24/7 Emergency Service
When you suspect that you may have a mold issue in your home, you’re first reactions are usually what kind of mold is it and what can I do to find out more about it. Although professional mold testing is always recommended, you can purchase mold testing kits and test for household mold on your own. We feel that the money spent on professional testing will deliver better and more dependable results, however some people prefer to at least start the process before seeking professionals.
We will review some DIY test kits and talk about their advantages and disadvantages. Most of these test kits can be found at any major home improvement store.
Zefon Air-O-Cell Cassette
This kit is designed to sample mold spores in the air of a room. It has a short collection time and a quick analysis time. This test kit’s one drawback is that it can’t differentiate between live and dead mold spores, which is an important consideration. Dead mold spores can still cause health issues if enough are inhaled. It also will not tell you what type of mold is present, only the amount.
Anderson N-6 Bioaerosol Sampler
This test kit also samples the mold spores in your air. It directs air onto a collection plate and takes about five minutes to complete. After collection, you must wait to see what grows. This kit will tell you what type of mold is present and how much of the mold there is. Once again, this kit will only tell you the results of live mold spores, and gives no results for dead spores. Its other disadvantage is its cost. Pricing starts around $200.00 for a pack of 50.
ProLab Mold Test Kit
This is a three-in-one test kit. It allows you to take an air sample, a swab surface sample, and it will test your HVAC system for mold also. It will identify the type of mold that you encounter, but once again it can’t account for dead mold spores. Another disadvantage is that the air sampling involves setting a Petri dish in the area you want to test and allowing airborne mold spores to “drift” into it. The problem with this is it will almost always come back positive because mold is everywhere. There may be mold in your home, but it may not be a problem because there is not a lot of it and it is not growing, it’s just there.
DIY Easy Mold Test
This popular mold test kit comes with three tape lift strips for surface sample testing only. You collect the samples, mail them off to a lab, and wait for the results to be sent back. The disadvantages are the wait (can you afford to wait?), and then understanding the results. This kit will even tell you that after you receive the results you should talk to an expert. Why not just do that in the first place?
DIY Tests vs. Professional Testing
Yes, you can do it yourself but what will the test tell you? Below are some of the benefits of hiring a professional mold tester:
They know which tests will be most effective.
Their equipment has not “set on the shelf” for who knows how long.
They have the training to do the job correctly and analyze the results
They can tell you what types of mold are present and how much of it there is.
They can give solid recommendations concerning mold remediation experts.
Why Choose Water Mold Fire Restoration
We understand the science behind mold and requirements for a successful mold remediation. Our experts apply the appropriate safety procedures, use the right products and equipment, and will eliminate your mold infestation problem. You can contact us at 800-905-0277 or at help@watermoldfire.net.
