In the basement of your new house, you found a piece of carpet laying out in the middle of it. Curious, you pull it up only to discover what you think is probably mold or mildew. Now you are concerned that there may be a bigger problem, so you want to know how to test for mold in your house.
Home mold testing
In this scenario, there appears to be a leak, flood, or even a drain overflow. To find out if the substance is mold, take a sample yourself and send it in to a mold testing lab for examination, or you can hire a mold expert for performing an inspection, as well as taking a sample of the substance for study by a mold testing lab.
Doing it yourself can save you some money. Here is what you do. Get yourself some latex gloves, a cotton swab, a small plastic container, or a small sandwich bag where you will place the cotton swab. Rub the swab on the surface, then put it in the container, then label it with a number and location with a marker. Take a photo with your phone before and a photo after showing the labeled bag or container. You need to take at least two samples in two different spots. Alternatively, you can hire an expert who will inspect the area to determine the overall condition and possible source of the leak. They will also provide valuable advice and give you recommendations. They will also take samples and submit them to a mold testing lab for analysis and provide you with a report that they will also interpret. Likewise, once you have collected your samples, you will need to locate a mold testing lab near you or online to send your samples for testing. The laboratory technician will examine the pieces under Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) and generate the results.
Mold testing cost
If you hire an expert, be prepared to budget between $250-$550 for the inspection and testing, but if you do it yourself, you could save about $200-$300. You can decide if the savings is worth it or not.
Mold testing near me
You can send your samples directly to 5 Microns Inc. for testing. We provide mold testing and inspection services, with a standard turnaround time of 2 business days and 24-hour, and same-day service from receipt. Please get in touch with us at 425-440-8787. Email at clientservices@5microns.tech. Our headquarters are at 7100 Fort Dent Way, #100 Tukwila, WA 98188. Would you mind checking our “locations” link for offices near you?
Mold testing lab
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 piece (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).
Do not take your samples to the front desk. The front desk will not accept drop-offs over the counter, NO EXCEPTIONS! *PLEASE NOTE FOR ALL DROP-OFFS: All pieces 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.
5 Microns Inc. Sample Drop Box
