Brought to you by STOP Restoration Spokane — Your Trusted Mold Inspection & Remediation Experts
Mold isn’t just an eyesore — it’s a potential health hazard and a sign of deeper moisture issues in your home. Whether you’ve recently experienced water damage or noticed a musty smell, inspecting your home for mold is essential for maintaining a healthy indoor environment. Fortunately, identifying mold early can help you prevent structural damage and avoid costly repairs.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to inspect for mold in your home, what signs to look for, and when it’s time to call the professionals at STOP Restoration Spokane, the leading mold inspection and remediation company in the Spokane area.
Why Mold Inspections Are So Important
Mold thrives in damp, dark environments — typically where moisture meets organic materials like drywall, wood, or carpet. While small mold issues might seem harmless, prolonged exposure can cause health problems, including:
- Allergic reactions (sneezing, coughing, skin irritation)
- Asthma flare-ups or respiratory issues
- Headaches and fatigue
- Irritation of eyes, throat, or nose
More importantly, mold often indicates water intrusion or humidity problems that can cause long-term structural damage if ignored. A professional mold inspection not only detects visible growth but also identifies the root cause of moisture buildup.
Step 1: Identify Areas Most Prone to Mold Growth
Before you begin your inspection, focus on the areas of your home most susceptible to moisture:
- Bathrooms – Check around sinks, tubs, showers, and toilets. Look for discoloration or soft spots on walls and ceilings.
- Kitchens – Inspect under sinks, around dishwashers, and behind refrigerators.
- Basements & Crawl Spaces – These areas often have poor ventilation and high humidity.
- Attics – Roof leaks and inadequate insulation can trap moisture here.
- Laundry Rooms – Look behind washers and dryers for signs of leaks or condensation.
Even if a space looks clean, mold can grow behind walls, under flooring, or inside HVAC systems.
Step 2: Look for Visible Signs of Mold
Mold can appear in a variety of colors and textures — black, green, white, yellow, or even orange. Common signs include:
- Discoloration on Walls or Ceilings – Patches or streaks that look like dirt or soot.
- Peeling Paint or Bubbling Wallpaper – Often a result of trapped moisture.
- Warped or Buckled Materials – Wood floors, drywall, or trim that has absorbed moisture.
- Condensation on Windows – Indicates excess indoor humidity, a breeding ground for mold.
If you see dark spots or stains that seem to spread over time, it’s best to assume mold is present and proceed carefully.
Step 3: Trust Your Nose — Detect Musty Odors
Even when mold isn’t visible, it often emits a distinctive earthy or musty smell. If you detect persistent odors, especially after cleaning or dehumidifying, it could signal hidden mold behind walls, under carpets, or within ventilation ducts.
You can perform a quick test by closing windows and doors in the affected room for an hour, then re-entering. If the smell is stronger, that’s a clear sign of mold activity.
Step 4: Check for Moisture Problems
Mold needs moisture to grow, so identifying sources of water is key. During your inspection, look for:
- Leaky Pipes or Fixtures – Even small drips can lead to significant mold colonies.
- Roof Leaks – Check attic insulation and ceiling corners after heavy rain.
- Foundation Cracks – Water seeping through basement walls or floors can go unnoticed.
- Poor Ventilation – Inadequate air circulation in bathrooms or laundry areas traps humidity.
Consider using a moisture meter or hygrometer to measure humidity levels in your home. Ideally, indoor humidity should stay between 30–50%.
Step 5: Avoid DIY Mold Testing Kits
While home mold test kits are widely available, they often provide unreliable results. Mold spores are naturally present in the air, so even a clean home can trigger positive readings. More importantly, these kits don’t identify the cause or extent of contamination.
Instead, it’s best to contact certified professionals like STOP Restoration Spokane, who use advanced tools such as thermal imaging and air sampling to pinpoint hidden mold sources and measure contamination levels accurately.
Step 6: Call STOP Restoration Spokane for Professional Mold Inspection
If you suspect mold but can’t locate the source — or if you’ve already discovered visible growth — it’s time to call in the experts.
STOP Restoration Spokane specializes in comprehensive mold inspection and remediation services. Their trained technicians follow a meticulous process to ensure your home is safe and mold-free:
- Thorough Assessment – They inspect your property using advanced detection tools to identify all affected areas.
- Containment & Safety – They isolate contaminated spaces to prevent cross-contamination.
