What kind of mold is in my house? Is it Toxic Mold?
Mold cannot be identified by sight and there are thousands of species of mold. My job is the
first step, which is to collect samples and have them analyzed by a laboratory, then the lab
can let you and your adjuster know if there is any cause for concern.
How did the mold get into my house?
Mold is everywhere and isn't uncommon to find in a home. It can enter the house through ope
doorways, windows, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Spores in the air
outside attach themselves to people and animals, bringing mold indoors. Once the spores are
inside and land on places where there is excessive moisture, the will grow.
Where does mold grow?
Mold will grow in places where any water leakage may have occurred, such as roofs, pipes,
walls, plant pots, condensation, windows, or where there has been flood damage. Many
building materials encourage mold growth once they gets wet. Wet cellulose materials, like
paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood and wood products, water based
glue, are all conducive to mold growth. Many building materials can support mold growth once
water has been introduced.
How can I tell if there is mold in my home?
Some mold problems are obvious..meaning you will see it growing. You can also look for
areas that are consistently wet, or have been wet due to flooding, leaky plumbing, or roofing
and areas of high humidity (bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens).
How can I stop mold from growing in my home?
How is mold measured? How do we test for mold?
There are 4 methods that we us to test for mold:
What types of mold inspections are there?
There are 3 basic services we provide for mold sampling. In all these services, we collect
samples according to established protocols. We charge a lab analysis fee for each sample
taken.
How much does it cost?
Prices vary depending on the type of inspection chosen and if it combined with a home
inspection. Stand alone prices for the above inspections including two air samples or two tape
lifts or two swab samples.
offer to purchase, let us know when you call to schedule your inspection. We can save you
money!
If I need more than two samples, how much does that cost?
Discounts for 2 or more additional samples (if necessary) will apply as long as the samples
are taken during the same visit.
Are you an Indoor Air Quality Technician?
Yes, I am an inspector trained in proper mold sample collection and trained as an Indoor Air
Quality Technician with Environmental Solutions Association.
What will you be doing in my home?
I will perform a visual assessment in all readily accessible area(s) of your home to determine
the presence of microbial problems and collect appropriate samples.
How long before we find out the results of your testing?
We can overnight your samples to the lab where a Mold Analyst will review them. One the
analysis is finished, the Laboratory will issue their report directly to me. The report will identify
types and levels of mold, a description of each mold discovered and a summary of the
findings. The turn-around time is typically 7 to 10 days. Faster results can be achieved for
additional expediting fees.
I have been sick for the past year, is it caused by mold?
Excessive mold exposure has many symptoms. Allergic reactions are the most common. Any
health related issues should be addressed with the proper professional; in this case, your
doctor.
Where can I get more information?
If you would like more information or to schedule your test, call 920-451-4646.
Mold cannot be identified by sight and there are thousands of species of mold. My job is the
first step, which is to collect samples and have them analyzed by a laboratory, then the lab
can let you and your adjuster know if there is any cause for concern.
How did the mold get into my house?
Mold is everywhere and isn't uncommon to find in a home. It can enter the house through ope
doorways, windows, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Spores in the air
outside attach themselves to people and animals, bringing mold indoors. Once the spores are
inside and land on places where there is excessive moisture, the will grow.
Where does mold grow?
Mold will grow in places where any water leakage may have occurred, such as roofs, pipes,
walls, plant pots, condensation, windows, or where there has been flood damage. Many
building materials encourage mold growth once they gets wet. Wet cellulose materials, like
paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood and wood products, water based
glue, are all conducive to mold growth. Many building materials can support mold growth once
water has been introduced.
How can I tell if there is mold in my home?
Some mold problems are obvious..meaning you will see it growing. You can also look for
areas that are consistently wet, or have been wet due to flooding, leaky plumbing, or roofing
and areas of high humidity (bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens).
How can I stop mold from growing in my home?
- Look for visible signs of mold growth and signs of excessive moisture or water damage
(water leaks, standing water, water stains, and condensation problems). The earlier the
problem is detected, the better. Mold activity can begin as soon as 24 hours after a
water loss. - Search areas with noticeable moldy or musty odors.
- Search behind and underneath materials (carpet and padding, wallpaper, vinyl flooring,
sink cabinets), furniture, pictures, stored items (especially things near outside walls or
on cold floors) - Check around your furnace for standing or stagnant water. Keep the unit serviced
including regular cleaning of ducts and filters. - Keep the relative humidity levels in your home below 65%
How is mold measured? How do we test for mold?
