Control and Eliminate Mold

Mold in nature is good as it helps break down organic materials. Mold in your home is not good as it produces allergens and irritants.  Mold can be found in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, the underside of carpets and pads, front and back side of drywall, wallpaper or paneling, inside the heating and A/C system and ductwork, attics, under roof eaves and even clinging to trees around South Florida homes.

There is no question that mold can be a serious problem for homeowners and their homes.  In most situations, however, mold problems are not catastrophic.  Knowing what you are up against is the key.  SouthState Property Inspections can provide you with an understanding of the conditions in your home and make specific recommendations for testing and preventive maintenance.  If the situation warrants, we can conduct mold sampling and analysis to tell you exactly what types of mold are present and what you can do to remediate the situation. 

What is Mold? Molds are fungi. Molds grow throughout the natural and built environment. Tiny particles of mold are present in indoor and outdoor air. In nature, molds help break down dead materials and can be found growing on soil, foods, plant matter, and other items. Molds produce microscopic cells called "spores" which are very tiny and spread easily through the air. Live spores act like seeds, forming new mold growths (colonies) when they find the right conditions.

What does mold need to grow?

Mold only needs a few simple things to grow and multiply:

- Moisture
- Nutrients
- Suitable place to grow

Of these, controlling excess moisture is the key to preventing and stopping indoor mold growth.

Should I be concerned about mold in my home? Mold should not be permitted to grow and multiply indoors. When this happens, health problems can occur and building materials, goods and furnishings may be damaged.

Can mold make me and my family sick?
Mold can affect the health of people who are exposed to it. People are mainly exposed to mold by breathing spores or other tiny fragments. People can also be exposed through skin contact with mold contaminants (for example, by touching moldy surfaces) and by swallowing it.
The type and severity of health effects that mold may produce are usually difficult to predict. The risks can vary greatly from one location to another, over time, and from person to person.

What symptoms might I see?
The most common health problems caused by indoor mold are allergy symptoms. Although other and more serious problems can occur, people exposed to mold commonly report problems such as:

- Nasal and sinus congestion
- Cough
- Wheeze/breathing difficulties
- Sore throat
- Skin and eye irritation
- Upper respiratory infections (including sinus)

Should I test for mold?
We do not recommend testing for mold yourself. Instead, you should simply assume there is a problem whenever you see mold or smell mold odors. Testing should never take the place of visual inspection and it should never use up resources that are needed to correct moisture problems and remove all visible growth.

Sometimes, mold growth is hidden and difficult to locate. In such cases, a combination of air (outdoor and indoor air samples) and bulk (material) samples may help determine the extent of contamination and where cleaning is needed.

Our Indoor Air Quality Assessment (IAQ) and Testing inspection is performed to determine the presence and concentration of mold spores within the residence living space, locate the cause for the mold contamination and outline remediation protocols for removal. The investigation methods include a visual inspection and information gathering of the complaint area. Bulk/surface and air sampling are used to identify common mold spores, bioaerosols, allergens, pet dander, dust mites, pollen, fibers, and other potential irritants.

A SouthState Mold Screening report involves a visual interior and exterior inspection, air and swab samples and photos. Visual findings, laboratory analysis and recommendations for trades to perform repairs or a list of qualified remediators to complete the removal and replacement of water damage, mold contaminated building materials will be provided.

Contact SouthState Propery Inspections today to schedule your home inspection by calling us at 954-993-1366. Alternatively, you're free to book your inspection online by clicking here!

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