In your bathroom, you’ve noticed some black spotting on the ceiling over time; they are getting larger and multiplying. You suspect that it might be mold because the restroom does have a fan, but it doesn’t seem to be taking the moisture out of the room, and the humidity keeps building up even when it’s ON. The bathroom also has no window. You’ve tried cleaning the spots on the ceiling, but they come back after just one week.
It is essential to recognize that mold is a health hazard, and if you see it on your ceiling, it is something of concern. There are different categories of mold: allergenic—causes itching, watery eyes, sneezing, and coughing. Pathogenic mold—causes respiratory problems. And toxigenic mold—can produce mycotoxins and is a protein inhibitor.
Home mold testing
Before touching the mold on your ceiling, you need to get a test to know what kind of mold it is to prevent any possible health problems and stop from spreading the spores by disturbing the mold. It would help to get a sample using a cotton swab, a tape lift, or cutting the infected material’s piece for visible mold. It is crucial to protect yourself using a minimum amount of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). Wear latex gloves, use protective eyewear, and a face covering.
Mold air testing
Even if you seed the mold, there are also non-visible mold spores floating around, and it would be beneficial to know what they are, as they could be mycotoxins. The best solution to get these spores is by using an electric mold pump with a mold trap called an air-o-cell cassette. The pump draws in air through the attached cassette, and the spores settle onto the impactor inside the cassette, which a mold testing lab will examine.
Mold testing lab
To find out if your samples do contain mold, you will need to take them to a mold testing lab that will analyze the mold material and inform you of the mold’s presence, type, and spore count.
Mold testing lab near me
It would be best if you found a reliable lab to study the samples you’ve taken. Look online for a “mold testing lab near me” as your search term, and if there are mold testing labs in your area, contact them and ask if they are certified to test for mold. And if there isn’t one in your immediate area, look for a lab that offers mail-in mold testing.
Same day mold testing
If you have severe allergies to mold, you should look for a lab that offers same-day mold testing. There could be a surcharge for such service, but it is well worth the extra cost for your safety and peace of mind when your health is at risk. Ask the labs that you have contacted if they offer same-day mold testing. 5 Microns Inc. offers same-day mold testing at competitive prices. We are open Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM and Saturday from 9 AM to 3 PM PST. Call 425-440-8787 Now!
