Although both types of mold testing are accurate at detecting the presence of mold, air testing is the most accurate way of determining whether the mold is actually affecting your indoor air quality.
Air sampling is the most accurate method for determining exposure. While a tape lift may accurately determine if mold growth is present on a particular surface, it will not tell you whether that mold growth has actually affected the indoor air quality. Only an air sample can accomplish this.
Air sampling is the most common type of mold testing. It involves collecting air samples from various areas of your home and analyzing them for the presence of mold spores. Air sampling can identify the type and concentration of mold spores in your home.
We do not recommend routine air sampling for mold with building air quality evaluations. In many cases, very short-term sampling for mold spores is performed. However, the results, especially negative findings of mold, may not represent actual exposures.
A series of smart air quality monitors are the best way to handle mold control. These sensors track key metrics concerning indoor air quality in real time, including the presence of mold spores. As soon as mold levels spike, you receive a direct alert to your smartphone.
To test for mold in your home, you need to have a mold-testing kit. Testing kits are affordable and widely available in most home-improvement stores and online e-commerce websites. Once you determine that you have mold, you should call a professional mold company such as IBBOTSON Heating & Air Conditioning Co.
Unchecked mold growth can lead to structural damage, resulting in costly repairs. A thorough inspection identifies visible mold and uncovers hidden sources to allow for timely remediation, preventing further damage and health risks.
Generally speaking, a concentration of mold spores below 500 sp/m3 is considered normal. A concentration of mold spores above 500 sp/m3 is considered high. Therefore, if your report comes up with high concentrations of mold, it will likely advise you to remediate the problem.
Mold can be removed from hard surfaces with household products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of household laundry bleach in 1 gallon of water.
Mold is an obvious health risk in any home, but investing in an air purifier can help limit your exposure. The best among them will ideally offer HEPA-level filtration, with this level of filtration being able to trap up to 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns in diameter.
Inspectors test for mold in basements by conducting a visual inspection, checking for signs of moisture, collecting air or surface samples, and sending them to a laboratory for analysis. They use specialized equipment to detect hidden moisture sources.
Molds are biological, but mycotoxins are toxins, therefore much more dangerous. This blood serum test is the most precise and accurate test there is for the detection of the body's reaction to mycotoxins, both toxicologically and/or allergically.
The Average Cost of a Mold Inspection
You can expect to pay between $250 and $500 for a typical commercial mold inspection. It covers the cost of an inspector coming out to your home, determining if you have an infestation, taking swab samples for testing in their lab, and providing a report with findings.
In conclusion, home air mold tests are mostly inaccurate. Even if the DIY test kit shows that you have a problem, it could be a result of natural spores that are always present in the environment, and as such, you can't use them to make informed decisions on mold remediation.
“Every house, every environment has mold spores.” It becomes an issue when the concentration of mold spores in a home is greater than what is found outside. Mold needs three conditions to thrive: an ideal temperature, a source of food and moisture.
A level 3 mold remediation is when mold has spread between 30-100 square feet. When your mold contamination has spread to the size of an entire utility room, it's time to call a local mold remediation company with a good reputation in your area.
One method is surface testing, which involves collecting samples from visible mold growth or areas suspected of mold contamination. One popular option is the Healthful Home 5-Minute Mold Test, which includes swabs and test strips for quick detection of Stachybotrys and Penicillium/Aspergillus.
Homeowners insurance doesn't usually cover mold damage or removal unless it's the result of a covered peril. If the mold in your residence was caused by something sudden or accidental, such as a bursting pipe or some other covered incident on your policy, you may be protected.
Using a mold testing kit, you can collect samples from strategic locations throughout your home and receive results back pretty quickly. In the worst-case scenario, your results may test positive for mold spores and you can send the results to a lab in order to determine what kind of mold it is.
Most mold removal professionals charge around $10 to $25 per square foot. So, if you're removing mold from a 100-square-foot area, you can expect to pay around $1,000 to $2,500. But factors like where the growth is and the mold type can affect how much it costs to remove it.
It irritates the nose and throat, which can lead to both sneezing and coughing as your body tries to get rid of the irritant. Inhaling mold spores can also trigger coughing in people with allergies or an asthma attack, for those with asthma.
Activated Charcoal: Absorbs toxins, potentially helping to clear mold spores from your system. Take it in capsule form to absorb toxins. It's best used under medical supervision, especially after known mold exposure.