Are Home Mold Test Kits Accurate

Mold Armor Diy Mold Test Kit

Complete with a petri dish and mold-growth medium, this Mold Armor kit is suitable for testing indoor air, ventilation systems and surface areas that show visible mold growth. This kit shows the presence of mold after being exposed to the air, but a $40 test fee is required to find out what kind of mold youve got.

My Mold Detective Mmd103 Mold Test Kit 3

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The My Mold Detective mold test kit is a comprehensive kit that allows you to test multiple spaces so that, if there is extensive water damage or questionable visible substances that seem suspicious, you can easily cover everything with a single kit. The test is quick and simple to complete, taking only 5 minutes, and a timer that is included assures you dont mistakenly cut the sample off too soon or waste extra time waiting. You also have options regarding how many samples you want to take, since there are 3 indoor cartridges and 1 outdoor cartridge for collecting samples.

Rather than collecting samples in a petri dish, the 15-liter air sampling pump draws in air to test the quality and capture any mold spores or other allergens that are potentially harmful to your family. Once youve completed the sampling, the cartridges can be shipped to the lab technicians for a standard analysis. These require additional fees at the time you go online to register your samples for review. Because the device is reusable, youll never have to rent other expensive equipment to test your space or have a professional come in to take samples for high fees.

The Best Mold Test Kits

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Heres an uncomfortable truth: you could very easily have mold in your home right now and not even realize it. Mold spores are tiny enough to drift in through open windows or hitch a ride on clothing completely undetected. The good news is that, out of the more than 100,000 different species of mold on Earth, the vast majority of them are mostly harmless to humans, especially when theyre present in very small amounts. The bad news, though, is that certain types of mold produce substances called mycotoxins. As their name implies, mycotoxins are far from harmless!

Humans can suffer from a variety of health problems when they unknowingly inhale or ingest mycotoxins. And one of the most common ways that people come in contact with these nasty microbes is through undiscovered mold infestations in their home. Mold test kits, which are designed to detect traces of mycotoxins in urine or environmental dust samples, can be the key to discovering that your home or body is contaminated with mold. A good test is accurate AND quick not just one or the other. Fortunately, mold test kits by RealTime Laboratories are both!

The RealTime Labs Difference Heres what makes our mold test kits so special:

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Doesnt The Presence Of Mold Indicate That A House Is Dirty Or Poorly Maintained Mold Cant Possibly Be Whats Making Me Sick Since I Keep My Home Cleanright

While its true that mold can very easily thrive in homes that arent cleaned regularly and scrupulously, mold problems can happen in even the most well-maintained homes. Part of the problem is that mold can grow inside of walls, under carpeting, and in other hard-to-reach places. Mold spores can also withstand vigorous scrubbing with soap and water, rendering standard cleanup efforts ineffective. And, sadly, folks can inadvertently create a mold hazard when they refuse to part with treasured items damaged by wateror dont dry out a room quickly enough after a flood. Many people also believe that mold must be visible mold where you can see discoloration or spreading on surfaces, but there are different kinds of mycotoxins that can spread and grow without being seen.

Be On The Lookout For Mold

After reviewing the latest studies, Environment Canada has issued new indoor-air quality-standards for mold in homes. Since mold and mildew problems tend to be worse during damp periods of spring and summer, heed the recommendations in the new guidelines.

Environment Canada, the equivalent of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, says mold growth in residential buildings poses a significant health hazard, depending on the level of exposure and sensitivity of individuals. Possible negative health effects include increased asthma-related symptoms, such as chronic wheezing and irritation, and other respiratory conditions. Environment Canada recommends that you control humidity, repair water damage, and thoroughly clean any visible or concealed mold.

You can use bathrooms fans and range hoods to control humidity in bathrooms and the kitchen remember to vent them to the outdoors so they do their job. Also repair anything that could allow moisture to enter your home and lead to mold growthleaky roofs damaged or missing chimney and window flashing, shingles, and siding and leaky pipes.

Consumer Reports recommends against using mold test kits. All those weve tested have had major problems and are not reliable. Whats more, identifying the mold species growing in your home is less important than eradicating it.