There are 4 methods that we us to test for mold:
- Air Sampling - Air samples are taken when any "red flag" conditions have been
observed. Air sampling always includes inside and outside samples. The the amounts
of mold inside the home are higher than outside, it is an indication of a potential
problem. Air samples are taken by pulling air through a collection device with an air
pump. The air passes over a slide which catches mold spores to be counted and
identified. - Swap Sampling - Where there is visible mold or stains, a swab is used to collect a
sample of the mold. It is moistened with a preservative and then sent to the lab for
analysis. - Tape Lifts - Similar to swab sampling. If the surface is smooth, a flexible slide is used
to collect a sample of the mold and is sent to the lab for analysis - Carpet Sampling (the best method) - A carpet tends to contain a history of what has
been in the air. If the carpet is at least 6 months old, a dust sample is collected and
sent to the lab for analysis. The lab performs a DNA analysis and determines the
presence of 36 species of molds which are divided into two groups. For more
information follow this link to the approved EPA Environmental Relative Moldiness
Index (ERMI) testing procedure.
What types of mold inspections are there?
There are 3 basic services we provide for mold sampling. In all these services, we collect
samples according to established protocols. We charge a lab analysis fee for each sample
taken.
- Limited Sampling - The purpose of limited mold sampling is to detect the presence of
microbial contamination in client defined areas of the property. This level of service
consists of taking appropriate samples in specified locations. This service provides a
fast, economical method to determine if and what types of mold are in defined affected
area. The limitations of this service are that other sources of mold in the home may go
undetected. Prices start at $199 for an indoor-outdoor comparison. If you would like
additional indoor samples, they are available at $65 each. - Mold Screen - The purpose of the Mold Screen is a visual assessment of the entire
house, identification of any "red flags" for mold, and limited sampling for mold. If red
flags" are found in multiple areas, the client will be advised and offered the opportunity
to have additional sampling performed in any/all identified areas and also the chance
to upgrade to a Mold Survey. The mold screen is usually performed along with a
normal home inspection. The value of this service is that all "red flags" are identified. It
is limited since complete sampling and further field assessment are required to write
remediation specifications for the site. Prices start at $449 for a stand alone inspection.
If this is combined with a home inspection the additional cost above the quoted home
inspection fee will be $299 - Mold Survey - The purpose of the Mold Survey is to detect the presence of a
microbial problem in all readily accessible areas of the property following prescribed
protocols, and collect appropriate data elements to enable remediation specifications
to be produced. The value of this service is that it identifies, determines cause, and
provides corrective measures for all mold sources discovered in the entire house. A
limitation is that it is non-intrusive and hidden areas for mold may go undetected.
Prices start at $799.
How much does it cost?
Prices vary depending on the type of inspection chosen and if it combined with a home
inspection. Stand alone prices for the above inspections including two air samples or two tape
lifts or two swab samples.
- Limited Sampling starts at $199
- Mold Screen starts at $449 (discounts apply if purchased with a home inspection)
- Mold Survey starts at $799
offer to purchase, let us know when you call to schedule your inspection. We can save you
money!
If I need more than two samples, how much does that cost?
Discounts for 2 or more additional samples (if necessary) will apply as long as the samples
are taken during the same visit.
Are you an Indoor Air Quality Technician?
Yes, I am an inspector trained in proper mold sample collection and trained as an Indoor Air
Quality Technician with Environmental Solutions Association.
What will you be doing in my home?
I will perform a visual assessment in all readily accessible area(s) of your home to determine
the presence of microbial problems and collect appropriate samples.
How long before we find out the results of your testing?
We can overnight your samples to the lab where a Mold Analyst will review them. One the
analysis is finished, the Laboratory will issue their report directly to me. The report will identify
types and levels of mold, a description of each mold discovered and a summary of the
findings. The turn-around time is typically 7 to 10 days. Faster results can be achieved for
additional expediting fees.
I have been sick for the past year, is it caused by mold?
Excessive mold exposure has many symptoms. Allergic reactions are the most common. Any
health related issues should be addressed with the proper professional; in this case, your
doctor.
Where can I get more information?
If you would like more information or to schedule your test, call 920-451-4646.
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Certified Home Inspector
B.S. Mechanical Engineering
WI License #1955-106
B.S. Mechanical Engineering
WI License #1955-106
| Updated: 1/21/08 |
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