Do You Really Need Mold Testing?

Most other mold companies will not reveal the following, but we have been doing so for 21 years because it is our mission to get good factual information about mold out there to combat all the misinformation and fiction that dominates our industry. Ready?

When should mold testing be considered?

  • When visible mold is not present, but the smell of mold is. Here a mold inspection and mold test can reveal whether there is indeed elevated mold, and where it is located.
  • There have been plumbing leaks or water issues and there is a suspicion that elevated mold may exist in the air and/or behind walls.
  • Post Mold Removal Clearance Testing to ensure that the previous mold issue has been resolved and mold counts have returned to levels found in normal environments of the same type.
  • Health Concerns: In some cases, a doctor or the patient has a health issue that they cannot pinpoint the cause but seems to be related to mold symptoms (coughing, sneezing, headaches, etc). Here, a mold inspection and test may help to confirm whether the doctor’s or patient’s suspicions that a mold problem exists.
  • For real estate transactions for the protection of Buyers and Sellers.
  • Landlord/Tenant disputes as to whether there is a mold problem.
  • Someone thinks they see or smell mold but are not sure.
  • Someone is interested in a general Indoor Air Quality test of their environment.

Why Over-The-Counter Home Mold Tests Kits Are a Rip-off:

Can’t I just go to my local home improvement store and buy a home mold test kit to test the mold myself? Here’s why that’s a bad idea.

  • Mold test results from DIY home mold tests are often misleading or simply wrong (i.e. due to sampling error). It’s best to have professional take the test and interpret the results.
  • Home Mold Test Kits don’t include a visual inspection conducted by a mold professional … very important! A professional mold inspection includes not only sampling, but a comprehensive visual inspection to detect issues and problems related to mold that are not apparent to most people without training in building sciences and mold inspections.
  • Mold is everywhere. Yes, all homes have small amounts of mold. Therefore, when a petri dish from a home mold test tells you that you have mold, it is not telling you anything particularly useful since every home has mold!
  • If you suspect a mold problem but do not actually see it or smell it, these test kits do little to help you locate the problem or tell you how serious it is.
  • Don’t take our word for it. Here is what the U.S. Government EPA says, verbatim:

“Sampling for mold should be conducted by professionals who have specific experience in designing mold sampling protocols, sampling methods, and interpreting results. Sample analysis should follow analytical methods recommended by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), or other professional organizations.”