Mold is all around us all the time. The only thing necessary for mold to sprout is a source of moisture and some source of food. We often get mold in the bathroom, around the shower. It is easy to identify and can be treated with bleach or Concrobium Mold Cleaner.

The small amount of mold that is visible in the bath and around any other source of water in the house is not a problem. The real problem is the mold that may be in your house that you cannot see. If there is an air leak in the HVAC (heating and A/C) duct work, moisture can collect in the duct work. Anytime you have moisture collecting in an enclosed system, you have the potential for mold.

Another source of moisture intrusion is from roof leaks, condensation in the exterior walls or from a plumbing leak in the interior walls. It does not need to be a big leak. A small accumulation of moisture anywhere in the interior of the walls can result in mold growth. You will not be able to see it. You may be able to detect it by the musty smell.

If you suspect that you have a mold problem or you (or someone in your family) has chronic respiratory problems, then I suggest you find a industrial hygienist that specializes in mold detection. A professional may have an opinion about the mold by visual inspection. However he will want to conduct some air samples and have them tested to get an accurate detail of the type and concentraton of the mold that may be present.

If you have a serious mold problem, it is not recommended that you treat it yourself. A serious mold problem needs the services of someone who specializes in this type of work. Be sure to get references. Find out how long they have been treating mold. If you have a serious mold problem, you must do two things. The first is to identify the souce of the moisture intrusion. If you do not identify and correct the moisture intrusion problem, killing the mold will only be temporary. It will come back.

Therefore in addition to having a competent professional test for the mold, you need a construction professional to identify and correct the moisture intrustion problem.

To properly treat a serious mold problem can be an expensive undertaking. Most homeowner insurance policies have a mold exclusion clause. However a construction specialist that works in mold remediation should be able to determine if your situation is covered by your insurance.

Realize that mold is microscopic airborne particles and it can contaminate your cloths and most other porous materials. So if you have a serious problem, you will need to treat the contents as well as the house.

This is certainly a case where an ounce of prevention is worth its weight in gold. Periodic maintenance inspections with a close eye for moisture intrusion is your best defense. The second thing is early detection. So if you think you have a problem, get it inspected by a competent professional. Waiting will only make the potential problem more difficult to correct and the cost goes up exponentially.