Mold infestations can be a persistent and concerning issue for homeowners in Topeka, KS. The city’s humid climate and occasional water damage from storms can create ideal conditions for mold growth inside residential & commercial properties. Left unattended, mold can cause health problems and structural damage and reduce indoor air quality. To tackle this problem effectively, residents in Topeka can turn to professional mold testing & inspection services. These specialized services offer comprehensive mold assessments to identify mold sources, determine the extent of the problem, and provide actionable solutions to eradicate mold and prevent its recurrence.
At Lamunyon Mold, we offer mold testing in Topeka, KS, for all residents, a comprehensive mold inspection solution with fast and accurate mold assessments.
Signs That You Need A Mold Testing & Inspection
When you begin suspecting that your home or commercial building might be hosting mold, you may wonder when would be the right time for mold testing. It can be an obvious decision when you have more definite or likely proof of mold in your walls. However, you may feel something amiss, even when everything looks okay.
At that point, it can be challenging to decide what to do. Mold removal is a committed process, but choosing to skip a mold inspection & mold assessment could adversely affect your home and health.
We recommend scheduling a mold test if any of the following situations apply to you:
1. When You Smell Unusual Odor In Your Home
When you catch the scent of something that smells a little murky with no apparent cause, that could be a sign of mold. A likely sign that mold has invaded your home is the odor. Mold typically grows while you eat the building materials inside your walls before you can see them. It can linger on your walls for weeks, months, or even years before you finally notice the first visual sign. By determining the actual species of mold with a mold test, we can perhaps better understand the source and history of mold contamination.
2. In The Event Of Water Damage & Plumbing Leaks
If you see water dripping from anywhere, it is not supposed to; then there is a chance that mold starts to grow where you have wet building materials. Flooded rooms and basements are also ideal conditions for mold growth. Preventing mold should be a priority for any homeowner experiencing water damage.
3. If You Get Sick Unexpectedly
In some cases, the presence of mold can trigger atypical symptoms in those with sensitive immune systems or in those who have lived with mold for an extended period. These symptoms have been known to range from coughing, sneezing, and headaches to severe asthma attacks. When health issues arise without an apparent cause, a mold inspection can inform a medical professional about what to do next.
4. During Real Estate Transactions
Getting a mold test done before the buying and selling of a house could protect both the buyer and the seller in this situation. It is crucial to have peace of mind when buying a new family home in the long run. Skipping the mold test during the real estate transaction could make for a costly mistake further down the road.
5. When Concerned About Indoor Air Quality
In certain situations, such as living with medical concerns or in a densely populated city, you may want to test the air quality of your building. If you have reason to suspect that the air quality may be poor, then the culprit might be mold growth.
Our Professional Mold Testing & Inspection Process In Topeka
Simply put, mold testing & inspection determines what mold exists in your home and the severity of the problem. During our mold assessment process, we go through a series of steps to pinpoint the location of the mold, its source, and how to prevent future mold outbreaks.
When you hire our mold specialists in Topeka, KS, we go through the following procedures:
1. We Begin With A Visual Inspection
Our professionals know the signs of mold growth inside and out, and we are quick to identify the conditions that mold needs to grow. We always do this step first as it brings everyone up to speed. It helps us understand the history of moisture buildup and where mold might have spread throughout the building.
2. We Pinpoint The Location And Source Of The Mold With Thermal Imaging & Mold Testing
By examining which parts of your home are more damp than they should be, we can determine where moisture has collected the most. This step helps us narrow down the source as mold grows when exposed to water. The ideal conditions for mold to grow often involve a lot of moisture exposure. Using mold sampling, we can locate areas of the building with a higher mold spore count and thus zero in on suspect areas. By determining the actual species of mold, we can perhaps better understand the source and history of mold contamination.
3. We Find The Source Of Excessive Moisture
When moisture gathers in a usually dry part of your home, it signifies that the structure of your home may have been compromised. This moisture buildup could be as simple as an uninsulated window or as severe as foundation damage.
4. We Bring Everything Together In Our Evaluation
We give you a complete overview of the mold problem and our scope of work to solve it. A scope of work is our plan of action for tackling your mold problem. We design a specific mold remediation plan for you, including mold cleanup and preventative measures, with a scope of work for the future. What does the scope of work mean for a mold inspection? It is our plan of action for tackling your mold problem.
5. Finally, We Do A Post Assessment Analysis
Post-remediation test comes after we complete the remediation. Like with any job of this priority, you must be thorough to ensure the job was done correctly.
When Is the Right Time For A Mold Removal Assessment?
