Mold inspection and testing

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The first part of your mold inspection is simply walking around the home and looking at potential areas for mold. The 2 most common types of mold problems we find are surface growth (usually looks like a fuzzy or dust like build up on walls, leather goods and furniture). The 2nd type of mold we find is in building materials from water damage. this can be visible on the surface of drywall or flooring or unseen as it is trapped inside a wall or the base of cabinets. After 20 years doing this it becomes obvious what areas of the home are prone to mold and mildew and water damage. Typical areas would be under sinks, around windows, skylights, sliding doors and areas where the foundation of the home is below grade. Other areas would be where a lack of air circulation causes surface growth most often first seen on leather goods in closets that have no air vents and the door remains closed much of the time. 

The second part of the mold inspection involves the use of a thermal imaging camera. The thermal vision allows us to see temperature differences in building materials. When walls are wet it is typically not visible without the thermal camera. Thermal imaging also detects voids in insulation, plumbing leaks and window leaks. 

As good as there thermal camera is.... If the moisture reaches equilibrium temperature with the building materials it may not detect the leak. A good moisture meter will detect any wet areas in building materials which is where mold and fungal growth will be present.

Air sample tests are used to determine the levels of mold in the air of the home and detect mold that can't be seen but is believed to be present. Air samples are collected from the outside of the home to establish a baseline which the indoor air samples will be compared to. Indoors, samples will be taken from what is believed to be affected rooms and unaffected rooms. Samples are collected using a professionally calibrated air sample vacuum that draws air through a sterile cassette. The cassettes are delivered to a laboratory for microscopic observation. The lab compiles a report  that lists the amount and types of mold spores found in the cassettes. We compare what is found outside to what is found indoors to determine if the levels are higher indoors which verifies the presence of indoor mold sources.

Surface swab tests are used to determine the levels of mold on a surface of the home and detect types of mold that may or may not be visible. surface samples are collected by swaying a surface or inside a crevice with a sterile swab which is then analyzed by the laboratory. Surface testing is useful when the mold may not be airborne and is typically used in conjunction with air sampling and visual inspections.

As state licensed mold remediates and assessors we often are hired to write mold remediation protocols after our inspections. A written protocol is essentially a scope of work for the mold remediation contractor to follow. The protocol will usually include room by room instructions on what building materials are to be demolished and removed and treated for mold and are based on our inspection and testing. 

Mold clearance testing or "post remediation mold test" is similar to our initial visual and air sample test. The test is performed immediately after the mold remediation contractor has completed the scope of work. This test is used to verify the home has been successfully treated and is free of mold and fungal growth. If the test is unsatisfactory the mold contractor must return to complete a second scope of work and the home, in most cases will need to be retested.