Mold Tests Everywhere: Do You Know How To Interpret the Results?

Mold tests on a nearby shelf nearly jumped out at me while standing in line at the local pharmacy last week.

Let’s face it. Mold testing is now so commonplace, anyone can buy a test and do it themselves.

What comes next?

Often, when folks suspect their home has a mold problem, they decide to try out one of these tests. Even their doctors may jump to a mold testing kit as a first line of defense when health is at issue.

The instructions are on the box. How hard can it be? Not hard at all to run a test.

The difficulty arises once the results are in… standing there, staring at the data, not certain what to do with it. “OK. It looks like I really do have mold here. Do the numbers mean my mold is a little bad? Monster Bad? What do I actually have to do next? Where do I start?

That’s where “stand alone” mold testing fails you. That’s often where we come into the picture.

Here’s where we stand on mold tests.

We start with our “trained eye” search of the house. We gather and evaluate critical information that answers:

Where the mold growths are at
What caused the mold to grow.
Why the molds were able to grow
How to fix those mold-driving issues
How to manage the cleanup

As to testing, we can then “hit the mark” with testing upon mold targets (rather than run a “blind” test that may miss “capturing” the mold.)

When combining a visual inspection, assessment, and insight of an expert examiner, testing can then become a helpful source of information for identifying and getting rid of mold. Sadly, a “blind” mold test alone does not tell you anywhere near enough of what you need to know to correct the mold issue.

Learn more about mold and mold tests in the southern Appalachians.

As you’re trying to find a way out from under the weight of “Mold Overwhelm”….answering these questions can help:

How do you know if you need a specialist who reads mold tests?

Start with a flashlight and have a good look around your home, top to bottom, inside and out. When you spy the mold at the source, here’s how to know what you are looking at. Mold tests alone won’t give you that understanding.

1. Do you see signs of discoloration or water damage?

If so, you probably want to have a pro examine that area for moisture and mold. They also need to be able to assess the root cause of the mold problem before you go any further.

2. Is the mold infestation more than you can handle?

In other words, does it appear to be toxic? Does the mold cover more than 10 square feet?

If so, do not attempt to clean the area yourself, even with a strong disinfectant. Mold mitigation specialists have special training and wear protective gear. Without these, you could accidentally become exposed to harmful levels of spores. Without the right clean-up process, you might also cause mold particles to spread farther into other areas of the house.

Mold exposure places you at risk for a range of health issues. If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, you may need a specialist to weigh in before attempting cleanup.

When it comes to mold, don’t play the guessing game. Examine, Evaluate, and know when and where to use testing effectively.

We can help.