A thorough mold removal assessment that utilizes a physical inspection, digital documentation, and possibly even air quality and surface testing is sometimes the only course of action for your home. These methods are non-invasive and give a complete picture of your mold situation. But when is the right time for an assessment?
These are the signs that you are due for a proper mold assessment:
- When You Smell An Unusual Odor In Your Home – The first sign that mold is growing is that musty, pungent stench. If you can smell something unpleasant but can’t see anything wrong, then the culprit may be an unwelcome guest in your walls.
- When You Become Sick For No Apparent Reason – If you notice seasonal allergies getting worse or if you start waking up with congestion, then testing for mold sooner rather than later could save you a headache.
- When Your Home Suffers Water Damage – Because mold growth is encouraged by moisture, testing your home after your basement floods or a kitchen or laundry appliance floods the floor.
- Before And After Mold Remediation – The reasons for thorough testing before you tackle your mold problem should be clear by now. But testing afterward is also necessary. Testing after remediation ensures that the job has been thoroughly completed.
Different Kinds Of Mold Testing Available in Topeka, KS
When you hire a professional for mold inspection, there are testing options to consider in addition to the examination on how to test for mold.
- Air Sample Tests: Your mold specialist can test air samples and surface testing. Taking air samples gives us a great deal of information. When taking an air sample to test, we check to see if your home’s indoor spore count is higher than it should be. As mold is everywhere, there is an expected amount of mold spores outside and inside your home. Should that count be much higher than expected, then it suggests the presence of mold in your home, even if there are no other symptoms.
- Mold Swabs & Bio Tapes: We can also do another type of testing with mold swabs or bio-tape. This method is surface testing. Depending on the building materials, surface testing can be performed behind a wall or above a ceiling with minimally intrusive effort.
Both air and surface testing for mold is additional services offered upon request when there is a suspicion of mold but not enough information to know for sure.
Contact Lamunyon Mold For Fast & Accurate Mold Testing & Inspection In Topeka
When you suspect mold is growing in your home or want to play it safe, you should call Lamunyon for mold testing & inspection needs. We are always ready to help you fight against mold growth in your home. If you have any questions about mold, we are the ones to call.
We have been in the professional mold testing business since 1973. We also serve the greater north-central Kansas area. You can call us today if you have any questions about our dehumidification throughout Topeka.
Our phone is answered 24/7. Call us now: 785-503-3327! Our friendly, caring staff is excited to help you, and our certified mold technicians are available to assist with your emergency mold tests for your home.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Mold testing is a testing method to help determine if an unusual concentration of molds in the environment exists. Testing is also useful when trying to differentiate between dust, soot or molds when visual identification is inadequate.
Mold testing comes in many different varieties including air sampling and surface sampling. Air sampling may be useful for finding unusual air quality conditions, whereas surface sampling is more appropriate for spot identification. Contact Lamunyon Mold in Topeka, KS for any mold testing technique.
Air sampling can be accurate in the correct circumstances. Many environmental variables can affect the accuracy of these tests, however. For example, air purifiers, open windows or doors, particularly dirty environments can all give unusual results that may not be useful when determining if a mold issue exists.
Mold testing should be determined on a case-by-case basis. In many circumstances, testing is not needed when visible mold growth is found.
For the best results when air testing, all doors and windows should remain shut as often as possible 24 hours before testing. Air purifiers should be turned off at least 24 hours before sampling. HVAC system should operate as normal. Limit general cleaning, including running vacuums and dusting before testing is to be performed.
Yes! Many environmental factors including activities inside the home (cleaning, vacumming right before the test, etc) or the weather outside can influence the accuracy of testing.
It typically takes 2-3 days for a mold test to come back in Topeka, KS. This may vary based on the testing company you are working with, the testing process required and more.
Molds produce microscopic spores which can easily become air born. These spores ride air currents until they land on a surface. If the surface becomes wet and is also a source of food, the spore can grow into the visible mold we can see with our un-aided eyes. These would be live spores. Dormant spores are spores without moisture but may still be viable and able to grow into visible molds under the right conditions. Some dormant spores can be viable for over 20 years! Dead spores are typically not viable for mold growth. Unfortunately for us, our bodies cannot tell the difference between a live or dead mold spore and can cause health issues in either case.
Mold testing in Topeka,KS, is $75 per sample on average. Air sampling always requires at least two samples (one outside as a “control” and one inside). Surface sampling can be done with just one sample.
If visible mold growth is found, an inspection report with remediation and cleanup recommendations and an estimate to remediate may be provided. If testing is performed, you will receive a report from the laboratory with their findings.
