As a Topeka resident, you work hard and enjoy coming home every day to the comfort and safety of your house. You like to leave the stresses of each day behind you and just unwind in peace. One job that no Topeka resident wants to tackle themselves is testing and inspecting their home or buildings for mold.
That said, mold is definitely an issue for a lot of Topekan structures, partly because of the humid climate here in Kansas and partly because of the storm activity, coupled with the fact that many homes and buildings have basements. This creates ideal mold-growing conditions.
Fortunately, there is a solution. But first, let’s cover mold growth and what goes into tackling the issue:
Where Does Mold Grow?
It is estimated that about 70% of homes have mold in them, and mold only takes about 48-72 hours to form after water damage. If the area containing the mold is larger than 3 square feet, you will definitely want to have professional help, since having that much mold in your home greatly increases the risk of mold infection.
Mold does not only grow in basements. Mold can also take hold in crawl spaces beneath your building and over your living quarters in attics. Excess moisture causes high humidity in your crawl space. Encapsulating your crawl space reduces humidity and can prevent mold growth.
What Damage Does Mold Cause?
Even if the water doesn’t damage your structure immediately, the resulting mold compromises the structural integrity of the building, so it is best to take care of the problem as soon as possible. Water can also enter into the attic via leaks in the roof or condensation from improper ventilation (ventilation that leads to the attic rather than going outside). Basements, attics, and crawl spaces are a “mold trifecta” of sorts for buildings since mold commonly grows in those three areas.
What We Do to Tackle the Problem
Here at Lamunyon, we have a multi-step approach to our mold inspection process. We start with a visual inspection, followed by digital documentation (taking pictures of the problem areas so you can see what we saw during the mold evaluation). From there, we can use thermal imaging (infrared cameras) to detect temperature differences in building materials. We do this because wet building materials are almost always cooler than dry building materials. This provides us the needed information to find mold.
Once completed, we map out the moisture in your home (locating the building materials that are damp enough to support mold growth). We compile all of this information for you in an easy-to-understand format and provide you with an expected scope of work for the mold remediation process.
Here are some other test options that we offer:
Airborne and Surface Mold Testing
The most effective way to determine if you have a serious mold infestation on your hand is to test the air for mold spores. We will also use bio tape or mold swabs to conduct a surface test. Once we have the sample, we will send it to our laboratory. Please allow a few business days for test results to be processed.
Please note that these tests are optional and are available upon request. Testing fees will be discussed prior to testing.
Trust Lamunyon Mold Testing and Inspection in Topeka
All Lamunyon Dry Out and Foundation Repair staff, from the phone receptionists who take your call on our 24-hour line, to our mold technicians who come out to test your home, are extremely friendly and helpful. Our technicians are knowledgeable and willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done right for you and your family or business.
We have experience working with all insurance companies and are familiar with their claims process, and have been in business since 1973. Give us a call today!
