Mold & Air Quality Testing
Do you Have Mold Concerns?
A lot of us spend a good amount of time indoors. The air we breathe can affect our well-being. If you find yourself not feeling well- headaches, brain fog, fatigue, allergy symptoms, you might want to get a mold or air quality test!
Mold can often hide in plain sight. It could be behind your walls, under floors, in your basement! This is when an air quality sample can tell you what your mold exposure is, if any. An air quality test with ARTI Home Inspections is non-invasive and can pinpoint the concentrations and types of mold you have in your air.
What is Mold?
visible mold
Mold is a fungal growth and a natural part of the environment. There are many types of molds. Most molds are not harmful! We use molds to make food and medicine.
Other molds can cause health problems. You’ve probably heard of “black mold” but it isn’t necessarily any more dangerous than other types of mold.
Some signs you could have a mold issue in your home can be:
- a musty odor
- dark stains on walls or ceilings
- a cough, cold, headache, or fatigue that won’t go away
- worsening asthma or allergies indoors
- unusual pet behavior
- a history of flooding or water damage in your home
mold growth in an attic
How Do Homes Get Mold?
Flooding, leaks, humidity and poor ventilation can contribute to the growth of mold. Usually, if you can find the source of the moisture and address it, you can stop the spread of mold.
Mold feeds on organic material such as wood, drywall and insulation. This can impact the structure of your home and can pose a danger to its occupants’ health. Severe respiratory issues, skin rashes, and even depression can result from untreated, prolonged exposure to mold spores.
What Does a Mold & Air Quality Test Consist Of?
Mold & Air Quality Testing involves collecting air samples from different locations within a home and analyzing them for the presence of mold. Our inspector uses the latest technology air pump with a specialized sampling device to collect samples from each area of the home. Most commonly, 3 samples that are taken. 2 indoor samples (1 sample per 1,000sq ft is the minimum protocol) and 1 sample from outside the home (for comparison). We then expedite them to the laboratory for analysis.
These assessments are a great way to determine if the mold levels are acceptable in your home and if further actions need to be taken.
What if Mold is Found?
Professional mold testing is important because it allows the early detection of mold growth in your home.
If there is unacceptable levels of harmful mold found in your air, that’s the time to contact a mold remediation company. Prior to the remediation, you’ll need to understand what caused the mold and address those issues whether it’s a leak, water intrusion, humidity, etc so that once it’s remediated, the problem does not come back.
You can also read more about Mold & Moisture in your home with information provided by the EPA
How Much Does a Mold Inspection Cost?
If you’re using ARTI Home Inspections for your mold testing needs, you can contact us for specific pricing for your home and situation.
Typically a mold swab will run $175 per sample (or $125 per sample when done with another inspection service we offer like home inspection, wood insect inspection, water test, etc). An air quality test runs $450 for 3 samples (2 indoor and 1 outdoor sample). Additional samples cost $100 each. These charges include a detailed report from our lab. You can click to View a Sample Mold Report.
How Can I Prevent Mold?
The best way to prevent mold from spreading or occurring in the first place is to address any water issues you might have with your home. Here are some tips:
- Keep the humidity in your home below 60. Get a dehumidifier to help with humidity issues.
- If you have leaking pipes or faucets, make sure to make timely repairs.
- Pay attention to water stains on your ceiling and act quickly to identify the water issue whether it’s plumbing or a leaky roof.
- Turn on exhaust fans when you are cooking and bathing.
- Keep your gutters clear and make sure water is draining away from your home.
If your basement gets water during storms, if you have a leaky pipe, or if you have humidity or moisture in your basement then these are all situations that need to be remedied.
When Should I Have a Mold Test?
Anytime you have a mold concern and want to be proactive about it, get a mold test. Ask yourself:
- Have you seen any visible mold or moisture issues?
- Have you had recent renovations that could have spread spores?
- Are there any areas of your home that smell musty or feel especially humid?
- Has your home ever had water leaks, water damage, or flooding?
- Are you experiencing any health symptoms that could be attributed to mold and want to rule that out?
Contact ARTI Home Inspections for a mold test today!
