Mold is everywhere—outside and in your home. You can never eradicate mold because it is part of our ecosystem. But the problem with mold is when there is elevated inside your home. It becomes allergenic, pathogenic, and toxigenic; this is when it is hazardous to your health. I have witnessed countless heartbreaking stories of families that have experienced being displaced from their homes due to mold. Some people were stuck in a mortgage on a home they just bought and later discovered high levels of mold and could not live in there because it made them sick or were stuck in a lease on a home infested with mold.
Mold is one of those things that gets constantly neglected or overlooked during a home inspection or when vetting a rental and, it should be required because of the havoc it can cause.
How to test for mold
Mold can be tested by conducting an air test or by taking a direct sample. When looking to buy a house or rent an apartment, you should request a mold inspection by an industrial hygienist. The professional will conduct a thorough examination and provide professional feedback. He or she will also perform an air test that will capture mold spores in the air and produce a report indicating the types of mold spores found, the levels, and the problem’s source. The industrial hygienist will also collect physical samples when visible mold is present.
How much does mold testing cost?
If you can perform the sampling yourself, you could save some money. However, you will not get the support of a seasoned professional who can provide expert advice and ensure the inspection is properly done. Hiring a professional will cost you about $250-$550—well worth it. You can also send a sample for mold testing to a mold testing lab for about $50 per sample.
Same day mold testing
5 Microns Inc can perform mold inspections. Our inspectors have the credentials and expertise to conduct thorough mold inspections. We also offer same-day results for mold testing and a standard 2-3 day turnaround time.
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!
