What Is a Certified Mold Inspection?
A certified mold inspection is a comprehensive evaluation of a home or commercial property for signs of mold growth, excess moisture, water intrusion, and conditions that may contribute to fungal contamination. The process begins with an initial consultation, either in person or by phone, so we can learn about the property, discuss any areas of concern, explain the inspection and testing process, and determine the appropriate inspection fee.
Information such as the property’s air-conditioned square footage, number of HVAC systems, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and any known moisture or mold concerns helps us determine the scope and cost of the inspection. We also discuss the client’s goals and what to expect during the mold inspection.
A professional mold inspection involves a thorough investigation of the structure to evaluate its current condition and identify potential signs of moisture intrusion or fungal growth. A+ Mold Inspection Specialists uses professional inspection equipment, including infrared thermal imaging cameras, fiber-optic cameras, moisture-detection equipment, and other specialized tools when appropriate. This equipment is used at no additional charge as part of our effort to provide a thorough evaluation of the property.
Professional Mold Testing & Air Sampling
When mold testing is appropriate, indoor and outdoor air samples may be collected to help evaluate the types and concentrations of airborne mold spores present at the property. A minimum mold air sampling setup generally includes:
- Outdoor Control Sample: One outdoor ambient air sample is collected to establish a baseline of the mold spores naturally present in the surrounding outdoor environment. This provides an important comparison point when evaluating indoor samples.
- Indoor Air Sample: One or more indoor ambient air samples are collected based on the property’s size, layout, HVAC systems, and areas of concern. Sampling locations may include a reported problem area, a non-complaint area for comparison, different levels of the property, or areas served by separate HVAC air handlers. Additional sampling fees may apply.
Depending on what is discovered during the mold inspection, swab, tape, or bulk samples may also be collected from areas of visible or suspected mold growth. These surface samples can help identify the type of mold present on a particular material or in a specific location. Additional fees may apply for these samples.
All mold samples represent the conditions present at the time and location of sampling. Samples are submitted to an independent laboratory for analysis, with results typically available within 24 to 48 hours. Laboratory turnaround times may be affected by weekends and holidays.
How Should Homeowners Prepare for a Mold Inspection?
Proper preparation can help prevent activities inside the home from interfering with mold air testing. Before your scheduled mold inspection and air quality testing, avoid vacuuming, dusting, or using cleaning sprays, disinfectants, bleach, antimicrobial products, or other airborne cleaning products unless instructed otherwise.
You can pick up and organize the home as needed, but ideally the property should remain as close to its normal living conditions as possible before testing. Cleaning, spraying chemicals, opening windows for extended periods, or significantly changing the indoor environment shortly before sampling can potentially influence the results.
What Happens If Mold Testing Finds Elevated Mold Levels?
Mold laboratory results should not be evaluated in isolation. A professional mold assessment considers the laboratory findings together with what was observed during the inspection, moisture readings, signs of water intrusion, building conditions, HVAC conditions, and other relevant factors.
There is no single federal threshold that establishes a universally acceptable or unacceptable concentration of airborne mold spores for every indoor environment. For this reason, mold test results require professional interpretation rather than simply comparing the total spore count with one universal number.
Indoor mold samples are commonly evaluated in relation to the outdoor control sample and the types of mold identified. A significant difference between indoor and outdoor samples, unusual concentrations of a particular mold type, or mold found indoors that is not represented in the outdoor sample may indicate that additional investigation is warranted.
Several factors can influence mold air testing results, including indoor and outdoor humidity, temperature, weather conditions, season, HVAC operation, open doors or windows, foot traffic, recent lawn maintenance, cleaning activities, and the recent use of bleach, disinfectants, or antimicrobial products.
Because environmental conditions continually change, air, swab, tape, and bulk samples provide information about the conditions present at the specific time and location where the samples were collected.
How Are Mold Test Results Evaluated?
Professional mold inspectors evaluate the overall pattern of the laboratory results rather than relying exclusively on a single total spore count. Indoor-to-outdoor comparisons, individual mold types, moisture conditions, visible findings, building history, and the location of the samples can all provide useful information when determining whether a potential indoor mold source requires further investigation.
Various organizations and studies have published guidance and research concerning airborne mold concentrations, but these should not be interpreted as a universal pass-or-fail standard for every property. A+ Mold Inspection Specialists evaluates each property individually and uses the laboratory findings together with the complete inspection to provide clients with a clear and objective assessment of the conditions observed.
If the inspection and mold testing indicate conditions that warrant remediation, the next step may include identifying and correcting the moisture source and developing an appropriate mold remediation protocol for the affected areas.
Mold Inspection Pricing & Laboratory Turnaround Time
- Standard Mold Inspection: $400 – includes one outdoor control sample and one indoor air sample
- Additional Samples: $150 each – including ambient air, swab, tape, or bulk samples
- Written Mold Remediation Protocol: Pricing determined individually based on the size and scope of the project
- Laboratory Turnaround: Typically 48 hours for sample analysis; laboratories are closed on weekends and holidays
- Special Pricing: Realtors and contractors are encouraged to call for discounted mold inspection rates. Special discounts are also available for seniors and veterans.