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