Total Care Home Inspections
216-246-8787
Cleveland, Ohio
Home Inspections - Commercial Inspections
Mold Inspections - Mold Testing - Radon Testing - Thermal Imaging - New Construction Inspections
 Certified Home Inspectors - Certified Commercial Property Inspectors

 

Mold Testing

Here are a few things you needs to know about mold testing.

When a home inspector comes to your house they can only tell you that it is suspected mold or what it may be. The only real way to identify that it is mold is to perform mold testing. The different types of mold testing are:

  • Swab testing: A swab test is used for surface mold testing. The samples are collected by wiping a measured area by utilizing a sterilized swab. The swab is then placed in a seal tight tube and transported to the lab.

  • Tape Lift: A tape lift is used for surface sampling by stripping the suspect area surface with clear tape. The sample is then tape to a microscope slide and then placed in a seal tight container and transported to the lab.

  • Bulk Testing: Bulk samples are collected from visible moldy surfaces by cutting materials with a clean tool into a clean plastic bag.

  • Air Sampling: Air sampling should be performed on each floor and one to be completed outside.

The equiptment below is some what a professional mold tester will use.

Mold Testing Equiptment

Mold Testing Air-O-CellMold Testing Air-O-Cell test tubeCulture Swabs

For more information on mold testing call Total Care Home Inspections at 216-246-8787.

There are home test kits for mold but you need to be very carefull on how you use them. These kits can be purchased at most hardware and grocery stores. The best way is to have a professional tester come to you home. Do-it-yourself test will indicate the presence of molds within 48 hours. Lab analysis identifies the type of mold present. To help detect the possibility of mold, do you notice any of the following?

  • Discoloration or black mold on baseboards, wallboards, or wallpaper.
  • Cracks in shower tile, lack of caulking, loose toilet seal, leaks under sink
  • Carpet and padding in direct contact with concrete slab
  • Poorly maintained or dirty air conditioning/heating vents and filters
  • Damp basement or crawl space
  • Water penetration (water marks on walls, mold spots on walls)
  • Musty/ moldy odor

If you answered YES to any of the above questions, then you could be EXPOSED TO TOXIC BLACK MOLD!

Mold Can Be Found In Many Areas Of Your Home

  • Attic
  • Living Rooms
  • Bathrooms
  • (HVAC) Ventilation System
  • Bedrooms
  • Kitchens
  • Basements
  • Any Moist Areas
  • Carpets
  • Garage

Stachybotrys produces a mycotoxin that causes human mycotoxicosis.

This type of mold is thought to be a possible cause of the sick building syndrome. Children's exposure to Stachybotrys spores are thought most likely to cause pulmonary hemosiderosis (bleeding in the lungs). The following is a list of symptoms associated with exposure to Stachybotrys mold spores:
  1. Respiratory problems, such as wheezing, and difficulty in breathing
  2. Nasal and sinus congestion
  3. Eyes-burning, watery, reddened, blurry vision, light sensitivity
  4. Dry, hacking cough
  5. Sore throat
  6. Nose and throat irritation
  7. Shortness of breath
  8. Chronic fatigue
  9. Skin irritation
  10. Central nervous system problems (constant headaches, memory problems, and mood changes)
  11. Aches and pains
  12. Possible fever
  13. Diarrhea
  14. Possible hemosiderosis
  15. Immune suppression

Dont take chances. If you smell or see any type of mold have you home tested.

Home Mold Test Kit