Mold Inspection & Mold Testing in Broward County, Palm Beach County & Martin County

South Florida’s Trusted Choice for Mold Inspection & Mold Testing

POZ Home Inspections is a trusted provider of residential and commercial Mold Inspection and Mold Testing (AQT, Air Quality Testing). Located in the Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach Area. We offer Mold Inspection and Mold Testing in Broward County, Palm Beach County and beyond. Advanced technology is used to locate a moisture source which is the major cause or source of mold. If mold is suspected, POZ can perform pre-testing of affected areas as well as post testing (clearance test) once the cleanup has been completed. We document the extent of mold growth with air and surface sampling to identify what types of molds are present. The level or concentrations of mold spores are then analyzed and confirmed by an independent laboratory. POZ provides full building analysis including a Protocol, with detailed scope of work and solutions to remediate which may be necessary for an insurance claim. Our goal is to help get your home or place of business mold-free with minimal interruption to your life as possible. With a strong background in mold remediation, owner John Posiviata is someone you can trust for accurate analysis and results. Call now and get informed.

Do I have Mold and is it Dangerous?

By now most people are familiar with mold. Mold is a microscopic living organism which survives in our natural environment where we live, work and play. Outdoors, mold spores fly around with the wind on a continuous basis. It’s when the spores catch a ride inside your home and find a warm, dark, damp environment; they then multiply to create the dirty musty odors we recognize as mold. Often times, a leaky pipe, damaged roof or a sudden water loss can create that perfect environment for mold to grow. If allowed to grow unchecked, mold can cause discoloration and structural damage to a building. A significant amount of mold can impact indoor air quality and can be difficult and costly to remove from your home.

Mold and Your Health

Exposure to damp, musty or moldy environments may cause a variety of health issues. Molds can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing, wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation. Immune compromised people and people with chronic respiratory illnesses may get serious infections when they are exposed to mold.

Mold and Your Home

Mold is found both indoors and outdoors. Mold spores can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, as well as heating and air conditioning systems. Mold spores can also attach themselves to clothing, shoes, bags, and pets. Mold will grow in places where moisture or elevated humidity levels are present. It also grows near leaks in roofs, windows, pipes, bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms or where there has been flooding. Mold grows on anything organic like paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.

Can You Control Mold?

Inside your home you can control mold growth by:

• Controlling humidity levels
• Promptly fixing leaky roofs, windows, and pipes
• Thoroughly cleaning and drying after flooding
• Ventilating shower, laundry, and cooking areas
• Cleaning and servicing your HVAC system regularly

If mold is growing in your home, the moisture source needs to be identified and the affected area sanitized. A professionally licensed mold remediation company is the suggested method to remedy any mold problem, large or small. Mold growth, which often looks like spots, can appear in many different colors, and can be recognized by a musty odor. If you can see or smell mold, a health risk may be present. A mold inspection and mold testing should be performed by a licensed mold assessor to determine the levels of mold in your living space. No matter what type of mold is present it should be removed to create a healthy indoor air quality for your home. POZ Home Inspections performs mold testing and evaluations which will give you the homeowner peace of mind knowing the air quality in your home is clean and safe for your family. Our trained specialists will come to your home and make a visual inspection as well as perform the necessary testing to determine the best solution. We understand mold not only damages property but can compromise human health. Our goal is to identify the problem and make recommendations so your family can live in a clean and healthy environment.

When To Worry About Mold In Your Home

As you can see, virtually every move you and nature make, right down to breathing, can be a source of fuel for mold. So, the question is not if mold exists in your home, it’s when you should worry about it. Mold spores will always exist in buildings, but you can’t let mold grow and multiply to the point it increases your exposure level. Heavy exposure puts your health at risk and can lead to damage to your home’s structure and contents. Uncontrolled mold growth will be happy to eat away at both your health and home if you allow it. Health Problems Caused By Mold Mold exposure can cause an array of health problems, including: 1. Skin irritation 2. Allergic reactions 3. Infection 4. Toxicity Those with chronic illness and immune system deficiencies are more prone to developing infectious disease, toxicity, and skin and allergy issues. Ongoing medical and scientific research continues to try and determine the why’s and how’s molds affect our health. To date, allergic reactions appear to be the main symptoms related to mold exposure. Minor skin and allergic reactions may cause sinus irritation, congestion, coughing and wheezing, eye irritation, and skin rashes. Severe allergies can cause shortness of breath, hay fever-like symptoms, and asthma attacks. Body aches and pains, flu-like symptoms, memory issues, headaches, and nosebleeds are also connected to mold exposure.

How Does Mold Exposure Happen?

Because mold is virtually everywhere, most people have multiple contacts with it throughout the day. It’s the level of exposure that you must take caution. Exposure increases as indoor mold dries, is damaged, or disturbed in some way, which then releases spores and cells into the air to settle on your skin, be inhaled, or inadvertently ate.

How Much Mold Is Too Much?

This is a question akin to a sunbather asking how much sun is too much. It depends on the person. Existing health factors, degree of exposure, mold type, and so forth all play a role. However, long-term mold exposure can be a problem for almost anyone, especially if they’re very young or old, have an existing respiratory issue, or have a weakened immune system.

Should My Home Be Tested For Mold?

You can usually smell and see indoor mold growth. Universal health-based nor exposure-based testing standards do not exist, and most state-based departments of health do not recommend mold sampling and mold testing. These are expensive processes that must be done by a professional. In most cases, if you see or smell mold, mold testing will provide confirmation and determination of species type.

If you see mold in your home – Don’t Delay, Call Us Today for Mold Inspection and Mold Testing (954) 610-2775

How To Determine If Your Home Has Mold Investigate for signs of mold growth and potential mold growth with a thorough mold inspection: • Do you have mold-related health symptoms? • Do you see visible mold growth on any surface in your home? It may look velvety, rough, or cottony, and it can be green, yellow, gray, brown, white, black, or a combination in color. • Do you have signs of water damage, standing water, or moisture accumulation? • Routinely check HVAC, appliances, and showers, and other common mold growth sites. • Inspect areas where you smell an earthy, musty, mildew smell.

Are Some Molds More Hazardous?

Certain “toxic” molds can produce mycotoxin chemicals. Since all mold growth can cause health problems, however, there’s no need to test the mold. Any mold inside your home should be promptly and properly removed to ensure the safety of your home and family. Stachybotrys chartarum, also called Stachybotrys atra, is a type of greenish-black mold that can produce mycotoxins at the right ph, humidity, and temperature levels. It mainly grows on water-damaged woods, Sheetrock, and ceilings. Keep in mind that not all black mold is Stachybotrys. In its live stage, the Stachybotrys spores are covered in a slimy substance that prevents it from becoming airborne, but dead and dried spores can become airborne. Currently, testing doesn’t exist to determine if Stachybotrys is producing toxins or if you’ve even been exposed to it. Professionals can use cultures and microscopic mold examination to determine only if the mold is indeed Stachybotrys. Again, this isn’t a test recommended since all mold growth should be removed regardless of its type.

Mold can be a serious health hazard!

If you see mold in your home – Don’t Delay, Call Us (POZ Home Inspections) Today for Mold Inspection and Mold Testing (954) 610-2775 Mold InspectionJohn Posiviata2015