matt@cardinalkc.com // (913) 229-0239
Mold Inspection and Mold Testing in Kansas City
It’s hard enough to stay healthy; you don’t need hazardous materials seeping out of the very walls of your home. Fortunately, with mold testing and mold inspection in Kansas City, you can stay on top of problems developing in your home.
Technically, mold is a fungus. This means that it thrives on moisture and spreads through airborne spores. If you don’t catch the problem in a reasonable amount of time, mold can quickly get out of hand.
Once an area becomes damp, mold colonies may catch hold within 24 hours. Spores can make their way inside via open windows and doors or through an HVAC system. They can even gain entry by catching a ride on a person’s clothes or a pet’s fur.
After mold enters your home, it only takes 18 days for the problem to become visible to the eye. Mold is more than just unsightly — it can damage ceilings, floorboards, walls, and more.
Plus, mold is an irritant to the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Over time, it can even lead to more serious health concerns.
When you partner with a qualified mold inspector in Kansas City, like the team at Cardinal Inspections, you can identify mold so that you can get the problem fixed right away.
The Dangers of Mold
There are two primary hazards when it comes to interior mold. First, mold leads to costly structural problems. Secondly, mold causes a wide range of health problems. Below, we’ve provided a few more details about the dangers of mold.
Structural Damage
Mold damage takes time. But left unchecked, mold can eventually lead to problems like:
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Collapsed ceilings
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Deteriorated wood
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Caved in floorboards
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Weakened walls
Mold feeds on organic matter. If it makes contact with an organic substance in your home, it’s only a matter of time before that substance starts to deteriorate. Between drywall, wood framework, and carpeting, few areas of the home are safe from mold damage.
Of course, mold causes additional problems like unsightly stains and unpleasant odors. The spread of mold can lead to costly damages.
Health Issues
When your home has mold, your indoor air quality takes a major hit. Poor air quality leads to decreased lung function and weaker immune systems.
Mold could leave any member of your family with one or more of these symptoms:
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Difficulty breathing
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Sore throats
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Headaches
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Sneezing
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Congestion
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Coughing
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Skin rashes
If you have any existing conditions, these side effects may become even more severe over time. People with asthma, cystic fibrosis, or allergies are especially vulnerable to exposure to mold.
What Is Mold Testing in Kansas City?
In some cases, mold exists in a home but can’t be seen by the naked eye. We call this “hidden mold.” Areas of vulnerability include walls, around pipes, behind wallpaper, and under carpet pads.
Of course, you don’t want to wait until the walls are literally falling down to find out whether your home has mold. Fortunately, you don’t have to!
Cardinal KC Inspection offers mold testing in Kansas City so you can catch the problem early and resolve it. Our mold tests are performed in two parts and take around two hours to complete
Swab Testing
To begin the process of mold inspection in Kansas City, our technicians will walk around your home. This will give them the opportunity to perform a visual inspection and take samples from different surfaces.
Here is a list of some of the common areas we will swab:
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The kitchen sink
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Window sills
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HVAC vents
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The attic
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Carpeting
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The basement
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The garage
Of course, laboratory results are only as accurate as the samples that are taken. With this in mind, we will work carefully and professionally when collecting our samples.
Air Quality Testing
An air quality test will tell us about the type and concentration of mold spores in your home. In other words, this test won’t only tell us whether mold is present; instead, it will give us an idea of how severe the problem is.
The types of molds number in the tens of thousands. That’s why it’s important to understand exactly which type of mold you’re dealing with. While the presence of pink mold poses little threat, black mold is a more serious problem that demands an immediate response.
Fortunately, the testing process does not take long.
Once we are finished, we will submit the samples we’ve taken from your home to a third-party lab. After one business day, we will provide you with the results of the test. We will also inform you of our interpretation of the results and provide any suggestions we may have for treating problems—if any exist.
When Do You Need Mold Inspection in Kansas City?
Mold grows anywhere you can find moisture. Perhaps your foundation leaks, your washing machine overflows, or your interior air is simply humid. These are the types of conditions that lead to mold growth.
If you notice any of these problems or have another reason to suspect mold, give us a call.
Additional warning signs to watch out for include:
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An unexplained musty or earthy smell
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Cracking paint
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Peeling wallpaper
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Warping floorboards
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Spreading discoloration
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Darkening tile grout
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Frequent cold symptoms
Mold is sometimes confused for dirt, but dirt stains don’t grow. If you notice that any of these problems are worsening each day, that’s a good indicator that mold is the culprit.
Why Choose Cardinal Inspections?
When you need a mold inspector in Kansas City, get in touch with Cardinal Inspections. We offer a number of services and have experience in performing services for mold inspection in Overland Park and Kansas City.
In fact, as a solo operation, we are uniquely focused on homeowners in our area. We love Kansas City; that’s why we donate 5% of the cost of inspection to local charities.
With our team, communication is never an issue. We will keep you informed throughout the process, from inspection to testing and mediation. Trust us to work thoroughly as we identify problems and provide solutions.
If we find a problem that is critical, we will let you know. Likewise, we will tell you when we think an issue doesn’t require action. Unlike many of our competitors, we work in facts, not scare tactics.
As a mold inspector in Kansas City, we also extend our services to include mold testing in Overland Park. If you live anywhere in the KC metro area, we are here to help. Most often, clients reach out when they are buying or selling a home or once they’ve noticed signs of mold.
Reach Out When You Need Mold Inspection in Overland Park
Is it time to schedule an inspection? Visit our contact page to get in touch. We can provide you with an estimate for our services. Because we know that mold is a serious concern, we offer flexible scheduling so you can tackle the problem quickly.
While we set up your appointment, make sure to let us know about any additional inspections you want us to perform. We also offer radon testing and traditional home inspections.
If you have any questions about mold testing in Overland Park, give us a call or send an email. Our team is ready and waiting for your call!