EPA Recommends Professional Mold Testing in Northern Virginia
Mold and its precursor, mildew, are fungi that grow on a wide range of surfaces as long as moisture is present. A little patch in the shower, or maybe along a window frame, not a big deal. But, when mold spores explode throughout your home and mold makes its silent assault, it can lead to allergy-like symptoms, rashes, and more. Commonly found in bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and attics, once you see mold with the naked eye, it is time to contact a professional environmental services company for mold testing in Northern Virginia.
Ironically, people often ask why they need mold testing for their home or business, when they already know they have it. Simply put, mold testing in Northern Virginia is the only way to gather the scientific evidence necessary to positively identify what type of molds are present, the extent of the outbreak, and the appropriate course of remediation. In some instances, it may mean the difference between hundreds or thousands of dollars of mold remediation expenses.
When mold growth is limited to an area under 10 feet square, you can easily clean and remove the mold yourself. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends professional mold testing and mold removal by certified mold professionals when larger areas are affected.
Some other suggestions include:
- Installing an adequate bathroom fan is instrumental in lowering your indoor moisture level.
- According to the EPA, the presence of mold requires more frequent cleaning.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing protective gloves and eyewear while cleaning mold.
- The CDC says a bleach solution of 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water can be used to safely clean and kill mildew.
- Any saturated or wet materials should, after 48 hours, be thrown away. Additionally, if mold cannot be removed after cleaning, the material has to be removed and replaced.
- Do not attempt to remove large mold colonies without proper certification. Depending on the level of contamination, mold removal specialists are required to wear respirators for extended periods in mold contaminated areas.
Mold testing is where your healthy home or workplace really begins. Under the right conditions mold growth expands rapidly, damaging your health, home, and possessions in the process. Protect what’s most important to you. Schedule mold testing in Northern Virginia today.