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Mold Detection Kit Buyers Guide

After going through these options, you may have a better idea about which type of mold detection kit or device is for you. If you have a few options in mind but not sure which one to narrow down to, here are a few tips for you.

A basic kit should include swabs, sample trays, and all equipment required for surface sample testing or adhesive strips for air testing. For a hassle-free experience, read the description to see if the items needed for the test are in the kit itself. Otherwise, your work will be doubled, trying to find the remaining items.

Make sure you check if the product you are purchasing has relevant certification and accreditation. Most mold detection tests are certified and verified by the American Industrial Hygiene Association , and they are tested by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-certified labs. This is extremely important to ensure safe and accurate results from your test. To prevent inaccuracy, it is always recommended to go for accredited testing kits.

Any respected brand values customer feedback and queries. Before making a selection, check if the company has strong customer support in place in case of any issues after the purchase. The basics are FAQs, telephone numbers, and responsive email ids. An added bonus is easy-to-follow video tutorials.

Verdict

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Its no secret that damp areas of the home provide the perfect conditions for mold and mildew to grow. Whether your nose knows, or your eyes spy dark spots in strategic locations, you want to make sure.

Mold doesnt just eat away at your wood, wallpaper, or grout. Its spores get airborne and cause all kinds of health problems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says enough evidence exists to link mold to upper respiratory tract symptoms like itchy eyes and runny nose to cough and wheeze in otherwise healthy people.

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The Best Mold Test Kits: We Review The Most Accurate & User

Are you suspecting a mold infestation in your home? Molds like to grow in damp places. When indoor humidity level is above 60%, this is when molds start appearing. Before you call an expert to get rid of the molds, do a home mold test first using a mold test kit.

There are a lot of mold test kits out there but we can help you find the one that is easy to use in your home. This guide will review the most reliable mold test kits out there and take a closer look at their features, so you can decide better which of the best mold test kit out there has the features that work best for your specific needs.

In This Guide

This mold test kit is the most comprehensive surface tests we have seen, being capable of testing not one, not two, but all types of molds.

The reason why we think this is the best overall mold test kit is because it tests for all types of molds, not just one or two. Because of this, it is easier what kind of mold lurks in the corners of your home. It is an inexpensive mold test kit that contain 3 tape lifts to be used for your surface test. Inside the package you will also find a quick start guide to let you know how to get started in testing your home for molds. After getting the samples, simply send them through mail to a reputable lab.

Pros:

It is easy to use. Just get your sample in areas of the house you suspect has an infestation, put it in the mail, send it to the lab and wait for your results.

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

For Detecting And Tackling Mold Spores

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Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the bestproducts youcan learn more about ourreview process here.We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

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Mold can grow anywhere it finds moisture and organic nutrients, like wood or paper, to feed on. You may find it in a corner of your bathroom, laundry room, or basement, or any space that doesn’t have quality ventilation. If you come across mold, it’s imperative to remove it quickly and safely, as mold can be detrimental to your familys health. However, it can be a little difficult to know if mold exists in your home , which is where at-home mold testing comes in.

Mold testing kits help you detect and even identify growing spores in your home, through samples collected via the air or from the surface in question. Some give you results right away, while others ask you to package the samples and send them back to a lab for professional examination. With the resulting information, you can get the peace-of-mind that you’re looking for while making all of the necessary arrangements to remove the harmful fungi, or know your cleaning efforts were effective.

Here, the best at-home mold tests, that are both easy to use and effective.

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How To Choose The Best Mold Test Kit

There are a few key things to consider when selecting a mold test kit. These include the types of supplies that are included and the customer support that’s available. Here are the main factors to think about to make sure you choose the best mold test kit for your situation.

Test supplies

It is important to find a mold test kit that includes all of the equipment necessary to collect complete samples. If a test kit can collect surface samples but does not include swabs or adhesive strips, youll have to look elsewhere to buy these items at an added cost. Usually, you can determine the types of tests the kit can perform by looking at the included supplies.

Help and support

Reputable mold test companies include their telephone numbers and email addresses on their websites. In addition to contact information, you might want to select a company that has strong support options, including FAQs and video tutorials. Aside from our top two products, the Pro-Lab Mold Test Kit and the Home Mold Laboratory Viable Mold Test Kit, you can find full customer support with Healthful Home’s 5-Minute Mold Test and the Mold Check Whole House Mold Test.

