| Mold is a common problem in many homes. Although | | | | another and so-on to make a layered affect. When |
| it's mostly found in the basements of homes, it can | | | | testing for mold it is important to understand that |
| pop up almost anywhere that could have a moisture | | | | where you sample from will determine the |
| problem. Most mold is benign and just an eyesore, | | | | effectiveness of the test. |
| though some mold can be toxic and a serious health | | | | Choosing a sample location is not as arbitrary or |
| concern. While you always want to get rid of mold | | | | obvious as you might suspect. Frequently, the best |
| even if it's just for aesthetics sake, if you don't have | | | | places to sample from might show no mold |
| time or resources to tackle the source of the | | | | whatsoever. Remember what we know about color: |
| problem, it's best to inspect and test mold to | | | | light mold is the worst. It is good practice then, to |
| determine if it is a health hazard before it's too late. | | | | sample from the highest level of a rising damp, or at |
| Also, if you are buying a new home and discover | | | | the edges of a wet moldy patch. Mold is all about |
| mold, don't assume it's harmless. Protect yourself and | | | | moisture. To find the worst mold, it is important to |
| get it checked out. | | | | understand where the wet spots in the building are. |
| While most molds found are the usual black and | | | | The obvious places, the kitchen, bathroom and |
| green types, there are some molds that are so light | | | | laundry rooms are the worst culprits, but one must |
| and thin they are invisible. Many people, when | | | | not discount the basement and any place the floor is |
| conducting a do-it-yourself mold test, will ignore light | | | | lower or equal to the surrounding terrain. Also, it's |
| mold and just concentrate on the black stuff as they | | | | common to only look for mold in spots that are |
| figure the light stuff is just a lesser form of the | | | | regularly visible. If you find mold in a visible spot, |
| black. Do not let color and ugliness fool you; often, | | | | check any crawlspace or tight gap nearby, as moist |
| the lighter the mold the more hazardous it is. Lighter | | | | and dark places is where mold thrives. |
| mold is usually the type that will become airborne and | | | | As you may now know you are not alone, our |
| thus, inhaled. Also, color matters. Mold comes in many | | | | country certainly has its fair share of mold problems, |
| different forms, and, usually, different colored mold is | | | | and everyone should be on the lookout at home and |
| a whole different animal. This is why you'll often see | | | | work for mold growth which may one day lead to an |
| one color at one level and a different color at | | | | unhealthy environment to inhabit. |