Expert Mold Assessment: Detecting and Preventing Mold

I am excited to announce that we are now licensed in New York AND Pennsylvania as a certified Mold Assessor.

Typically, home inspectors are not allowed to call a substance “MOLD” during your inspection. It is commonly referred to as a “mold like substance” or “Organic Growth”. With the new certification All SPAR Home Solutions will be able to help you better understand they effect of mold to you and the home.

What is a Mold Assessment?

Mold assessment is a process that involves inspecting and evaluating a building or area for the presence of mold. It typically includes:

Inspection: A trained professional visually examines the property for signs of mold growth, such as discoloration, moisture damage, or musty odors.
Sampling: In some cases, air or surface samples may be taken to determine the type and concentration of mold present. Often times this is not required.
Assessment: The collected data is analyzed to assess the extent of the mold problem, identify the type of mold, and determine potential health risks.
Remediation recommendations: Based on the assessment findings, recommendations are provided for mold removal and prevention measures. It is against the law for an Assessor to complete Remediation and vice versa.
Reporting: A detailed report is must be generated to document the findings, assessment results, and recommended actions.

Overall, mold assessment is crucial for identifying and addressing mold issues to protect the health of occupants and prevent further mold growth.

Can You Just Clean Your Mold?

The short answer, in most cases: “Yes”.

It is recommended that the mold be properly cleaned from the home and as a homeowner you may be allowed to do so yourself. However, just cleaning the mold is only part of the problem in most cases. It is important to have a qualified mold assessor help determine WHY you are seeing mold in your home. In every case, we feel it is more important to know the WHY mold is growing as opposed to knowing the HOW to get rid of it.

Do You Need Samples Taken?

Mold can be a sneaky invader, often lurking in our homes and workplaces without visible signs. To detect and assess mold growth, various sampling methods can be used. In situations where visible mold growth is seen we may not recommend sampling, unless you want it done. In other, less obvious cases we may need to test in order to determine what level of remediation is needed. Here are the most common methods we will use.

Air Sampling:
- Spore Trap Sampling: This common method collects airborne mold spores on a sticky surface. The trap is then analyzed to identify and quantify the types of mold present.
- Impaction Sampling: Air is drawn through a small opening onto a collection surface, capturing spores. This technique helps assess the concentration of airborne mold spores.
Surface Sampling:
- Tape Lift or Swab Sampling: A piece of adhesive tape or a swab is used to collect samples from surfaces suspected of mold growth. These samples are then examined under a microscope to identify mold types.
- Bulk Sampling: In this method, physical materials suspected of harboring mold, such as drywall or insulation, are collected and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Bulk sampling helps determine the extent of mold contamination.
Dust Sampling:
- Dust and Vacuum Sampling: Dust and debris collected from surfaces can provide insights into the presence of mold. This method helps identify hidden mold problems.