Atlanta Mold Inspections & Testing
Why is mold growing in my home?
Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature
by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided.
Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air.
Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none
of them will grow without water or moisture.
Can mold cause health problems?
Molds
are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential
to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens, irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances.
Allergic
reactions to mold are common and include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash.
Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold.
How can
I determine if mold is in my home?
Mold spores will not grow without water or moisture.
Identifying areas of moisture are key to preventing mold growth inside of your home. Our state-of-the-art infrared thermal
imaging technology provides a visual footprint of moisture within the walls and ceiling of your home by detecting the wet
areas. Many times these areas go unseen because they are invisible to the naked eye. The combination of this technology
with the use of moisture meters, visual inspection and mold testing equipment provide the lastest advancements in testing
procedures.
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Dark areas show water leak at skylight.
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Water leak not visible without infrared.
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Water leak found during infrared scan.
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Water leak invisible to the naked eye.
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Plumbing leak noted bathroom during scan.
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Moisture meter used to confirm leak.
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What
to do if you suspect that your home has mold?
Get a Professional Mold Assessment of
your house. By surveying moisture levels of walls, ceilings and floors, determining humidity levels inside the home, locating
visible mold growth, and testing the air for the quantity and variety of mold spores. Determining the variety of mold is important
because some types of mold are indicators of water damage and are possible health problems.
How is the air tested?
Indoor
Air Sampling
It is primarily these samples that determine airborne mold spore counts. Proximate
outdoor air is also tested (for the control sample) For reliable results, the equipment used includes a controlled volume
air pump, which draws air through Z5 spore trap cassettes.
Interior Wall Air Samples
Infrared
thermal imaging and moisture meter readings of an elevated moisture content of the wall material make it a candidate for this
type of testing; especially when it is drywall (the paper covering is vulnerable to consumption from mold growth). Samples
are collected using the WallChek® system, providing an adapter for Z5 spore trap cassette, and utilizing small ¼
inch tubing, which is inserted into the wall. Air sampling pumps draw air from the wall cavity to obtain the mold spore count
within the wall cavity.

How
Is Visible Mold Identified?
Surface Sampling also know as contact
sampling is typically perform with BioTape Slides and/or Swab Sampling of the visible areas of suspect microbial growth identified
during the mold assessment.
After the samples have been performed they are shipped FedEx overnight to
an accredited microbiology laboratory for microscopic examination and analysis. Typical turnaround is two business days.
Contact us today to have your home
tested for Mold and Infrared Thermal Imaging Scan for moisture
404-663-5955
For more information, read the EPA's A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home.
The above information is provided as a public service by the Environmental Protection
Agency for educational purposes.