A professional mold inspector will perform a visual inspection, searching for spots and odors. They will also search for zones with high moisture levels.
Air testing helps identify the presence of harmful mycotoxins, which can cause respiratory problems. These tests are usually an add-on to swab samples. Avoid cleaning or using disinfectant chemicals for the best results for 48 hours before the inspection. Contact Mold Inspection Staten Island now!
When mold spores come into contact with water, they can multiply quickly and begin spreading. This can damage the structure of your property and cause health problems for occupants. A mold inspection can identify the type of mold and where it is located and help you plan for remediation.
A professional inspector will conduct a visual examination of your property. They will look for obvious signs of moisture and mold, such as discoloration and water stains. They will also check the exterior of your home or building to see if any water is coming in from the ground or through the roof.
The inspector will talk with the building’s occupants to gather information about any past leaks, flooding, or moisture problems. They may also ask about the occupants’ health and whether they have any allergies or other issues that could be caused by mold.
If you are selling a property, ordering a mold inspection before closing is a good idea. This is a good time to inspect the entire property, including hard-to-reach areas like behind walls and in attics. You will need to provide clear access for the inspector and remove any furniture or other items that might block their path.
An experienced inspector will use tools to get a better view of hidden areas, such as removing grates from HVAC vents. They will also take air samples and swab samples to determine the presence of specific types of mold spores.
Some of the most dangerous types of mold include chaetomium and cladosporium. Both of these are commonly found in damp basements and on HVAC systems, and they can wreak havoc on the human body, causing everything from skin infections to brain abscesses. Fusarium, another dangerous mold, is typically found in wet areas and grows rapidly. It can also cause a wide range of medical issues, from nail fungus to corneal and ear infections.
Other types of mold, such as penicillium, produce the antibiotic penicillin. This is a common mold that often grows on the surface of walls and in carpeting. However, it can also grow on wood surfaces and in the air.
Collecting Samples
When an inspector finds mold growth, he or she must take samples to determine what type of fungus is growing and its relative population. These samples may be taken from a variety of surfaces and building materials, including but not limited to, air, walls, floors, carpeting, and furnishings.
The most common sampling method involves swabbing. This uses a swab that contains a liquid preservative. A small plastic tube is attached to the swab, and the cap is removed so that the swab can be pressed against the surface to be sampled. The swab is then inserted back into the tube and the cap is secured. A unique sample number is assigned to each swab and listed on a chain-of-custody form.
Another popular sample is a tape sample, which is taken by pressing standard clear adhesive tape against the suspected area of mold growth. The advantage of this approach is that it is typically non-destructive and does not require direct contact or disturbance of the suspected spore source. However, it may miss some light-colored and highly airborne genera that do not settle onto flat surfaces or swab well, such as Penicillium and Aspergillus.
Other types of sampling include a surface sample, an ambient air sample and a wall cavity sample. These are recommended and often necessary for a complete picture of the potential mold contamination.
Air samples are helpful in determining how widespread the contamination is by measuring the level of mold spores in the surrounding air. They are also useful in determining whether long chains of spores are intact, which can indicate that there is a more substantial mold problem hidden elsewhere in the house that is not detected with other tests or visual examination.
Tape and swab samples are often stained to make the spores easier to identify under a microscope. Stain testing is usually an additional fee on top of the cost of the original inspection. Air samples are also sometimes stained for viability testing, which is a process that entails scraping a small sample of the suspect material into a Petri dish and adding nutrients to see how quickly the fungi will grow.
Testing the Samples
Despite popular misconceptions, mold testing is not a magic bullet. It’s only one part of a comprehensive approach to investigate occupant health complaints and determine the source of the mold.
Mold spores are found in the air, in settled dust, and on surfaces of building materials and furnishings. A variety of testing methods can find these particles, but each has its limitations and weaknesses.
Many testing methods can only identify a portion of the live (viable) molds in a sample by growing them in the lab. This method gives only a snapshot estimate of the total amount of molds in the sampled environment since other types not present at the time and location or those that don’t grow well on the culture medium used to incubate them are not “seen”.
Some testing can give a much better description of the total number of living spores in a sample by using a different type of analysis. This method uses a standardized set of nutrients to incubate the samples, allowing for a more accurate identification of the organisms present. However, these tests can also miss or underestimate the number of nonliving spores in the sample.
Surface sampling is another common type of test. A swab is inserted into a plastic tube container that contains a preservative. Any spores that come into contact with the swab tip are transferred to the preservative and then sealed in the tube for direct mailing to a laboratory for analysis.
Other surface tests use an ATP pen that can detect the presence of microbial life in just a few seconds. It is a quick and inexpensive way to check for cleanliness after formal mold remediation or to see if isolated water stains are actually contaminated with mold.
Before the inspection, the property owner should prepare the space to be tested by removing items that may block access to areas where a mold sample will be taken. Occupants should be notified that a mold sample will be taken and should allow the inspector unrestricted access to their homes. The property owner should also provide clear access to all areas of the home, including attics and basements, by removing furniture and clutter.
Providing a Report
Mold can cause serious damage to structures and equipment and health issues for occupants. Early detection and remediation can prevent property loss, save health care costs, and help to retain home values over time.
Mold inspections typically include a visual examination of the property to look for areas where moisture can accumulate and encourage mold growth. In some cases, air or surface samples may be collected. These samples are then sent to an accredited laboratory for analysis. Once the results are available, the inspector will provide the property owner with a comprehensive report that includes recommendations for mold remediation and prevention.
The scope of a mold inspection can vary, depending on the needs of the client and the inspector. For example, a property owner might request that the inspection only cover the main building and attached parking structure. This would exclude detached buildings, such as garages or sheds, which might contain mold. Similarly, the scope of an inspection could be restricted to specific areas, such as basements or attics, that are more likely to have problems with mold.
A thorough mold inspection is an essential part of a home or commercial property management plan. A thorough inspection should also identify the source of the problem, such as a leak or other moisture issue. The inspection should also address how the mold is being remediated and how the problem will be monitored after the fact to ensure that it does not recur.
Having the right information can help you to take the proper steps to protect your family or employees from the risks of mold exposure. When you are considering a mold inspection, find an experienced professional with specialized training and the appropriate certifications. They should follow industry best practices and IICRC-S520 Mold Standards when performing a mold inspection.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has prepared this information to explain why it usually does not recommend mold testing in many situations, especially as the first response to an indoor air quality concern. MDH recommends careful detailed visual inspection and recognition of moldy odors as the preferred methods to find problems that need correction.