How can I have my home tested for mold?

What can I do to have my home tested for mold?

Mold testing in the home is a relatively simple procedure that involves taking air samples from various locations in a person’s house. High volume air culture (HVAC) units are placed in the critical areas of the house and run for 48 hours while air samples are drawn at certain time intervals. These units collect all kinds of fungi, spores, yeast, and other organisms inside and outside the home. The collected material is weighed and identified under a microscope by a technician who will look specifically for evidence of Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp., Cladosporium sp., or other specific molds that may be present. This analysis also identifies soil particles that may be associated with mold growth.

Mold testing can also be conducted on building materials such as drywall, insulation, wood, and other structural components. In this case, a small piece of the material is removed and sent to a laboratory for analysis. The presence of mold is determined by the number of colonies that grow on the sample after a specific number of days.

Both HVAC and building material testing are essential to get an accurate picture of any mold problem in a home or office building. A test should be performed anytime there is reason to believe that there may be a mold issue present. This includes water damage, previous flooding, visible signs of mold growth, solid and musty odors, health problems, and current or past leaks.

Once the test results come back, a trained professional can go over these findings and recommend an appropriate course of action. Professional remediating services are often recommended to remove all mold growth from the area. Also, home testing for mold should be performed relative to the severity of any mold-related problems that have appeared in your building or home.
For example, if there is no visible mold growth in the home, the tests come back with high levels of contaminants. It may be suggested that a professional cleaning service comes into the house to remove all potential mold problems.

What are some other ways to ensure my health is not at risk?

Several areas should be tested for mold spores during testing for mold in your home. Air conditioning or heating systems, building materials such as drywall or insulation, water damage sites, and attics are all places where good air quality samples should be drawn. Water damagQe can harbor large amounts of molds that grow on wet wood and sheetrock, causing severe health concerns to people who enter these spaces. The lab will compare the samples taken from each area and recommend steps that should be taken to improve the air quality in your home.