Well, you think there might be some mold growing in your house because every time you walk in, there is a musty smell, and you seem to be feeling more tired after being at home for a couple of hours. Frustrated with the scent and the tiredness, you would like to rule out the mold, so what should you do if you suspect mold in your house?
Where do I find mold in my house?
Mold tends to hide in dark and damp places—basements, behind walls, furniture, attics, bathrooms, and crawl spaces, to name some. Those, as mentioned above, are good places to start looking for visible mold. But for non-visible mold, it will require some tools to detect.
How to test for mold
Suppose you have visible mold but want to know what type of mold it is. In that case, you can take a sample by using a piece of clear packing tape, a cotton swab, or you may also cut a portion of the material and send a representative to a lab for analysis under a microscope. If the mold is non-visible, you can use a Petri Dish or an electric or mechanical pump that is purposely built for the task. You may also want to hire a professional to investigate the problem by conducting a thorough inspection and providing advice on ways to eradicate and prevent the problem if necessary.
How much does mold testing cost?
If you collect the mold samples yourself and send them to a lab for analysis, it will cost you less. $25-$50, but if you hire a professional to perform all the work, it can cost you between $250-$350, but you will get professional service and advice that could potentially protect your family’s health and may even cost you a lot less in the end.
Same-day mold testing
If you suspect mold in your home and need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact the pros at 5 Microns Inc. We have the tools and expertise to perform the task, and we also offer mold sample drop-off or mail-in service. We can provide results within 3-5 business days, and we also provide same-day service from receipt.
Where to send mold samples for testing
Mail in samples to the following address:
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).
*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
