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Reading the mold test report
Mold testing is a vital component to ensuring that a residential or commercial property is either mold free or mold infested. Mold tests are especially important during the sale or exchange of property, as most property inspections require full disclosure to potential buyers or future owners.
For property owners, it is important to find an independent home or property inspector who performs independent mold testing. This will prevent a conflict of interest from occurring should mold be discovered, requiring the services of a professional mold remediation company. If the same company performing the remediation has direct influence over the initial and post test results, protection is removed from the property owner.
Mold tests are done in a variety of ways. Property owners should ensure that a proper building investigation is completed during testing. Without proper investigation, results can be convoluted and confusing. If a mold tester does not answer important questions about the proper before collecting data, all of that data cannot be appropriately applied to the situation. Once the investigation is complete and data is collected, all testing should be sent to a reputable lab for results.
Mold growth can occur in a variety of ways. The number one main source of mold growth is a moisture source. The most common moisture issue a property owner may incur is significant water or flood damage. While most water damage is easily observable, sometime leaks and flooding can go undetected for quite some time. A reputable mold inspector should be able to pinpoint the source of moisture even if evidence is not as blatant as a simple flood or leak.
Types of testing that can be done include:
- Air Samples
- Tape Lift/Tape Sliding Samples
- Swab Testing
- Bulk/Contaminated Material Sampling
Each of these samples provide unique perspective on whether or not toxic mold colonies have infested a property. Depending on the type of test, data collected can determine a mold spore count, whether or not mold is being breathed in or not, and whether or not the areas themselves are contaminated.
Mold test reports that provide the best information should identify the dominant particle types from the collected specimens. This includes diagnosing the type of mold spores found as well as its potency. If a proper diagnosis cannot be made due to inadequate data, the report should inform the reader and not hide it.
If mold is found, professional mold removal services are needed to ensure safe and efficient eradication of the toxic fungus. Whether in residential homes, or if commercial mold remediation is needed, reliable testing is key to protecting the structural integrity of the property as well as the health of all inhabitants.