Mold, the infamous four letter that inspectors and real estate agents everywhere won’t let you say out loud without making a stink about it. The truth is that Mold is not a bad word and at Rigid Inspections, we’re not afraid to use it. All homes have mold and without it the world would not be habitable. Mold itself is not a problem, it’s only when there is too much of it that it becomes a problem. When there is too much mold it can cause problems for your health and cause damage to property. This is where mold testing comes in!
Mold Facts
- Around 50% of homes have mold problems.
- Mold causes 100% of chronic sinus infections.
- There are over 10,000 species of mold.
- Mold destroys more wood than fires, floods, and termites combined.
- Mold does not need light to grow.
- Health effects and symptoms associated with mold include allergic reactions, asthma and other respiratory complaints.
Below I’ve outlined a few different testing methods to help you determine if you need mold testing, and which kind of testing best suits your needs.
Indoor Air Quality Testing
There will be a minimum of two air samples taken inside the home. For an additional fee you can have more samples taken inside the home. The samples will be taken at locations decided by you. I recommend testing in commonly lived areas like bedrooms and living rooms. There will also be an outdoor sample taken to compare the inside samples to a baseline (or control sample). Samples are usually taken because there are no visible signs of mold damage. Air samples can tell you if you have hidden moisture issues that are producing spores that may represent a health risk to you and your family.
The Air-O-Cell® is a unique air sampling cassette designed specifically for the rapid collection of a wide range of airborne aerosols, including mold spores, pollen, insect parts, skin cell fragments, fibers (such as asbestos, fiberglass, cellulose, clothing fibers, etc.), and inorganic particulate (such as ceramic, fly ash, copier toner, etc.). The Air-O-Cell® collects both viable and non-viable sample specimens, providing a much broader overview of potential allergens and contaminants than conventional sampling techniques and devices.
I use a air sampling method with a pump and Air-O-Cell canisters. The Air-O-Cell® operates on the principle of inertial impaction. Particulate-laden air is accelerated as it is drawn through the cassette’s tapered inlet slit, and directed toward a small slide containing the collection media, where the particles become impacted, and the air flow continues out the exit orifice. The adhesive nature of the collection media prevents the collected particulate from blurring or being washed off during the laboratory staining process, and also eliminates loss of the sample due to vibration during handling and shipment.
After sampling is completed, the cassettes are sent to a laboratory where the slides are removed, and direct microscopic analysis can be immediately performed. The collection media is compatible with a wide range of biological stains and refractive index oils, allowing direct, quantitative analysis of organic and inorganic particulate.
When Should You Have an Indoor Air Quality Test?
- When a recent or past water event is suspected.
- There is a “musty” smell in the home.
- An occupant/occupants or future occupant/occupants in the home are predisposed to respiratory distress.
- There has been a recent mold remediation and you want to verify the effectiveness of it.
- There is apparent mold growth visible.
Surface Testing
I will be looking for evidence of mold or “microbial” growth. I will use a swab to sample the growth I see. Swabs are used to see if there is evidence of “current or former growth” as a result of water intrusion or excessive humidity that is causing the growth. Sometimes the dark or discolored “growth” is not microbial growth and thus, not evidence of water intrusion causing damage to your home. It is important to sample visible growth along with air samples to measure whether or not unwarranted exposure exists for you and your family.
When Should You Have a Surface Sample Taken?
- When visible growth (or suspected mold) is present in the home.
- Where a cleanup or treatment of visible growth (or suspected mold) took place.
- To ensure work was done properly when a third party performed remediation.
Choosing a company to perform mold testing is an easy task. My testing has clear results in an easy to read format delivered as fast as possible. Every test I perform is analyzed by my partner in lab services, InspectorLab. I ship the samples in via overnight shipping the same day the test is performed. The results are then interpreted clearly and accurately by trained professionals. There will either be problem levels of mold, or there won’t be; and there will either be mold growth present, or there won’t be; the answers are clear cut.
Check out a sample report here.
Make the wise decision and protect you and your family by scheduling your mold test today! Give me a call or text at 636.614.3234 or 618-975-7031 or visit our scheduling page!
