Mold inspections help identify and address problems with indoor air quality. Inspectors can also recommend steps to prevent future mold growth.
You can prepare for a mold inspection by closing all doors and windows. You should also avoid vacuuming, dusting or heavy cleaning for two days before your appointment. Visit https://acemoldspecialist.com/ to learn more.
Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in damp and humid environments. It releases microscopic spores into the air that can easily land on surfaces inside a home or commercial property and begin to grow if conditions are right. Unchecked, mold growth can cause structural damage and trigger health problems in sensitive individuals. Mold testing is outside of InterNACHI’s residential Standards of Practice, but some inspectors choose to get trained in mold inspection and offer this valuable – and sometimes life-saving – service.
A mold inspection is typically done by an experienced inspector who can use their knowledge of the science of mold and its growth patterns to evaluate a property for a potential problem. They will look for certain clues, such as a musty smell or visible signs of mold, in order to determine whether they need to sample the area.
They will also use moisture meters to test surfaces for excessive moisture and a thermal imaging camera to detect damp and wet areas that may not be readily apparent. These tools will help the inspector assess how far the mold has spread from its source and recommend the most appropriate sampling strategy.
Before conducting the visual inspection, the inspector will inform occupants of the property that they will be examining it for possible signs of mold. They will ask occupants to clear access and move any items that may obstruct their inspection. They will also advise occupants not to clean or use any cleaning chemicals on the day of the inspection as these can mask or alter the results.
After the initial visual inspection, the inspector will then focus on sampling and evaluating the results. They will choose between two standard categories of testing; non-viable or viable. Viable sampling will culture the samples to identify both live and dead spores, but it takes longer than non-viable sampling.
Other tools the inspector may use include a hygrometer to measure the humidity level, a borescope to visualize suspected leaks and problems inside plumbing pipes, a boroscope to inspect electrical boxes, and a rotameter to determine vapour pressure levels which can indicate the presence of moisture.
Moisture Assessment
Molds thrive in areas that are damp or wet, so the key to finding and remediating a mold problem is identifying existing or potential moisture problems. This can be done by careful detailed visual inspection and recognition of moldy odors. Many companies that provide water damage inspection services are familiar with looking for moisture problems and some are trained to recognize conditions conducive to mold growth.
In addition to the spores in air, some molds grow on surfaces such as drywall, wood and carpeting. Moisture is required for these surfaces to grow, but it is not always easy to find and identify because these areas often show few external signs of moisture problems. Generally, areas that are prone to wetness such as basements, laundry rooms and bathrooms need regular inspection.
A moisture meter is a basic tool used to locate areas of wet or moist material in walls, ceilings and floors. These meters are available in invasive and non-invasive models and can be used to check for hidden moisture sources such as plumbing leaks.
Mold growth is accelerated by high humidity levels. A hygrometer can be useful in checking the relative humidity of a building or room, but it cannot directly identify the presence of mold.
The use of a thermal imaging (IR) camera can help spot suspected moisture intrusion that is not visible to the naked eye or with a moisture meter. These cameras allow a non-invasive visual examination of the interiors of plumbing pipes and structural components such as walls without opening them. A borescope can also be used to visually inspect plumbing pipes and other structural components through an opening in the component.
Most mold test kits involve collecting a sample of air or surface material, and then sending it to a lab for testing. There are a number of different tests that can be performed, but all are designed to identify the presence of certain types of mold spores. However, these tests can only identify a portion of the live molds in the sample, and they tend to miss or undercount those that are not alive or do not grow well on the nutrients used to incubate the sample.
Air Sampling
If the inspector suspects a problem, air samples will be taken to determine the type and concentration of mold spores in the area. These samples can be taken indoors or outdoors and are sent into a lab for analysis. The results help the inspector decide on a course of action to take. Depending on the findings the inspector may recommend mold remediation or preventative measures and may also suggest the use of a humidity meter to check for moisture in the building materials.
The first step in taking an air sample is to close all doors and windows, except for those used for normal entry and exit. This helps stabilize indoor conditions and increases the reproducibility of the test results. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers should be turned off for 24 hours before the test to avoid the introduction of moisture which can interfere with spore counts.
Once all doors and windows are closed, the inspector uses a portable air pump to draw a sample from the space in question. The pump draws air into a “spore trap” which is attached to a cassette that contains a slide covered with adhesive. Both viable and non-viable spores stick to the adhesive and are then read under a microscope in a laboratory. The information obtained from these tests can indicate whether the spores are from mold, bacteria or fungus and may indicate what species of mold spores are present in the air and in what quantities.
An outdoor air sample is also taken to serve as a control for the indoor air test. The outdoor sample provides a reference for what the level of spores should be in the home, and if the indoor spore count is much higher or different from the outside, this indicates there may be a problem with the indoor air quality.
Surface sampling is also done, but this method does not detect hidden mold growth and is very invasive. Bulk sampling, which involves taking samples of material such as drywall or insulation and analyzing them for the presence of mold, is very accurate but can be expensive.
Detailed Report
A mold inspection company should provide clear, detailed reports on their findings. This can help you understand what is being detected and how serious it is. You should also be able to tell which areas have moisture problems and what the cause of the problem is.
An inspector will also take surface samples to determine the types of spores present on the property’s surfaces. These swab samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis. Once the results are available, your inspector will discuss them with you and recommend any further testing or remediation steps.
Mold spores can be difficult to see with the naked eye. The swab samples provide the inspector with a more detailed understanding of which spores are on the property and at what levels they may be present.
Air sampling is another important component of a mold inspection. This involves a pump that draws air into a special cassette, which contains a slide with adhesive on it. Both viable and non-viable spores stick to the slides, which are then sent to a laboratory for analysis. The spores are read under a microscope and the type of spores and their quantities are identified.
Surface sampling can be performed in addition to or instead of air sampling. The inspector will swab surfaces in areas where visual examination of the building yields moisture intrusion, water damage, apparent mold growth, musty odors or conditions conducive to mold growth.
Depending on the situation, the inspector will recommend a specific course of action. This could include a professional mold remediation service or it may suggest that the home owner perform certain tasks to eliminate any existing mold and prevent future growth.
The best way to prevent a mold infestation is to stop the problem at its source. If you suspect a leak or have other signs of moisture in the house, fix them as soon as possible and ensure the home is properly ventilated. This will help keep the indoor humidity low, which will also reduce the likelihood of condensation and mold. If a mold colony has already formed, prompt detection and removal can prevent long-term damage to the structure and health issues for people living in the home.