New Technology Can Detect Unseen Smelly Mold

4/23/2018 (Permalink)

Acting to break down most natural substances, molds, mildews, and yeasts play a critical role in keeping nature clean and disease-free. However, when the ravenous multi-cellular threads begin multiplying indoors as they eat walls, ceilings, or carpets, it can quickly become a problem in Greeneville, TN. Not only are most molds highly destructive, but they can also stay hidden for weeks before exhibiting a mold smell that can be very unpleasant.

The Odor

Though difficult to describe, mold produces mycotoxins that have a distinct odor all their own. Some people have described the smell as:

• Dirty socks odor
• Wet dankness stink
• Damp forests stench
• Old library smell
• Extra strong mildew smell

Often difficult to locate, mold enjoys dark environments with ample moisture. This can make finding the colonies difficult. That is why technology has moved past locating colonies by mold smell and now uses heat sensing to find the fungus.

The Location

Professional mold remediators suggest locating hidden pockets of mold with an infrared camera. Producing heat radiation images, the camera can often detect moisture hidden inside walls, ceilings, and floors. If a technician notices a fungus smell, he or she can turn the lens toward the potential mold growing area and take temperature measurements. By taking several readings in surrounding areas, and comparing the difference, the engineer can accurately detect areas encouraging mold growth.

The Camera

Once a suspected area of mold is located, the thermal images can document quite a bit of sensory information. The data can:

• Identify the colony size
• Locate the growth pattern
• Detect suspected water source

Using high resolution images, advanced thermal fusion, or laser pointer pictures, specialists can offer mold inspection services not even imagined a decade ago. The camera can also save a tremendous amount of time as it provides a reliable survey of previously hidden areas.

Building owners no longer need to tear walls out of their building at the first hint of a mold smell. With the new camera technology available, infrared detection can save time and money as it can provide an early detection device in the fight against hidden mold. For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROgreenecounty.com/.