Is there Mold in my air at home or work?

The short answer..YES!

Mold is everywhere. It is in the air that we breathe every day. You only run into health issues or problems if there is a higher amount of mold indoors than there is outside. Besides mold spore type, mold count is what we look at during home mold testing or office mold testing service calls. 

How Does Black Mold Testing Work?

Mold testing starts with a visual inspection of the property. Mold needs moisture to grow; so during the walkthrough, we are generally looking for a source of moisture as well as visible signs of microbial growth on surfaces. For school mold testing, commercial mold testing, or other commercial mold testing services we typically use a handheld laser particle counter to help identify areas of concern. These laser particle counters -or- "LPCs" are instant and can show us the number of particulates in the air at a given time, in a given space, and at a particular size. Mold is usually 2.5 microns in size when aerosolized, so we use that as our benchmark and compare indoor and outdoor readings to gain additional insight. Once a visual inspection is completed, we typically sketch the area so we can calculate the volume of the space as well amount of materials that will need to be removed. The volume of a room is important because the formula to calculate ACH (air changes per hour)  uses volume in addition to the rated CFM (cubic feet per minute) of an air filtration device to dictate how many machines are needed, and how long they need to be installed to completely change the air in the space during mold remediation. 

All of the above information is gleened during an inspection and then used to create a "Remediation Protocol".

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What type of testing can be done?

If during the inspection we find areas of concern (suspected microbial growth) we typically suggest testing it. Sampling methods for mold testing include direct fungal exams like tape lifts and swabs, indoor air quality testing (air sampling with a pump), or even live culture testing.

When do I get my sample results?

Black mold testing results are usually submitted to the lab on a 24 hour "Chain of Custody".  This means the lab has 24 hours from the time they receive the samples to produce results. If mold testing is performed prior to 2pm, we can submit the samples to the lab on the same day, meaning you would have results by the end of the following day. If after 2pm, samples are overnighted and that clock will not start until they are checked into the lab the following day. This can mean you receive results up to 72 hours after sampling. 

Why Should You Professionally Test for Mold

If you are concerned about mold in your home, it is important to have it tested by a qualified professional. Mold can cause a variety of health problems, including respiratory problems, allergies, and asthma. It is important to get rid of mold as soon as possible to prevent these health problems. Having your home inspected and tested by one of our Certified Mold Inspectors, gives you the best possible chance at an inclusive overview of the indoor ecology at your home or business.

For additional information, call Bulldog® at (267) 982-5504 Today and schedule your FREE CONSULTATION!