Take a Look at a Sample Report
Get an idea of the format and items that would be listed under a Mold & Moisture Testing Report.
Mold Testing
Detect The Presence of Mold Growth In Your Home
Mold is a type of fungus that exist almost everywhere. It will grow in places with a lot of moisture. Mold growing in your home is an indication that there is a water or moisture issue. It will be best to fix the cause of mold and then get a mold sample test to detect if there is mold growth. At NextDay Inspect®, we test for these mold types. The most common types of indoor mold types are Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus.
Making Sure Your Mold Testing Is Done Correctly
To ensure your mold test is accurate, there are things you need to prepare and keep an eye out for
1) Air or Swab Sample
To ensure that your home is safe from mold, we provide both air and swab samples. If you see any black spots that you think may be mold, then a swap sample would be the best choice. If you think an area has a high level of mold spores, then using air samples will help determine if that area has enough mold to encourage growth.
2) High Moisture Areas are Susceptible
Mold is attracted to moist environments, like the basement and bathrooms. This means they are more likely to grow in these areas.
3) For Interior Samples, Keep Closed Home Conditions
For maximum accuracy during testing, it is best to keep the indoor environment within usual indoor conditions. The reading will be tempered if windows and door are open during the mold testing.
4) One Sample Outside, One Sample Inside
To determine if you have enough mold spores in your property, a sample must be taken outside to compare it against the interior sample. This way, it is possible to determine if there is enough mold for growth on the property.
What Effect Does Mold Have On Our Health?
Mold cannot be seen. It starts with mold spores falling onto a onto a surface and absorbing the moisture in the air. Then it beings to expand and spread itself on the surface. Being exposed to mold environments can present many health issues. Those with allergies or complicated respiratory problems are more vulnerable to mold environments and may have more intense reactions and may. These health effects are:
- Nasal Congestion
- Sinus Congestion
- Coughing
- Respiratory Issues such as difficulty breathing
- Irritation To The Throat, Eyes, and Nose
- Fever
How Do I know If I have mold?
If you have and recently had a water or moisture issue in your home, then it is very likely that you have a mold growth problem. Mold issues can be very costly to fix, especially when it’s discovered too late. If you find mold in your home, it will be best to take care of it as soon as possible. If you suspect that you may have mold growth, then getting a mold sampling test will allow for early detection and prevention of mold growth, saving you a lot of time and money.
Where Can Mold Hide?
1) Behind the Refrigerator
Due to the cooling nature of your refrigerator, atmospheric moisture may condense near it. Checking the space behind the refrigerator is a good place to start when worried about potential mold growth.
2) Behind Drywall
Once you have had a leak, the risk for mold increases, even after the leak is fixed. Areas that had a leaky pipe, or were subject to flooding, can trap the moisture inside and allow mold to grow.
3) Wallboard Around Windows
Windows are common areas in which heat and water can leak into the home. Due to this, the wallboards around windows is a frequent area to prove beneficial for mold growth.
4) Ventilation Ducts
A ventilation duct that is improperly sealed may allow condensation and other vapors to be trapped in these tight spaces. The moisture-rich environment created can provide an excellent place for mold to hide.
5) Under Carpeting
Once flooring has been subjected to a water intrusion, the spaces below your carpeting may retain some of the moisture, allowing mold to grow on the underside of your flooring.
6) Attic Paneling
If you have had a roof leak, the attic can provide a perfect environment in which for mold spores to take hold and grow. Repairing the leak is only the first step in addressing a leaky roof!
Mold Testing
What Our Mold Inspector Uses For Mold Testing
- Air Sample
- Swab Sample
Air Sample
Air samples will be taken in the primary area and any additional area if requested. Laboratory analysis will indicate if there is presence of mold growth and the types and amount of mold spores in the air
Swab Sample
Swab samples can also be taken of visible growth on surfaces. Laboratory analysis will indicate whether or not there is growth is mold, and provide details on the specific type and amount.
What Mold Species Are Found in Mold Testing?
Alternaria
Alternaria is among the most commonly reported airborne spores worldwide. While it is unusual to find in outdoor air, it can grow on wallboard paper backing, wood, or any other material containing cellulose. It also is often found in settled dust, or in the form of settled spores on carpets, drapes, etc. High numbers of Alternaria spores are most commonly found when growing on and in water-intruded building materials, so it may be an indicator of a leak. Alternaria spores are a common cause of extrinsic asthma, and are a common allergen.
Basidiospores
Basidiospores come from mushrooms, and are common to find outside, particularly during the Summer and Fall. However, mushrooms are uncommon to find growing indoors. They have some allergenicity reported, with hay fever and asthma symptoms, as well as interactions with hypersensitivity. Among this group of mushrooms spores is dry rot fungis Serpula and Poria, which are known to be particularly destructive to buildings. Indication of indoors growth of these spores indicates a need for mitigation.
Cercospora
Cercospora spores are common in all outdoor habitats, but are not known to grow indoors. There is no known allergic potential for cercospora.
Chaetomium
If your mold test shows a high level of Chaetomium spores, this indicates that there is a current high-moisture issue taking place in the home. It is unusual for Chaetomium to grow indoors without the material being wetted. These spores can trigger hay fever and asthma type allergies, and their presence is cause to take corrective action.
Cladosporium
Cladosporium spores are the most commonly reported airborne spore type in the world. Indoors, they are often found on wood or wallboard such as window sills. Cladosporium spores are a markedly common allergen source indoors and out, potentially causing hay fever, asthma, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis allergies.
Ganoderma
While it is common for Ganoderma to be everywhere, it grows on hardwood trees, and there are neither any indoor habitats nor any allergic potential noted for this spore type.
Hyphae
Hyphae are common to find in all environs, both indoors and outdoors. These are ‘roots-like’ structures that nearly all fungi produce. There is no known allergic potential for interaction with hyphae.
Penicillium/Aspergillus
These two spores are so similar, that it is not possible to reliably distinguish them from each other. They are commonly found in all locales, and can be found growing on nearly any surface. They are known to have allergenic properties for hay fever, asthma, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
Smuts/Myxomycetes
These are commonly found outside, particularly on logs, grasses, and weeds. However, it is uncommon for smuts or myxomycetes to grow indoors. They can sometimes be found on items brought indoors, but otherwise require lots of water to establish growth inside. They can trigger hay fever and asthma allergies.