Most home improvement or hardware stores will have mold testing kits that you can purchase for between $10 and $50. The kit often includes a swab or a scraper for collecting some of the growth that you think is mold. The kit may tell you that mold has been detected, or you may have to send the sample to a lab.
Although symptoms can vary, the most common symptoms seen in people exposed to mold indoors include: Nasal and sinus congestion. Eye irritation, such as itchy, red, watery eyes. Wheezing and difficulty breathing.
There is no way to determine, in a home test, if mold is DANGEROUS. Only an expert can visibly inspect, determine where to test, and interpret those results in a meaningful way. A homeowner can buy a swab test at a Home Depot. It will tell you what species are present.
The two most common methods used to identify a mold problem are mold test kits or air testing sensors. These kits include the necessary air test devices, chemical strips, or Petri dishes and are available at department stores or online. They'll also come with an instruction manual for any brand-specific guidelines.
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.
Mold is a serious problem, and spotting mold contamination before it grows out of control can save you thousands of dollars. This makes the cost of a mold inspection well worth a few hundred dollars when you are buying a new house.
Insurance cover claims if water damage is present. The question is harder to answer if someone wants a mold inspection without having a water damage claim. Mold inspection and testing is generally covered by insurance. Most people who ask for mold inspections also have water damage claims.
Furthermore, mold can grow and spread quickly, and air purifiers are unable to stop its growth since they lack detection capabilities. Therefore, the most effective air purifiers may be able to reduce the amount of mold spores floating in your home, but they won't eliminate them entirely.
Mold Detection
In the same way that smoke detectors identify smoke, not fire, the Biomatrix Mold Monitor identifies unseen moisture that can lead to widespread mold growth.
Companies that provide water damage inspection services may help look for moisture and some may be familiar with mold problems as well. The basics of mold, moisture control and cleanup are in the EPA publication "A Brief Guide to Mold and Moisture in Your Home."
Can Mold Inside Walls Make You Sick or Does It Need to Be Exposed? Yes. Even if you can't see it, mold can make you sick. Spores can spread throughout your home, even from relatively contained areas like inside the wall.
Spray the area with a mixture of water and vinegar - half water, half vinegar. Next, scrub to remove all traces of the mold. For removal of black and white mold, spray the area with the half water and half vinegar solution.
In his California market, the cost can range from $275 for a simple visit to $2,900 for a complex inspection. For homes under 4,000 square feet, Angi estimates the average cost is generally between $300 and $400, whereas larger homes may see prices between $700 and $1,000.
According to the CDC, people usually experience their first symptoms within 2 to 9 hours of their first exposure. On the other hand, some people could go for weeks or months before feeling sick if their exposure is limited enough. This is why it is also important to check damp, dark areas of your home for mold.
Use an air purifier: An air purifier can help trap mold spores in the air and prevent them from spreading. Be sure to choose a model with a HEPA filter, which can capture particles as small as 0.3 microns. Use a dehumidifier: Mold thrives in damp environments, so reducing humidity levels can help prevent mold growth.
To remove mold from your system, focus on strengthening your detox pathways. This includes taking supplements like glutathione, consuming antioxidant-rich foods, staying hydrated, and supporting gut health with probiotics. For more severe cases, consult a healthcare professional for personalized treatments.
“For people with intact immune systems, mold can cause—or worsen—allergic reactions and asthmatic symptoms, such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing,” Johnson-Arbor adds. “Fungal infections, which can involve the blood, brain, lungs, or other organs, are more common in people with weakened immune systems.”
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.
A musty odor after water damage or a leak is an easy tell that you may have mold behind your drywall.
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.
Typically, a pro will take a mold sample from the air or a surface (or both) and inspect that sample. The inspector will use a sport trap for air samples, while they'll take a piece of visible mold or use a swab or tape to look for less visible samples for surface types.
Dwelling coverage, on your condo or homeowners policy, may pay to repair or replace your floors and carpet if they're damaged by a covered peril. For instance, if your home's floors are damaged in a fire, your home insurance may pay for new flooring, up to your policy's limits and minus your deductible.