There seems to be a musty smell every time you go to the upper floor of your house. Before you moved into this house several months ago, the inspector discovered that a bathroom and dryer vent were pieced together and venting out into the attic. And you’ve been feeling kind of sick when you are home for a few hours; you’re getting headaches, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. The problem was fixed, and you figured it was the end; you closed on the house and moved in. Unfortunately, the dryer and the bathroom fan were venting into the attic, causing mold growth and spread.
Home mold testing
One of the most overlooked areas in a home regarding mold is the attic. Even if you hire a home inspector to check the attic, they may not notice or look for mold. Home inspectors are not trained in dealing with mold or other environmental contaminants as well as they are. They are trained to inspect a building’s general condition. Sure, a home inspector can look at what appears to be mold and report it. Still, they aren’t trained to conduct environmental home inspections that deal with contaminants, this type of inspection is typically performed by an industrial hygienist or environmental consultant. Buyers should always include an environmental inspection as part of their due diligence.
Mold air testing
An excellent way to test for mold in an attic is to conduct a mold air test. This type of test uses an electric pump with an attached air-o-cel cassette and a mold trap. The pump is calibrated and timed, which allows it to capture many colonies of mold spores. The mold air test is typically performed by a trained professional, but you could also rent a pump from a lab which should come with instructions. It would also help to take a physical sample of visible mold in your attic, whether using a tape lift or swab. Still, you will be doing without the professional inspection from an expert, which in itself is worth every penny.
Mold testing lab near me
If you need to get your attic tested for mold, you can contact a local mold testing. The lab should have technicians who can come out to your home, perform the sampling, and take them back to the lab for analysis under Phase Contract Microscopy. And if you plan on getting the samples yourself, the lab may be able to help you test them for mold.
Whether you are buying a new home and need an environmental inspection for mold, or if you are living in a house with mold, contact the professionals at 5 Microns Inc. to help you test for mold. Our experts have the tools and a wealth of knowledge about mold. We are available to serve you Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM and Saturday from 9 AM to 3:30 PM. Call 425-440-8787 Now!
