Before it becomes visible, mold usually smells.

If it smells like mold, that is what it is, says Eunice Sahr from  North Dakota University Extension Service Office in an article published in the Jamestown Sun.

“If you can smell a musty odor or see mold, you have a mold problem. You don’t need to test for mold. Reliable sampling for mold can be very expensive since it requires special equipment and training. Testing is not generally recommended as a first step.”

Along with tips and instructions for safe mold removal, the article discuss means of keep the mold from coming back.

“The moisture problem must be fixed to prevent future mold growth. Since there are some mold spores everywhere and since mold grows on any wet organic surface, the only way to prevent mold growth is to keep things dry.”

Above grade, adequate ventilation and fans will most of the time do the trick. Basements and crawl spaces will often need a dehumidifier, as the relative humidity brought in with the outside air will usually increase as it enters naturally cooler below grade spaces.

The article also advises homeowners to wait until wood moisture readings are dry enough for reconstruction, otherwise the mold might contaminate the newly added woodwork.