Before You Call a Mold Inspector

Finding or suspecting mold in your home can trigger instant anxiety. Most people jump straight to: “I need an inspection right now.” And while professional testing absolutely has its place, not every situation requires spending hundreds of dollars immediately.

Even though we’ve got years of experience, training, and some pretty cool equipment, homeowners can often perform a solid first check themselves. Think of it like noticing your tire looks low. Before replacing the entire tire, you check the pressure. Sometimes it’s just cold weather. Sometimes it’s a leak. That quick check saves money and gives clarity.

Mold is similar. There are smart, practical steps you can take before calling a professional.

Step 1: Follow the Moisture

Mold doesn’t appear randomly. It follows moisture. Always.

If there’s no moisture problem, mold cannot grow. So your first job isn’t to hunt for mold — it’s to hunt for water.

Check:

• Under sinks

• Around toilets

• Near showers and tubs

• Window sills

• Basements

• Attics

• Around HVAC units

• Ceiling stains

• Exterior walls after storms

You’re looking for:

• Water stains

• Peeling paint

• Warped wood

• Soft drywall

• Musty smell

• Persistent condensation

If you find active moisture, you’ve found the root of the problem. Mold is a symptom. Water is the cause.

Fixing moisture early often prevents a much larger (and more expensive) mold issue later.

Step 2: Use Your Nose

Your nose is one of the best mold detectors you own.

That classic musty, earthy, old-basement smell? That’s microbial growth. Even if you don’t see mold, your nose can detect hidden issues behind walls, inside closets, or under flooring.

Try this:

• Close a room for a few hours

• Walk in fresh

• Take a slow breath

If the smell hits you immediately, something is feeding microbial growth.

No gadgets required.

Step 3: Look in the Boring Places

Mold doesn’t grow where it’s convenient. It grows where it’s ignored.

Check:

• Behind furniture pushed against exterior walls

• Closet corners

• Behind washing machines

• Under carpets near exterior doors

• Garage walls

• Storage boxes

• Basement corners

You’re not looking for horror-movie mold. Most mold starts small:

• Speckling

• Faint discoloration

• Dust-like patches

• Grey, green, or black dots

Catching it early means you’re preventing escalation.

Step 4: Watch Your Humidity

Indoor humidity should ideally sit between 35%–50%.

Above 60%? You’re feeding mold.

You can buy a hygrometer online for the price of a coffee. If your home is consistently humid:

• Use bathroom fans

• Use kitchen ventilation

• Run a dehumidifier

• Improve airflow

• Check crawlspaces and basements

Humidity control is mold prevention.

When You Should Call a Professional

DIY checks are great — but there are moments where professional inspection is absolutely worth it:

• You smell mold but can’t find the source

• You’ve had flooding or leaks

• Health symptoms worsen indoors

• You’re buying or selling a home

• Visible growth is spreading

• You want lab-confirmed answers

• You need documentation for insurance or legal reasons

That’s where experience, training, and equipment matter.

The Goal Isn’t to Avoid Inspectors — It’s to Be an Informed Homeowner

We’re not here to scare people into inspections. We’re here to help people understand their homes.

Sometimes your DIY check will confirm everything is fine. Sometimes it’ll uncover a small moisture issue you can fix immediately. And sometimes it’ll tell you: “Yeah… it’s time to call someone.”

All three outcomes are wins.

Because an informed homeowner makes smarter decisions — and often saves a lot of money in the process.