Diy Home Test For Mold Contamination
Mold can be harmful to a person’s health. In fact, mold can worsen asthma and result in fatigue, nausea or headaches, according to the Washington State Department of Health. Thus, it isn’t a good thing to have mold in a home.
There are professionals who have the skills and equipment needed to test a home for mold contamination, but homeowners can do preliminary tests for mold very easily.
Best Mold Test Kits 2021
Weve rated the best mold test kits for detecting spores around your home.
The best mold test kits are essential if you can see mold spores in your home or you suspect that theres an issue with damp. These handy kits allow you to swab areas in your home before sending off your samples for professional analysis so you can get on top of the problem.
If youre after one of the best black mold test kits, weve included some great options that are approved by the American Industrial Hygiene Association and are very easy to use. Treating black mold in your home is not only essential because it looks horrible, but it can also lead to health problems if it spreads. If left to its own devices, mold can devalue your home and cost thousands to fix.
The good news is that even the top-rated mold detection kits wont cost you a fortune, and many options in our guide are less than $20. Take note, however, that some kit companies charge you extra for the lab testing part of the process but some return your results in just five days.
Weve ranked the best mold test kits for how easy they are to use, any extra fees involved, and how quickly the results are returned. You can find a range of kits to choose from below but for other ways to monitor and tackle the air inside your home, head to our guides on the best air purifiers or the best dehumidifiers.
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Find The Right Mold Inspector
If a mold problem is detected in a house youd like to buy, you could ask the seller to take care of it. Some states require the seller to provide full disclosure about any mold or water damage in the house if you ask.
If youre buying a home and want a better grasp of mold related issues, hire a home inspector with expertise in mold inspection. You can here to find a WIN Home Inspection expert near you, and one of our expertly trained home inspectors can assist you. Alternatively, call 309-6753 or email us at and one of our experts will contact you promptly.
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How To Test For Mold In 6 Steps
Mold infestations can usually be seen or smelled, but they can also remain hidden behind walls or under carpets. Testing isnt necessary if you can see or smell mold that is confirmation enough to call a professional and begin the remediation process. Testing for mold in the house may be necessary if requested by a health professional or needed for legal purposes, such as a lawsuit with a landlord. Another reason to consider testing is if you arent able to see or smell mold in your home but are having unexplained symptoms associated with mold. Always follow the instructions provided with a test kit , but this is generally what to expect:
How Diy Mold Testing Kits Work
Home mold testing kits use settle plate applications. You set the provided dish out for a specific period of time, usually 24 to 48 hours, and the spores are supposed to fall into the dish. Unfortunately, false negatives and false positives are common with home mold tests. Additionally, even if the test discovers you have mold, it does not identify the type of mold, and whether it is toxic or not. To find out this important information, you have to send the dish of collected samples back to the company who distributes the testing kit, of course at an additional cost.
The results come back, and in most cases, they are unreadable. Instead of saying you have black mold or that you need black mold remediation, it will, for example, give the scientific term, stachybotrys. Its up to you to find out what type of mold this is, and whether you need mold removal or remediation.
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What Makes Black Mold Dangerous
Theres a lot of controversy surrounding black mold and its health effects. While some people are relatively unaffected by exposure to black mold, others have allergic reactions. Research suggests that in cases of acute exposure, a person may even experience severe symptoms, including lung disease and neurotoxic effects.
The health effects of black mold not only depends on the individual exposed, but also on the particular mold colony. Black mold can release a number of byproducts, including spores, mold fragments, microbial volatile organic compounds and mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are the most dangerous of these byproducts, but not all black mold colonies release them.
A Qualified Environmental Lab Took Samples Of The Mold In My Home And Gave Me The Results Can Cdc Interpret These Results
Standards for judging what is an acceptable, tolerable or normal quantity of mold have not been established. Sampling for mold can be expensive, and standards for judging what is and what is not an acceptable quantity of mold have not been set. The best practice is to remove the mold and work to prevent future growth. If you do decide to pay for environmental sampling for molds, before the work starts, you should ask the consultants who will do the work to establish criteria for interpreting the test results. They should tell you in advance what they will do or what recommendations they will make based on the sampling results. The results of samples taken in your unique situation cannot be interpreted without physical inspection of the contaminated area or without considering the buildings characteristics and the factors that led to the present condition.
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Do I Need A Mold Remediation Professional
The answer to this question depends on a lot of factors, such as how big the mold problem is, what surface the mold is growing on, and how handy you are. But, in general, the answer is that the smaller the mold problem, the less likely you are to need a professional.
Mold problems go hand in hand with water problems, so when youve got a water leak or flooding that isnt taken care of quickly, mold is usually soon to follow. But it doesnt just take a catastrophic water event to bring on mold. For example, almost every home I have been to has some mold growing in the bathroom.
Now, Im no doctor, but Id stake my reputation on stating that common bathroom mold in your tub or shower isnt going to kill you. But lets face it its gross, its unattractive, and it doesnt give you a feeling of cleanliness. The reason its so prominent in homes is because the bathroom is a high humidity environment, and most people dont take the time to properly ventilate it and dry it out.
But do you need to spend a lot of money on a mold professional to get rid of bathroom mold in your tub or shower? No! It is completely unnecessary. Any moderately handy person can buy some over the counter mold cleaner and clean their tile and grout and replace their caulking all for the grand total price of under $10! Just make sure to ventilate your bathroom going forward, so all your hard work wont be wasted.
What Is A Mold Inspection
A basic mold inspection consists of a visual inspection of the condition of the surrounding structure, an assessment of mold damage in a home or building, and an investigation of conditions that could lead to mold growth.
