and current mould growth. Past mould growth is usually an indication of a recurring problem in the plumbing systems of the building; hence, causing frequent leaks. The mould inspection procedure should involve inspection of all the building's surfaces including inside walls, ceilings, attics and roof spaces, and crawl spaces.
What does mould remediation entail?
Mould is usually an indicator of structural or plumbing problems which can also lead to costly repairs if they are not fixed in time. Before remediation can begin, it is paramount to address the source of the moisture. If not, the mould problem will recur and end up costing you more over time.
Once the building has been tested and mould spores detected in the samples, the process of remediation can commence. It involves the use of a microbial chemical to clean and remove the mould and mould stains. After the surfaces are free of mould, a sealer is used to control odor from the mould and treat the areas to make them more resistant to mould.
It is essential to have your building inspected for mould growth if you have any suspicions or unusual allergic reactions. The procedure is inexpensive but can save you a lot of money that would otherwise be used in repairing water damaged structures and plumbing fixtures. Contact local environmental consultants, like those at Geotech Testing Pty Ltd, for more information.
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