What is a mold inspection, what is mold testing, what is the difference?
What is a mold inspection?
The dictionary term of inspection means "the act of inspecting or viewing, especially carefully or critically; official viewing or examination.". In the case of a mold inspection, generally we are looking for discolorations resembling molds and the possible causes for such. Mold Inspections can be rather presumptuous at times if visible discolorations resembling mold(s) are found without the additional cost of an laboratory mold analysis (mold testing - see below).
Our mold inspection, in a non-invasive fashion, consists of the following:
A visual inspection for signs of discolorations resembling mold(s)
A visual inspection for current moisture problems affecting the interior at the time of inspection, such as a leaky roof or plumbing, high humidity levels and etc.
A visual inspection for potential moisture issues that could affect the interior at some time in the future such as improper exterior grading that has not caused moisture issues in the interior of a building at the time of inspection, but could potentially lead to problems in the future.
If evidence of discolorations resembling mold(s) are found during the inspection, an action plan for mold testing is drawn up.
What is mold testing?
The dictionary term of "testing" means "to examine a small amount of water, soil, air, etc., in order to see if its quality is good, if it contains a dangerous substance, etc."
Since there is no professional, legitimate way to visually examine a substance through the naked eye to positively determine if it is mold, what type of mold it is, the extent of such or what it potentially could do to someone's health; mold testing is utilized and submitted to an accredited laboratory for analysis to determine:
what type of molds were found,
if the interior tests performed are laboratory classified as elevated or unusual mold level(s) as compared to the base sample (air sample testing only)
what elevated interior mold levels could potentially do to ones health and
the extent of mold depending on the amount and types of tests agreed upon.
In the case of mold testing, we are confirming or disaffirming the presence of mold(s) at a location or section of the building through laboratory analysis. This can be of great cost benefit when there is no visible evidence of moisture problems or abnormal discolorations within a building as well a post remediation testing.
What mold testing does not cover
Mold testing does not predict potential health issues or assess/analyze classifications of mold spore counts solely in regards to outside mold levels. If you suspect an issue with everyday exterior mold levels and how they could affect your health, please consult with a licensed doctor.
Mold testing does not predict potential health issues that may be caused by laboratory classified, non-elevated (as compared to the base air sample) mold levels. If you suspect an issue with non elevated interior mold levels and how they could affect your health, please consult with a licensed doctor.
Mold testing generally does not cover enclosed areas such as attics, wall cavities, enclosed ceilings and etc unless invasive testing is specifically requested and contracted by you, the Client..
What is the difference? What's Best For Me?
Like their names, a mold inspection and mold testing are uniquely distinct and one should not be confused as the other.
Ideally, a visual mold inspection and mold testing should be performed to access any potential or suspected mold condition. Unfortunately, both of these services combined are cost prohibitive to many homeowners and some businesses especially if they are unsure if there is a mold issue present in the first place. About 65% of our calls are from building owners who have not seen or smelled any signs of mold or water infiltration. Many in this group call because they or someone who co inhabits the building have been experiencing some unusual health symptoms, they just don't feel right, worker or tenant complaints, potential liability issues and etc. So in this case, if a mold inspection were to be performed, we would be visibly searching for a problem before a problem has even been affirmed to exist in the eyes of many of our Clients. If our company was unyielding in making a mold investigation affordable by offering mold inspections and mold testing separately, most of that 65% would not pursue an investigation in the first place, potentially jeopardizing the health of all who inhabit the building.
This is why we offer air sample testing as a first-line screening tool that is used to obtain preliminary information on whether a mold problem may exist and further investigation is warranted.
Again, cost is a factor for many with mold testing alone. Ideally the entire building should be tested but once again costs and indecision of if a problem even exists play a role in what the Client chooses. Therefore, in most cases the Client usually chooses the path of least financial resistance and restricts the amount of tests performed. This greatly reduces the ability to assess the building as a whole, rendering the mold testing assessment incomplete. Once again, we are presented with the situation of many would not pursue any investigation in the first place, potentially jeopardizing the health of all who inhabit the building.
Even when a building owner sees discolorations resembling mold(s) on a basement wall they tend to be focused solely on the wall and the basement area and not how far the mold spores have potentially traveled to other areas of the building. Yes, it is relatively easy to predict that a mold problem exists at the discolored wall and it should be repaired. On the other hand, what is not as apparent is the fact that mold spores are easily picked up via natural and induced (HVAC, occupant movement, picked up on shoes & clothing and being transported to other areas and etc) interior air currents that are present in all buildings and travel throughout. If the entire building is not tested, undetected molds on other floors will be free to germinate if they have not done so already and produce health problems. This will limit the proper assessment of the situation rendering remediation efforts to fix the problem, incomplete. Once, again cost appears to be a determining factor on what the Client chooses to address.
In conclusion, we will recommend the proper method to assess any potential mold issue. It is up to you, the Client to trust our expertise and allow us to do a thorough investigation.
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