How Accurate Are Air Mold Tests?

You may not see mold spreading in your home. Yet, you may be able to smell it or sense it in the air. Naturally, you may be inclined to get a cheap mold test on Amazon (in favor of scheduling an indoor air quality inspection), but you should first think about it. Not all mold tests are equally accurate, and despite the way they’re advertised, are not easy to perform.

In today’s post, we’ll explore the topic of mold tests, and answer the question of how accurate air mold tests are.

How to Test for Mold

There are many methods of mold testing, but the most commonly used methods are:

• Surface testing
• Air sample testing

The first one involves collecting a sample from an area afflicted with mold with a piece of clear tape or a swab. Air sample testing, as the name suggests, is done by pulling air through a device that collects any mold samples in the air.

Professional mold testing typically involves taking samples and sending them to a lab, where trained technicians will determine if the mold levels fall within the acceptable range. In contrast, DIY kits typically use settle plates that require the provided dish to be out for a specific time so spores can fall in.

Are Air Mold Tests Reliable?

Since you’re wondering how accurate are air mold tests, you’re probably willing to give them a try. 

Sadly, even though they’re marketed as easy to use if you don’t have prior experience dealing with mold, you could mess it up, and the test could generate inaccurate results. For instance, you may simply use the test in the wrong location, which could lead to a wrong reading. 

It’s also pretty easy to get inaccurate results or false positives if you read the test wrong. This could lead to making uninformed decisions that could harm you or your family, or you may simply schedule expensive remediation without needing it. 

Furthermore, since Florida is known for its humidity, a certain level of mold is to be expected. As such, DIY tests are inaccurate by design, as they won’t give an accurate picture of the mold present in your home. 

DIY tests are also limited in scope as they lack crucial information. For example, with home tests, you have no idea where the mold is coming from, its type, and whether it’s toxic. Without scheduling a full indoor air quality inspection, you’ll have no idea if the mold in your is a problem. 

In conclusion, home air mold tests are mostly inaccurate. Even if the DIY test kit shows that you have a problem, it could be a result of natural spores that are always present in the environment, and as such, you can’t use them to make informed decisions on mold remediation. 

What Are The Acceptable Levels of Mold?

While the idea of mold in your home may sound scary, each environment has an acceptable level of mold. Not all mold is toxic, so finding signs of mold spores in your home doesn’t mean you’re in danger. 

Spores can live in various conditions, so they aren’t dangerous until they end up on a wet surface where they can multiply - forming a full-fledged colony.

To ensure the best results, professional home inspectors take samples of outside air along with the samples of the air indoors. Both samples are taken to the laboratory where specialists will compare the samples against each other. A spore count that’s the same indoors as outdoors will fall into the acceptable range of mold concentrations.

Signs You Need Mold Testing

So how do you know if you need to schedule a professional mold inspection? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you may think.

Sure, if you spot an obvious mold colony, you can call a remediation company without conducting air mold testing first. However, a mold colony may not be clearly visible, in which case you should schedule a mold inspection first. Here are some clear signs you may need to schedule professional mold testing:

• You’re experiencing physical symptoms: an increase in respiratory issues, sudden shortness of breath, or you notice your skin is dry are all indications of mold growth. 
• Your home smells musty: there’s a stale, musty smell lingering in your home and you can’t identify the source.
• Your wallpaper is peeling: any bubbling or peeling sections could be a sign of mold hiding behind the surface of the wallpaper.
• You suffered recent water damage: any water intrusion should be followed up with a mold inspection. If any area in your home got wet and wasn’t dried promptly, it may increase the chances of a mold colony developing.
• You’re buying a new home: whenever you’re purchasing a property, you should schedule mold testing along with the regular home inspection. 
• You recently conducted mold remediation: if you recently had a professional remove and treat mold in your home, you should schedule a mold inspection to check if the problem has been resolved. 

Do You Suspect Mold is hiding in Your Home?

Mold is not a laughing matter, so instead of relying on inaccurate DIY mold tests, you should hire a professional to check out your home instead. 

Since even a slight increase in humidity levels can turn into a major health hazard, you shouldn’t risk it. 

Here at Certified Inspectors, we offer a comprehensive indoor air quality inspection, more commonly referred to as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) testing. 

By scheduling one now, you can get an unmatched level of service and receive an extra amount of value for your money. Our test checks for more than 500 airborne contaminants and covers more than 2,000 square feet, so if you’re truly serious about improving your indoor air quality, this inspection is the proper first step. 

To keep your family safe, call +1 561-570-6311 or fill out our contact form.