How long will it take to get homeHow long does it usually take to find a home? Research shows that it generally takes 16 weeks to find the perfect home. But people tend to quickly find out when they find it, and more than half know it during or immediately after seeing it for the first time . And 3 percent of owners even say they knew when they saw the ad.How long does it take for a closing on a house?It typically takes 30 to 60 days tâ¦
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How To Detect Mold In Your Basement Or Home
You won’t always know if there is mold in a house you’re considering buying, but you can take a few easy steps to try and find out.
Be on the lookout for mold. When you’re thinking about buying a home, look for the elements above to figure out if there are any obvious signs of mold or the potential for mold. Keep your eyes peeled for standing water in the basement, water marks on walls , or musty smells .
If you’re looking at a newer home, find out whether it is built with “synthetic stucco,” also called the Exterior Insulation and Finish System . This airtight barrier is supposed to improve insulation but, if improperly installed, may allow water penetration and mold growth on the inside of walls.
Ask your home inspector. If you have the home professionally inspected before you buy it, your home inspector may see obvious signs of mold or water damage. While it’s not the inspector’s job to look for mold, most home inspectors will mention obvious signs of water damage and the possible presence of mold. And, because the inspector will poke around in spaces you might not, he or she may see things you wouldn’t. For more information, see the Nolo article, “Getting a Home Inspection.”
In states where mold disclosure is not required, you can still ask for such disclosure. In addition, ask questions about things that could lead to mold growth, such as “Have any pipes ever burst?” or “Have any of the windows ever leaked?”
Are Home Mold Test Kits Reliable
Mold is everywhere. All homes have mold in them. Mold spores can be found in the air, on surfaces, furniture, and all over the place, especially where there is moisture. Although we already know that mold is everywhere, we all experience the unexpected or the unplanned. A natural disaster, such as a flood, where mold will begin to grow fast and you will need to act fast by testing to be sure you have mold present will make you ask the question, Are home mold test kits reliable?
Most mold testing involves taking a sample of either the air or a surface. Essentially, a mold inspector tests the air or surface to find out what kind of mold exists and/or if the mold found is able to grow in the area tested.
So, the question becomes again, Are home mold test kits reliable? Or, Should I hire a professional to test my home for mold?
So, to answer the question, Are home mold test kits reliable, the answer is, they can be. You just have to do your research and make sure you get that value added, quantifiable results.
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How To Test For Mold In Your House: A Complete Guide
There is no better detector of mold in a house than your own nose. Whether you can smell it yourself, or you or another house member begins to sneeze when they walk into a room, there may be a mold issue growing out of sight in a wall. Have no fear well go over all the things you need to know about mold and your health, where to look for mold, how to help prevent mold, and of course, how to test for mold. Lets dive right in.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Having Mold In Your House
Whether youre selling a home, preparing to buy one for the first time, or just performing regular maintenance, the issue of mold may worry you particularly if your home is in a damp environment.
In most cases, a typical home inspection wont include mold inspections and testing. You will need to hire a professional mold inspector to check your home for issues like black mold.
So, to help you understand whether or not you may need a home inspection for mold, weve put together this comprehensive guide that will help you understand the signs and symptoms of mold, know what next steps to take if you think you have mold issues, and provide you with other helpful information and tips that will help you deal with a potential mold problem.
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When To Call A Professional
If you have restrictive health conditions, its best to call a professional to perform a mold test. In many cases, mold may be concealed behind walls, in HVAC systems, under floors or in other moisture-prone places that are hard to access. Although DIY mold tests can be helpful, they are not always completely accurate. If you are concerned there is mold, a professional will be able to provide a thorough examination and explain remediation options.
Although some types of mold pose greater health risks than others, all mold problems should be addressed. That also includes getting to the root of the moisture problem to ensure mold doesnt make a return.
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How To Use A Mold Test Kit
If you have noticed any of the above indicators of a toxic mold infestation, there are two options at your disposal: either use a home test kit to test for mold yourself or hire professional mold testing and removal services. With visible signs as well as smells being common indicators of the presence of toxic mold, you will want to prioritize testing these areas.
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Zero Help From The Owner
Of course I informed my landlord about the problem, and he said that he would fix it, but he never did. After a couple of weeks, I realized that he probably had no intention of fixing the problem I believe that he was only interested in the property as an investment in the land and not the actual house.
As it turned out, the house needed a major facelift! I certainly wasnt going to spend my own time and money to fix the place. Sure, I had agreed to do some specific cosmetic work to the house, demolition and construction were not included! Not realizing what the true problem was, I simply sealed off the front room from the rest of the house.
Treating For Mold Illness
The main goal of healing from mold illness is to remove the mold from your body. If youre sick from mold, you most likely are in the 25% of the population that has the HLA gene that makes it extremely difficult for your body to find and remove the mold from your body by yourself.
Binders
One of the bodys main ways of removing toxins is through the liver and into the bile. The bile is excreted into your GI tract where it can be removed through bowel movements. If bile isnt removed from the body it will be reabsorbed and recycled as a way of maintaining energy efficiency.
This is why binders are ALWAYS used in treating mold. There are different types of binders for different types of mold, so knowing what type of mold youre dealing with is incredibly helpful here. The binders grab on to the bile so that it cant be recycled, and it is removed with the next bowel movement.
My preferred binder is BioToxin Binder by CellCore which you can grab here: www.cellcore.com with this code: HB6MKFS5
Going to the bathroom daily is also super important to healing from mold illness. For tips on improving bowel movements and eliminating constipation read my blog on constipation.
Gut healing
People with mold illness often have overgrowths of candida and bacteria in their gut so a gut healing protocol is another important step when dealing with mold illness.
Diet
Thyroid health
Detox
Hidden Infections
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Treating The Affected Areas
