One of the most pressing concerns of a homeowner (or a potential homeowner) is the growth of indoor mold. Mold spores may float in the environment out of doors but they have no place within the confines of the house or building. Mold growing on ceiling, walls and roofs is unacceptable. However, mold growth is often invisible as these parasites thrive in damp, hard-to-access places. Often, owners are quite unaware of mold infestation and become aware of it only when health problems indicate a possible infestation.

This is why it is necessary to undertake a mold testing procedure from time to time. Here are some more reasons to opt for mold testing:

• Mold is a form of microscopic, air-borne fungus. There are thousands of different kinds of mold spores in the environment. A few of them are beneficial while many of them are highly toxic and can make humans sick. Mold could trigger asthma attacks, allergies or other health problems like flu and cold. Regular mold testing is one of the best ways of ensuring freedom from health problems associated with inhaling mold spores.

• Many people believe they can detect mold by looking for patches of mold growth. However, mold spores are microscopic and often present in hard-to-access places. It is difficult to detect the presence of mold until it reaches high levels of infestation. Often, mold testing is the easiest, most fool-proof and earliest method of detecting the presence of mold.

• Typically, the environment inside the house and outside it contains some amount of mold spores. Therefore, it is common to find some levels of mold spores in most samples. However, it is necessary to make the distinction between normal amounts versus high levels of mold within the house. Only expert testing can distinguish between normal and problem levels of mold growth within the building.

Mold testing is a simple, non-invasive procedure that involves the collection of samples for laboratory analysis. Most contractors make use of sniffers to check for airborne spores. It is also possible to buy readymade kits for mold testing. However, these kits may not offer accurate results. Therefore, homeowners must seek professional services.

Mold testing is only the first step towards solving the mold problem. The test only helps assess the levels of mold spores within the environment and detect if these levels are above normal levels. Testing cannot identify where the main colony of mold is situated. Mold inspection can assist in locating the exact area of mold infestation. Once the source and place of infestation is identified, it is necessary to get rid of the colony of mold. Measures including reconstruction must be taken to arrest mold growth, eradicate existing colonies and prevent formation of mold colonies in the future.