Mold comes without any visible sign initially, but once it starts to get visible, expect that the spread and damage have reached a severe stage. If you don’t want to end up in that stage and want to assess your property for mold development, then there are certain ways to assess it. However, if you still want to be 100% sure of the situation, the best way is to hire a professional mold testing company in Toronto.
Here are some ways through which you can assess the development of the mold in your property without any professional guidance, but keep in mind, they are not as accurate as the professional service.
Smell Tests
Many times, mold is not strongly visible on walls or wood, but its presence can still be felt, and one of the reliable ways to detect it is by a smell test. Mold has a very distinctive smell, especially in the area where they have grown immensely while staying hidden from the naked eye. Go to the areas where moisture is easily built up and smell, and if you have a musty or earthy odor, then the chances of mold being present there are high.
Use the Bleach Method
If you spot something like dirt in an unusual area or where it is unlikely for the dust to settle, it is not wrong to suspect it of mold. To eliminate the confusion, do a bleach test. All you have to do is dip a cotton swab in a diluted bleach and make a 1:16 ratio of the solution (1 of bleach and 16 of water). Use the cotton dab to dab on the wall, and if the spot lightens after two minutes and keeps coming back after constant cleaning, it is indeed mold.
Use a Moisture Meter
Using a moisture meter to assess the development or even presence of the mold in your home is one of the accurate ways. Areas with mold will have excess humidity, and if your meters give a reading of more than 20%, the problem is definitely there. You should start inspecting the common areas, including under the sink, cleaning, HVAC system, and window sealings.
If nothing seems to work and you still suspect your home have mold, better call for professional services, but the above-discussed ways do work in the majority of cases.
