Mold Testing: Mold Testing Kits vs. Professional Mold Inspection

9/14/2019 (Permalink)

Mold can grow in areas not visible to the eye, areas only a professional assessment and test can uncover. Don't wait to call if you suspect mold.

Are at Home Mold Testing Kits Worth It?

Homeowners may inspect their homes almost daily for any signs of issue. This can mean a dented wall, chipped paint, a leak in their bathroom, or a faulty appliance. While it is in the right of the homeowner to ensure their home is without any potential disasters, mold inspection is not to be taken lightly.

A patch of black spots or an earthy, musty smell might cause a homeowner to run to their nearest home improvement store to purchase a mold testing kit. The initiative is applauded but not without warning. There are many issues with testing kits, ranging from their validity to their prices. This is not to mention that these kits require a homeowner to make contact with potential mold. Without proper equipment, a novice exposing themselves to mold can be detrimental to their health.

A fallacy of a mold testing kit is their accuracy. Mold is organically ubiquitous. This means it is pretty much everywhere including the air, on surfaces, even in your home. And because of this testing with a department store kit will always present users with positive findings for mold. Just because mold is found does not mean there is a mold problem.

The ability of a kit to provide an understanding of the kind of mold found is an issue as well. Though there are kits that allow users to send off samples to testing labs, this still does not provide any further instruction on steps take after mold is found.

The answers found in a mold at-home testing kit are not meaningful. These kits are highly advised against in the mold restoration industry as they can be extremely expensive and moot. Only will a certified mold inspector provide real answers and real results. Professionals who have experience and knowledge of mold are able to consider multiple factors when inspecting your home. These factors can include areas mold is found, types of mold, implications to the rest of your home, and if there is a source that is contributing to the exacerbation of the mold like moisture. 

Don’t trust the safety of your home and those in it to a store mold testing kit. Call your home insurance if there is a potential mold issue or a professional company like SERVPRO of West Palm Beach. Take care of your mold infestation the right way the first time!