How much does mold testing cost?
Mold testing cost depends on the method you use; if you collect the samples yourself, it will cost you much less than hiring an expert to do the work. You can spend about $50 per sample by doing it yourself and sending the material to a mold testing lab for examination, and if you hire an expert, you can expect to spend about $200 for the service call, plus $50 per sample. But there are considerable benefits in hiring a professional to do the work. He or she will also perform an inspection to determine the root cause and identify other potential problems. The inspector and also educate you on the different mold spores and how to deal with them and give you a full report with some recommendations.
How do you test for mold in a lab?
Before you can test for mold in a laboratory, you will need to collect samples before submitting them to a mold testing lab. There are two common types of mold samples—bulk and air. A bulk sample is a piece of material with visible mold on it, such as a pair of shoes, a book, or drywall, for example. You can use a cotton swab to obtain a sample by rubbing the swab onto the material. You may also get a bulk sample by using a piece of cellophane tape, or you can take a portion of the item with the mold on it and submit it to a mold testing lab for analysis. Another option is to get an air sample using a mechanical or an electric pump. This method will utilize a mold trap to collect the mold spores in the air. The lab will examine the material under PCM—Phase Contrast Microscopy.
Home mold testing
If you want to take on the challenge of home mold testing, make sure you are appropriately geared up for the task by wearing a respirator and latex gloves. You also want to have an excellent secure ladder if you need to reach up to get a sample. You can cut a 3 square inch piece of the material or get a surface sample using a cotton swab or a portion of clear cellophane tape. Place your selections in a lockable sandwich bag and label it with a number and location. If you are using a piece of tape, place it in the sandwich bag.
Mold air testing
One of the best ways to find out if there is mold in your house is to do a mold air test, especially if it’s not visible. There are, however, a couple of different ways to do a mold air test. Setting out a Petri Dish to collect settling mold spores is one way to do a mold air test. Once the mold spores sit in the dish, they will grow and indicate the presence of mold, but you still have to take or send the plate to a mold testing lab that will analyze the specimen under Phase Contrast Microscopy. The other option is to use an electric pump that uses a mold trap to collect the spores. The pump has an adjustable flow rate that allows it to capture all the different colonies of spores.
Same-day mold testing
If you have some material you would like tested for mold, you can send it to 5 Microns Inc for analysis. We offer mail-in or drop-off service, and with same-day results as an option. Our standard turnaround time is two business days from receipt. Testing per sample is at $50 each. We can also go onsite to perform all the work. Please contact us for a free estimate.
Where to send mold samples for testing
5 Microns Inc.
7100 Fort Dent Way #100
Tukwila, WA 98188
Mail-in mold testing:
5 Microns Inc.
7100 Fort Dent Way #100
Tukwila, WA 98188
IMPORTANT-MUST READ FIRST: All mail-in samples must have a tracking number and include our general chain of custody form to be processed. If the chain of custody form is missing, your sample(s) will not be accepted and processed. Drop-offs MUST have the COC form inside your package but not in the sample bag. DO NOT MAIL YOUR SAMPLES BY FIRST CLASS MAIL. Send your sample(s) via USPS Priority Mail, UPS, and FedEx. It is essential to closely follow these directions so our asbestos testing lab can promptly process your sample(s).
Mold testing lab
*PLEASE NOTE FOR ALL DROP-OFFS: All samples must be dropped off at the back of the office building located at 7100 Fort Dent Way Tukwila WA outside the Tabor 100 Office and placed inside the black drop-box pictured below. Do not take your samples to the front desk. The front desk will not accept drop-offs over the counter, NO EXCEPTIONS!
5 Microns Inc. Sample Drop Box
Mold testing lab near me
5 Microns Inc.
7100 Fort Dent Way #100
Tukwila, WA 98188
