Did you know that no one knows how many homes are affected by mold? Despite their best efforts, there’s not a good way to estimate the numbers.
That means that you could be dealing with mold within your own home.
There are some signs that you can watch out for to know if you have mold, but the best way to be sure is to get an ERMI test.
What is that exactly? And why might you need one in your home? Keep reading to find out all the answers to your questions and more.
What is an ERMI Test?
In short, an ERMI test is a test done in your home to determine if you have mold and what type it is. The term “ERMI” stands for Environmental Relative Moldiness Index.
After the test is taken and sent to an accredited laboratory, you’ll receive your results within 3-5 days. If you have a high value, it’s more likely that you have mold within your home. If your results come back with lower values, then you’re less likely to have as much mold.
The results will also reveal what type of mold is in your home based on two different groupings.
Group I identifies mold that is most often found in a water-damaged home. These include molds from the Aspergillus and Penicillium families.
Group II identifies types of mold that don’t necessarily thrive in water-damaged homes. But, they can be found in almost any home. There are fewer of these, but they can include Acremonium and Rhizopus molds.
It will also give your home a ranking based on your results. This will tell you where you rank in mold growth among other homes that have had the test. For example, it will tell you if you rank higher or lower than a certain percentage of homes.
With this test, you can easily see how affected your home is and take the next steps to eliminate mold.
What Are Some Signs That I Need an ERMI Test?
If you’re a homeowner, tenant, or property manager, there can be some good signs that you need an ERMI test.
Mold can be toxic and harmful. Testing is a way to determine what is in the environment and if someone could be reacting to the types of mold present.
If you answer “yes” to any of these following questions, then you should invest in mold inspection and testing.
Are you Buying or Selling a Home?
When you’re buying or selling a home, you should be aware that mold is a big issue.
ERMI tests can be beneficial when you’re buying a home to see if there is potential for mold growth. Mold can affect your living space in many ways. Testing any potential properties that you’re looking at can help you to make a final decision.
It will also give you peace of mind knowing what’s growing on the walls.
It’s also great for when you’re selling a home. Did you know that when selling a home, you might have to disclose information on any water-damage or mold problems?
If your ERMI test comes back with low values, that can be a great selling point.
After the ERMI mold test, the values could come back higher. This is also very helpful because it will show you what you need to do to get your home in top shape for selling.
In this case, you might need to get mold remediation. After it’s done, your home will be mold-free and ready to hit the market.
Have You or Your Tenants Been Feeling Ill?
Mold can cause many health problems. In fact, 21% of asthma cases are thought to be caused by mold.
This is why ERMI mold testing is so important to invest in. Your health and quality of life are important, but it can be easily affected by bad air quality.
Mold can affect your home’s air quality in many ways. The fungus has spores that love to spread throughout the home. When you breathe in these spores, it can cause you to have symptoms such as nasal congestion or a sore throat.
If tenants have been complaining of feeling sick, or you feel a little off, it’s a great time to get an ERMI mold test kit.
Do You Smell Musty Odors?
Must is one of the biggest indicators that you might be living with mold. So, if you smell it when you enter your home, it’s a good idea to get mold testing done.
The strength of the smell is also a good indicator of how much mold you’re dealing with. If you have a faint smell, you probably don’t have much. But if it’s strong and noticeable, then you likely have more mold than you think.
Have You Noticed Any Mildew?
Mildew is often a warning sign of mold growth. It’s the beginning stages of the fungus which is less harmful and easier to get rid of.
While you can clean up mildew with bleach and a scrubber, it doesn’t mean that you’re in the clear.
Mildew growth indicates that your home is humid or damp enough for mold growth. For this reason, it’s a good idea to have your home assessed for mold and moisture issues along with having it tested with an ERMI mold test kit.
Do You Have Spots on Your Wall?
Mold can take many forms, but one of the most common is to find spots on the wall. This is common in homes that have been affected by water damage.
Often, the mold will look fuzzy and have a green or black pigment.
Do you have wallpaper in your home? You can get an idea of whether you have mold by checking to see if the wallpaper is peeling. This can often tell you that you’re dealing with a fungus issue.
If you notice any of these signs, you need a mold test.
If You Answered “Yes” to These Questions, You Need an ERMI Test
It’s important to know what’s growing inside of your home. Mold can be a big problem when it domes to the structural integrity of your home and your health. Getting an ERMI test will help you get to the bottom of your mold problem.
Do you think that you have mold growing in your Orlando home? At Elite Mold Services, we can get your home tested to see what’s growing. Contact us to get an ERMI test today!