Protect your home & health from damaging infestations
Since 1998, Mold Solutions & Inspections have been testing homes and commercial buildings in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware with our main objective always being focused on getting you a clearer picture of any potential unforeseen issues. We have performed thousands of mold inspections for general indoor air quality concerns, real estate purchases and court involved lawsuits with precision and detail that is second to none.
Our comprehensive testing methods allow us to draft safe and reliable remediation scopes if the presence of mold is discovered, all the while keeping the initial cost of said inspection affordable for any budget. Each of our inspectors are thoroughly trained and certified to perform any mold test, and can also assist you in identifying potential sources of moisture which could be the root cause of the growth. And since we are locally owned and operated, our number one priority is YOU. We are not a franchise in the pocket of the insurance company, nor are we aligned with any adjustment firm or realtor. Delivering you an unbiased comprehensive report is our promise, and the reason our level of integrity and professionalism is unmatched in the market.
Types of Inspections
Understanding the various types of inspections when dealing with mold will better assist you in coming to a decision on not only which type of inspection to chose, but also the limitations of each that could effect the results. As of today, there aren’t any protocol’s for contractors to follow when doing a Mold Inspection. This is the reason that too many companies in this business will treat a mold inspection more like a paycheck than a service to identify whether or not a home or business has mold growth. So let’s look into some various types of mold inspection services and show their pros and cons.
Air Sampling
Air Sampling is the use of a Bio-Pump which employs forced air to impact spores onto a collection media or cassette. Samples are generally best taken if visual, non-invasive examination reveals apparent mold growth or conditions that could lead to growth, such as moisture intrusion or water damage. Samples are laboratory tested and analyzed and will identify if mold is present, the type of mold and the spore counts against a control. A control is an outdoor sample taken at the inspection to measure the interior air against the outdoor air as a comparison.
Pros
- Collection Medias or Cassettes are laboratory tested from accredited firms
- High level of accuracy and detailed mold reports.
- Fairly inexpensive against other forms of mold tests.
Cons
- Limited range or square foot coverage.
- Multiple samples are needed for detailed analysis.
- Limited to only collecting spores to which are airborne.
Surface Sampling
Surface sampling is a method of sampling a suspect area directly and then submitting that sample to a laboratory for results. Is can determine and identify molds actually growing on the surface sampled, as opposed to the mere presence of mold spores.
Pros
- Great for sampling visible mold growth
- Can reveal spores prior to becoming airborne.
- Fairly inexpensive.
Cons
- Only for visible suspect areas
- Can not detect mold behind walls
Bacterial Swab Analysis
Bacterial Swabs are similar in procedure to other swab testings, but the swab itself isn’t sent to a lab. Rather, a handheld device gives an immediate reading once the swab is placed into the unit after the suspect area has been lifted. This is a great tool for food industry to insure surfaces being used on a daily basis are free from bacteria and employees are keeping up with their industry standard responsibilities.
Pros
- Immediate Results
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Unable to Identify Molds
- Unable to Separate Mold From Bacteria
- No Lab Results
ERMI Testing
This test involves the analysis of a single sample of dust from a home. The sample is analyzed using mold-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (MSQPCR), a highly specific DNA- based method for quantifying mold species. A simple algorithm is used to calculate a ratio of water damage-related species to common indoor molds and the resulting score is called the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index or ERMI. The ERMI value is typically between -10 and 20.
Pros
- Accuracy of analysis for the specific location taken.
- Cost effective.
Cons
- Doesn’t work well in new construction
- Results can be skewed by “outside” dust/dirt in home
- May miss potentially hidden issues behind walls
- Retesting may take 4 to 6 weeks
Cavity Sampling
This method is the same as air sampling, but it used to test behind walls or in cavities. A hose is attached directly to the cassette and then inserted into the wall or cavity for direct area testing.
Pros
- Samples collected allow to see if there is any potential growth in an unfrozen area.
- Will determine if mold exists behind a wall where regular air testing might not be able to trap.
Cons
- Holes made large enough for the hose to fit into will have to be later repaired by a third party company.
Petri/Test Plates
When exposed or opened, gravity will allow airborne mold spores to settle on the mold food placed on the plate. The plates are then closed and incubated from 3 to 7 days to see the mold rate and then analyzed.
Pros
- Gives accurate details of the specific mold grown with the plate
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Inaccurate for cultivation of certain molds due to time lapses.
- Can be cross-contaminated if used incorrectly
- Placement can be off and thusly giving you inaccurate results.
Mold Dogs
Pros
- Can smell both live and dormant molds
- Able to locate sources within their reach.
Cons
- Can only detect a handful of molds.
- Not able to differentiate levels of molds.
- Harmful to the health of the dog itself.
- Inhumane and not a choice for most mold companies.
Why Choose Us
Frequently Asked Question
This will depend on the size of your home, the total amount of areas needed to be sampled, and what type of inspection you need. Basic inspections can range from $400 to $600, whereas comprehensive testing for large homes or buildings could cost significantly more.
The most common reasons to get a mold test is if you have had water damage, humidity issues, are suffering from allergy like symptoms, had mold remediation completed to ensure its effectiveness, or when you are purchasing a new home.
Some symptoms of mold exposure are headaches, sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, cough and postnasal drip, itchy eyes, nose and throat, watery eyes, and dry, scaly skin. More serious side effects are coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and asthma flare-ups.
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