Do you often get that musty smell in your room but can’t figure out where it’s coming from? You might check the curtains, peek below the carpets and sniff around the room; however, you find nothing.
That’s because mould does not show up within the visible areas of the house. Rather, they remain hidden behind walls, under floors or inside cavities. They do not grow in a day. Rather, they grow over weeks and months as the walls and cavities remain exposed to moisture for extended periods.
This is why you need professional mould removal services in London to intervene. They will look into the hidden corners rather than simply looking around the property.
Why is visual inspection not enough?
A visible patch behind the wall or on the ceiling is just the tip of the iceberg. Mould spreads rapidly through the porous materials present in the property. Hence, the real problem remains behind the walls.
If you’ve plasterboard, timber, and insulation in your property, then mould will spread through them inside the walls and ceilings. Relying on the visible points is thus not enough.
How do professionals test for mould?
Professionals combine specialist tools and use years of training and experience to find the hidden mould beneath the wall’s surface. Some of the proven methods of mould inspection are:
Using moisture meters and thermal imaging
Professionals use moisture meters against walls, floors, and ceilings and detect damp readings in the property. This helps them find the source of water leaks or damp in the walls. Thermal imaging cameras are used to highlight temperature changes, which help identify trapped moisture.
Air quality sampling
The specialists take air samples from different rooms to measure spore concentrations. They compare the results with those from samples taken outside the property. If the spore count is high, it confirms the presence of mould, and if the spore count is low or undetectable, it confirms that no mould growth is present in the property.
Surface and swab testing
Specialists take swabs from the rooms and parts of the house where they suspect mould growth. Then they send it to a lab for analysis. Analysis helps to find the type of mould infestation present in the property. For instance, if there is a black mould infestation, professional removal is necessary immediately, as this is the most toxic form of mould.
Borescope inspections
A small camera mounted on a flexible cable is inserted into wall and floor cavities to inspect the interiors of walls and ceilings for the growth and spread of mould. It’s one of the most effective ways to test for mould.
What happens after mould testing?
Once the test is completed, the specialists will compile a complete report which outlines the following:
- Parts of the property where mould was found
- Type of mould infestation
- Amount of mould infestation and spread
- Probable remediation plan and its expense
- Type of treatment that is required
If you have mould infestation in your property, get in touch with Mould Matters. We are a professional mould removal company that provides safe and effective solutions for London and the surrounding areas. We understand the health concerns associated with mould and take a comprehensive approach to remove it entirely, addressing the root cause to prevent future growth. Contact Mould Matters today for a free consultation and breathe easy again.