Upon a recent trip to the basement in your house, while you were reorganizing the small storage area underneath the stairs, you noticed what appeared to look like mold growing on the wall, and the stench was so pungent that you started to have a headache. Mold seems to have gotten all over the boxes and articles of clothing stored next to the basement wall. Worried you are concerned if the mold in your basement is dangerous.
Mold can grow on many different types of materials such as fabrics, leather, and paper. If the growth is significant inside the material’s pores, it should be thrown out as it is unlikely that you can completely get rid of it.
Home mold testing
Mold can be dangerous and if you see signs of growth in your basement, avoid touching it with bare hands as it can cause health problems. If you want to be sure of the mold’s status in your basement, you will need testing. When you have visible mold, you can easily collect a sample for testing by getting a swab sample, tape lift, or cutting a small piece of the affected material. After getting the model, please place it in a bag and label it with a number and location. You should take at least two samples
Mold air testing
Sometimes you need to get more data on the mold spores that are present in your house. In addition to the direct sample, it is also good practice to obtain a mold air sample as this can provide more information on the other spores that are not visible. The mold air sample will detect viable and non-viable spores, and the latter can contain mycotoxins which are especially harmful to your health. The air sample will also trap many unseen colonies of mold. By using both the air and direct sampling method, you can get a complete picture of the presence of the mold.
Mold testing lab near me
The samples you collected in the basement need to be analyzed by Phase Contrast Microscopy by a certified mold laboratory. You can find a mold testing lab by searching “mold testing lab near me” on the internet to locate qualified labs to do the test. Make sure they can provide a report that you can understand and include recommendations to remedy the situation. If they cannot offer suggestions, you can also hire a professional to come to your home to inspect and collect the samples for you. The expert will be able to provide a full report with recommendations. Make sure the consultant will not be the persona performing the abatement as this is a conflict of interest.
Same day mold testing
Whether you have young children, older adults, or someone immunodeficient in your house and you have visible signs of mold, you need to act quickly. It would be best if you looked for same-day mold testing. Many labs offer this service at a premium, but it is well worth the cost. 5 Microns Inc offers same-day mold testing. We are available Monday to Friday between 9 AM and 5 PM, and Saturday from 9 AM to 3 PM. Call 425-440-8787 Now!
