One of the most unpleasant things that accumulate in the house is mold. Basically, molds are fungi that have grown into hyphae, a form of multicellular filaments. Some mold formations cause food spoilage or diseases, others are essential in playing an important role in the production of various items such as beverages, foods, enzymes, and antibiotics.
The formation of molds in the house can often be considered as a thing to get rid of. Various formations of molds are caused by high level of moisture that facilitates the growth of molds. Formations of molds have been tested and proven to foster an unpleasant living or working environment that can lead to a lot of health issues. Among the most common types of molds is food. Bread, other dairy products, decaying fruits, dust, shower curtain, and other moist places are some of the common places molds can form. Its formation can be best eliminated by keeping the environment clean and dry at all times.
How will I know if I have mold in my home?
It is easy. The formation of molds can be checked visually. Basically, the formation of molds can be found everywhere; either indoors or outdoors. Molds are considered part of the environment and having one in your home is just nothing but normal. Mold indoors should be avoided because it can cause health problems. The production of molds is made possible by tiny spores that can’t be seen by the naked eye.
It manifests and floats in the air. When these tiny spores hit a surface wet enough to support their multiplication, molds are formed. When inspecting and testing for mold in the house, the following are needed: petri dish (mold test kit); transparent scotch tape (1 inch or wider); inexpensive hygrometer; and a flashlight. The following are the steps in gathering mold samples (if there is any) that can be submitted to the laboratory.
- Seal the tape in a location where there is a visible presence of molds. Be sure that the adhesive side of the tape has gathered enough samples. Place the tape in a clear ziplock type plastic and label it according to the place it was gathered. Submit the samples to a certified mold laboratory.
- To test for spores present in the air, use the petri dish. Spores and molds often accumulate in a moist place, so try checking on the air conditioning vents. Position the petri dish close enough to gather samples. Leave the dish for an hour exposing it to the air source. Secure the samples in a ziplock-type plastic label and submit them to a certified mold laboratory.
- Try to check for mold formation by using the sense of smell and visually checking for its presence by using a strong flashlight. Physically, do an inspection in the possible places where you may have a mold problem.
Those steps can be done easily. Checking the samples with a certified center can securely check for its kind and its possible effect once humans are exposed. However, steps can be done to ensure that the cleanliness is maintained and possible causes of molds and other fungi can be prevented and totally eliminated.