It also is handy if either the kit itself or the website offers a guidebook to tell you how to test for mold and identify what you find.

Failing To Account For Dead Spores

Stachybotrys, Chaetomium, and Ulocladium are molds that are considered water damage-makers. Your DIY kit may not pick up their traces as they are dead spores. Dead spores are detrimental to ones health, however, most DIY kits are only concentrated on growing molds. This makes their effectiveness limited and their results inconclusive.

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Reasons Mold Test Kits Waste Your Money

Mold growth on painted wall.Source: Eurofins EMLab P& K

“In some samples, the vials with media leaked over entire kit. In one, an unopened kit was moldy. No expiration dates on the kit old media could affect the accuracy and reliability of the results. Label claims that kit can identify toxic mold, but the report the lab sends can’t tell you this. One unused plate came back positive for mold growth, indicating contamination at some point not very reassuring for post remediation use.”

Hidden mold growth behind wood baseboard.Source: Eurofins EMLab P& K

Moldinspection Network Diy Mold Test Kit

Unlike theother tests mentioned here, the DIY Mold Test Kit relies on the tape liftmethod for mold testing. This makes in much more useful if you have visiblemold. However, it also makes it more accurate.

Basicallyyou place the tape against the area that has mold or that you suspect it hasmold. You seal it up and send it to the lab for analysis.

Pros of the Mold Inspection NetworkDIY Mold Test Kit

• Very easy to use with clearinstructions
• Affordable
• Includes three tape lift tests so youget more bang for your buck
• Detailed report with qualityinformation provided about the various types of mold spores tested for.

Cons of the Mold Inspection NetworkDIY Mold Test Kit

• Additional lab fee of $24 for residenceof Texas
• Does not give you specific counts formold
• Not as many species of mold testedalthough the most dangerous types of mold are accounted for.
• The kit is notcertified by the American Industrial Hygiene Association.

Average Price of the Mold InspectionNetwork DIY Mold Test Kit

$45 whichincludes three tests

Purchase the MoldInspection Network DIY Mold Test Kit Here

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If You Want To Hire A Professional Mold Tester

If you want to make sure you get accurate results, we suggest hiring a professional mold tester, sometimes referred to as a mold inspector. Follow this link to find qualified mold testers in your area. You can also learn more about what a mold inspector does, and how to choose the right one for the job.

Types Of Home Mold Test Kits

Method one is a petri dish type mold test.

The user leaves the open petri dish in a room for a specific period of time and then allows the petri dish to grow whatever landed on it. The specific mold test should come with a chart showing you what the various types of mold that might grow on the petri dish look like. You can then determine if mold might be growing in that area of your home.

The limitation with this method is two fold. First, airborne mold spores can change second by second. So you likely are not getting an accurate look at what is going on in your home. Secondly, you dont know exactly what type of mold is growing as a lot of molds are the same color and texture.

There is a more advanced option with the petri dish testing in that you can send the dishes into a lab where they will analyze the colonies that grow and email you a report telling you exactly what was growing on the petri dish. Again, you are limited by what spores were floating around at that exact moment but at least you have a better idea of the types of mold that may be in your home.

In order for the petri dish method tobe even halfway effective, you really need to put a test plate in every room ofyour house.

These petri dishes can also be used toconduct surface mold sampling where you use a swab to collect a sample of anyvisible mold. Then you transfer the contents of the swab onto the petri dish.The analysis works the same way.

Method two is a tape lift type of test.

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Testing For Mold In Your Home

If you hire a professional mold inspector to come to your home, theyll take samples from three areasthe air, the surface, and surrounding dust. They send these samples to a third-party laboratory to find out the concentration and kinds of mold in those particular areas.

However, this procedure takes time and isnt cheap. Fortunately, testing for mold in your home is a relatively easy task that can give you faster results and save you money. If youve done everything you can to prevent mold but still have reason to think the air you breathe is compromised with mold spores, check strategic locations for visible signs of mold.

Common areas of mold growth include:

• Areas around plumbing lines, even behind the drywall
• Below sinks
• Coils of HVAC air handlers or ductwork
• Between the furniture and exterior walls, particularly in basements or concrete block houses