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When molds are present in large quantities (called colonies) they can cause health problems in some people. Molds are simple, microscopic organisms whose purpose in the ecosystem is to break down dead materials.Molds can be found on plants, dry leaves, and on just about every other organic material. Some molds are useful, such as those used to make antibiotics and cheese. Some molds are known to be highly toxic when ingested, such as the types that invade grains and peanuts. Most of the mold found indoors comes from outdoors. Molds reproduce by very tiny particles called spores. Spores are very light and can travel on air currents. If mold spores land on a suitable surface, they will begin to grow. Molds need three things to thrive- moisture, food and a surface to grow on. Molds can be seen throughout the house, and can be found in most bathrooms. Mold growth can often be seen in the form of discoloration, and can appear in many colors-white, orange, pink, blue, green, black or brown. When molds are present in large quantities (called colonies) they can cause health problems in some people. Some mold problems are obvious - you can see it growing. Others are not so obvious. If you can see mold, or if there is a musty odor in your home, you probably have a mold problem. Areas that are wet, or have been wet due to flooding, leaky plumbing, leaky roofing, or areas that are humid (such as bathrooms and laundry rooms) are most likely to have mold growth. Look for previous water damage. Visible mold growth may be found underneath wallpaper and baseboards, behind walls, or may be evident by discolored plaster or drywall. If you don't have any observable mold, but are experiencing symptoms likely to be mold-induced, the mold could be growing in areas you can't see, such as the ducts of a heating/cooling system. In this case, the only way to know if you have mold spores is to test. Building Inspection Services of Ocala can conduct air sampling to detect the presence of these spores in your home. Testing is the only way to determine if you have a mold problem and what type it is. We will provide you with a laboratory report that will detail if any unusual mold conditions exist as well as fungal descriptions that are pertinent to the indoor samples collected. General characterization of mold will be made with respect to their most common impact to human health. Water Testing (Bacteria) & FHA Water Testing (Chemical/Bacteria)Well water may contain harmful bacteria despite its clear appearance. Most microorganisms can be tolerated by healthy adults, but infants or the elderly or ill can be sickened by some of these invisible, odorless bacteria. Testing for potability is an important and inexpensive check to protect your health. Other tests are available to determine the quality of water as related to lead content, nitrates, nitrites, turbidity. These tests are performed by certified labs and certified sample collectors to insure accuracy.

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