- Safe Mold Removal – Using industry-approved methods, STOP Restoration Spokane removes mold safely without spreading spores.
- Moisture Control & Prevention – Their team addresses the underlying cause — leaks, humidity, or water damage — to prevent future growth.
- Post-Remediation Verification – A final inspection ensures the mold problem is fully resolved before restoration work begins.
By hiring professionals, you not only eliminate existing mold but also safeguard your home from recurring issues.
Step 7: Prevent Mold from Coming Back
Once your home is mold-free, prevention is key. Here are a few simple strategies:
- Use dehumidifiers in damp areas.
- Run exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens during and after use.
- Fix leaks immediately — even small ones.
- Ensure gutters and downspouts direct water away from your foundation.
- Keep indoor humidity below 50% year-round.
- Schedule annual inspections with professionals like STOP Restoration Spokane for peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
Mold inspection might seem daunting, but early detection and prompt action can save you thousands of dollars in repairs — and protect your family’s health. While DIY checks are a good first step, only a professional inspection can uncover hidden contamination and address the root cause effectively.
If you live in or around Spokane and suspect mold in your home, don’t wait. Contact STOP Restoration Spokane today for fast, reliable, and certified mold inspection and remediation services. Their experienced team is dedicated to restoring your property — and your peace of mind.
FAQ
1. What are the first signs of mold in a home?
The earliest signs of mold often include a musty or earthy odor, visible black, green, or white spots on walls or ceilings, and unexplained allergic symptoms like sneezing or itchy eyes. If you notice these signs, it’s important to have your home inspected promptly. STOP Restoration Spokane can help identify hidden mold before it spreads.
2. Can I do a mold inspection myself?
You can perform a basic visual inspection and check for musty smells or water damage, but DIY tests are rarely accurate. Professional mold inspections use specialized equipment like moisture meters and air sampling to locate hidden mold. For reliable results, it’s best to contact experts like STOP Restoration Spokane.
3. How dangerous is mold to my health?
Mold exposure can cause a variety of health issues — especially for people with allergies, asthma, or weakened immune systems. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, skin irritation, and sinus congestion. Certain molds, such as black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum), can produce mycotoxins that are particularly harmful.
4. What should I do if I find mold in my home?
Avoid disturbing the mold, as it can release spores into the air. Don’t use bleach or household cleaners, as these may worsen the problem. Instead, contact a professional mold remediation company like STOP Restoration Spokane. Their team can safely contain, remove, and treat the affected areas to prevent recurrence.
5. How do professionals inspect for mold?
Certified mold inspectors use advanced tools such as infrared cameras, hygrometers, and air quality testing equipment to detect hidden mold and excess moisture. They assess visible growth and collect samples for lab analysis when necessary. STOP Restoration Spokane’s detailed inspection ensures no contaminated area goes unnoticed.
6. Is all mold visible?
No, much of the mold found in homes grows behind walls, under flooring, or inside HVAC systems. That’s why mold inspections often involve thermal imaging and moisture mapping to locate hidden colonies. Even if you can’t see it, a musty odor is a major red flag that professional testing is needed.
7. How long does a mold inspection take?
A typical residential mold inspection takes 1–2 hours, depending on the size of the home and the extent of suspected mold growth. If lab testing is needed, results are usually available within a few days. STOP Restoration Spokane provides clear, detailed reports and recommendations after every inspection.
8. Will homeowners insurance cover mold removal?
Coverage varies depending on your insurance policy and the cause of the mold. In many cases, mold resulting from sudden water damage (like a burst pipe) may be covered, but long-term neglect or humidity issues might not be. STOP Restoration Spokane can assist with documentation and communicate with your insurance provider during remediation.
9. How can I prevent mold from coming back after removal?
Preventing mold requires controlling moisture. Use dehumidifiers in damp areas, fix leaks immediately, and ensure proper ventilation in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. After remediation, STOP Restoration Spokane offers moisture control and preventative maintenance services to help keep your home mold-free long-term.
10. Why choose STOP Restoration Spokane for mold inspection and remediation?
STOP Restoration Spokane is a trusted local expert with years of experience in mold detection, cleanup, and prevention. Their certified technicians use state-of-the-art technology and proven methods to ensure your home is safe, healthy, and completely restored. They don’t just remove mold — they address the source, giving you lasting peace of mind.
