Procedures for Testing Mold
Testing for mold in the home can be vital if allergies are an issue. Mold testing can also be vital when inspecting a home for a purchase. The presence of mold can be a costly repair and an even more costly allergen. Testing for mold can prevent health and repair issues and give results within a few minutes to a few days.
Children and adults with asthma can suffer severe complications when mold is present in the air, walls and carpets. In addition to the allergy issues, mold can also cause hidden problems in the walls and carpet that may become costly if they are ignored. There are several affordable methods that can be used to test for mold and help prevent mold-related complications.
Lift Tape Sampling
Possibly one of the quicker methods of mold testing is lift tape sampling. This method takes only a few minutes and is done in several locations throughout the house or building. The tape is placed on carpet, furniture and walls then lifted slowly. It is then sent to labs for mold analysis. Results can be returned within a few days. Lift tape sampling costs between $75 and $200, depending on the size of the home or building being tested.
Air Sampling Tests
Devices called air sampling cassettes are used to record and determine the amount of mold in the air, within a specific radius. Particles are collected on the air sampling cassette and sent to a lab. A lab determines if the particles present are, in fact, mold. The results are sent back to either the company that performed the air sampling or directly to the owners of the home or business.
Do-it-yourself Kits
A popular method of testing for mold is to use a do-it-yourself kit. These kits can be purchased at most hardware and home improvement stores for between $10 and $20. These kits are easy to use and come with everything you will need to test for mold in your home or business. Swabs are used to obtain samples from different household surfaces. Enclosed chemicals are used to test the samples for mold. Results are given quickly, without sending samples to a lab for research.