How to Do a Black Mold Inspection

Black mold is a harmful fungus that can cause ailments in unwary residents. When black mold gets into the walls and other damp surfaces in a house, it multiplies if not eradicated promptly. Black mold can cause headaches, nausea, lethargy and even memory loss. If you believe that you have this mold in your home, black mold inspection and cleanup should be carried out promptly.

• 1

  Search areas that are damaged by water for indications of black mold. Laundry rooms, crawl spaces, basements, and other areas of the house that have leaking water or high moisture content are prime locations for the formation of black mold.

• 2

  Look on the moldings and walls for dark spots. Areas that have wet flooring may have mold on the moldings. When black mold spreads, it creeps its way farther up the house wall where it penetrates the drywall and the areas beneath.

• 3

  Check if there is a black, circular pattern formation. Black mold develops and grows in a circle pattern and does not diverge unless it propagates to an area that does not have moisture. The circular pattern of this mold looks greasy or slimy on surfaces that are wet, and sooty and dry on areas that were previously dampened and have since dried up.

• 4

  Check your family members for signs and symptoms like skin irritations, congestion, sinus problems and fatigue. All of these can indicate that a black mold is festering in your house. If a family member is not recovering from an allergy or cold-like symptoms, black mold may be the cause.

• 5

  Call a licensed home inspector to check the house. A trained professional can diagnose the problem by doing a full examination of your home. The inspector will carefully search the floorboards, carpets, inner walls and ceiling tiles. He will also forge a plan to eradicate the infestation from your home.