Various mould kits for testing for mould in the air are being advertised online. Unfortunately most of these mould kits, though cheap, are useless and therefore a waste of money. This article will guide you in selecting a mould kit that would help you determine whether you have a mould problem in your home or property.
Mould Kits to Avoid
Mould kits that involve a set of dishes (or plates) that you are instructed to expose for sometime in your home are not efficient in determining whether mould is a problem in your home or not. These moulds kits are sometimes provided for free by some mould removal companies so that they can convince you that you have mould in your home that needs to be removed. The truth is that every home has some amount of mould that has originated from the outdoor environment and this kind of mould does not require removal. Some labs also sell these kind of kits while they know for sure (or maybe they don’t know) that their usefulness is limited.
Mould Kits You can Use
Good mould kits should be the same as the ones used by a professional mould inspector. The kits are comprised of a pump and air sampling cartridges. Since the pump is expensive you rent it for a day. The pump is very easy to operate (click air sampling instructions). Only a laboratory screening can positively establish the types of mould present in the air and the amounts. Some types of moulds can be toxic to human beings, and particularly people most prone to sicknesses such as infants and individuals with weak immune systems such as the aged and the sick. After collecting the samples you send them to a laboratory for identification of the types of mould present and counting to determine how much mould is present in your home. The lab you use should be able to advise you whether you should hire a professional for an extensive mould inspection. If you have visible mould growth and you want to know whether it is a health hazard, you don’t need to buy a mould kit. You can take a sample of the visible mould growth using clear scotch tape and send the sample to Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories for identification. Click sampling for visible mould growth for instructions.
When do you use mould kits?
Mould kits can be used if you are not sure there is mould in your home. You may suspect there is mould growth in your home if members of your family or yourself are constantly sick with flu-like symptoms when they are at home. Another indicator of possible mould growth is a strong musty or earthy smell. By using the mould kit, you save yourself money if it turns out that the amount of mould in your home is insignificant. If you are sure you have a serious mould problem in your home, it’s important to contact a mould professional. Click Mould Companies for a list of mould testing and mould removal companies. If you cannot find a company near your area, contact Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories at 905-290-9101.
How to Prevent Mould Growth In Your Home
Quite a few people today use bleach to prevent mould growth but opinions vary as to the usefulness of bleach in mould control. Bleach is limited in its ability to prevent mould growth. To be able to control or prevent mould growth in your home, you need to understand the cause of mould growth. Many homes have mould on the windowsills, basement, and bathrooms. This is caused by high indoor humidity. The moisture in the home condenses on the surfaces during cold days. Homes with water damage due to high humidly, flooding, leaky roof and plumbing leaks are perfect environments for developing mould growth. Therefore, eliminating humidity and discarding water damaged building materials is the best way to control mould growth. High humidity may be caused by poor ventilation. Ensure your home is well ventilated and fans are used when showering or cooking.
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