How to Determine the Presence of Molds at Home

Mold testing is the process of identifying the presence of molds in a particular area. It entails carrying out appropriate tests using specific techniques to get to the bottom of everything. Mold testing techniques are the best ways to determine the kind of mold species present in a house. To start the identification process, specialists are brought in for the remediation. You will need to look within your location for professionals by searching online with phrases such as “mold remediation in Leominster, MA“, for example, so you can find the right one for your situation.
 
It would be highly beneficial to understand the different types of mold testing methods that you can use to determine the presence of molds at home.

You need to understand the different types of mold testing methods that you can use to determine the presence of molds at home.

The Different Types of Mold Testing Methods

Below are some of the mold testing techniques and their effectiveness.

·       Non-viable air testing method

This mold testing method is one of the most traditional practices used by experts when testing the air for the presence of molds. A plastic cassette is used to draw in air in a specific area like a warehouse or store.

The air is drawn for a specified amount of time. In this case, the slide is later put into a microscope. A technician will count the number of mold spores and try to figure out the species that are present. 

·       Viable air testing method

The viable air testing method is not as standard as the non-viable air testing method. However, this method offers more information as compared to other techniques for mold collection and testing. The most significant advantage of this mold testing method is it allows you to distinguish mold species with similar characteristics and appearances. It is a useful technique for contrasting results when conducting a mold count in a particular area. 

·       Surface sampling method

This mold testing method is usually carried on a suspect material with a view of determining the mold growth and type of species present. As such, the main focus is on the qualitative outcome rather than quantitative. The surface sampling method is divided into sub-categories that can be used for a particular purpose. These techniques have bulk material, tape lift, dust, sampling, and swab sampling. 

·       Mold testing kits

When it comes to this method, you may be interested to know if there is any difference between the mold testing kits used by professionals and the ones that are sold in the local hardware stores.

There is a difference between these two kits. If you are planning to DIY mold testing, using this method will be one of your best options.

Similarly, experts rely on different mold testing kits to get a good outcome after a mold inspection. One of the disadvantages of mold testing kits is they are hard to quantify data because the variables cannot be adequately controlled. It means that you stand a good chance of getting the best results for mold remediation Toms River with professional assistance.

Take Away

It is essential to make sure that you get the right results when carrying out the mold inspection. It puts you in the best position to take an effective action to remedy the mold problem. For minor mold cases at home, you can use DIY methods. However, ask for professional help for severe mold infestation cases.