Do You Know the Expensive Mistake Your Neighbors Made When They Found a Mold Problem in their Home?

Let’s say you’re chatting with a neighbor about home maintenance.

You admire each other’s leafless gutters. You exchange tips on winterizing lawn sprinkler systems.

Then, they casually mention that they found a minor mold problem in their basement – and that they took care of it themselves.

“We used a mold testing kit that we bought at the hardware store, that way we knew exactly what we were dealing with.”

They kindly offer to explain the mold kit process to you – just in case you might have a similar problem in the future.

But you already know they wasted their money.

You also know that they may have made their mold problem worse.

9 Reasons Home Mold Test Kits are Worthless Scams

“Home test kits are not a controlled method of testing,” says Bayne. “They will grow mold almost 100% of the time in almost every environment. With mold testing, you must have a baseline to compare your results to.  You also must have comparable sample volumes and media for all molds.”

There are a lot of other reasons to avoid these kits.

“Sampling for mold should be conducted by professionals who have specific experience in designing mold sampling protocols, sampling methods, and interpreting results. Sample analysis should follow analytical methods recommended by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), or other professional organizations.”

“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 .”

By the time it’s said and done, you might’ve spent

All for nothing.

Professional Mold Sampling Actually Works

Home mold testing kits are a waste of money.

Professional mold testing, on the other hand, is valuable in specific situations.

When sampling is truly necessary, A1 Mold Testing & Remediation uses certified procedures for the job.

Tape/Swab sampling (referred to as surface sampling) is the most basic sampling procedure. It can provide valuable information such as:

Professional surface sampling is fast, easy, and relatively inexpensive.

It’s important to note, though, that surface sampling doesn’t give you a full picture of a mold problem:

In addition to tape sampling A1 Mold Testing & Remediation also performs Air Sampling , which may help determine airborne mold concentrations.

We collect a background sample from the exterior as a baseline and then indoor samples as necessary.  Each sampling regime is formulated for the particular project that we are working on.  As with remediation, no two sampling regimes are the same.  Each regime is specifically designed for the project.  Air sampling can provide very useful data in identifying a potential mold problem that may not be visible.

Call for Guidance in Mold Testing

These are just a few of the many factors to consider in mold sampling. We haven’t even touched on the most important part – how sample results guide the cleanup and remediation process.

A1’s owner and general manager, Dave Bayne, can evaluate your mold challenges and determine whether mold testing is necessary. Call him now and ask about his sampling procedures. He’ll be happy to explain.

As for that mold kit you already bought from the hardware store? If you haven’t opened it, hold onto your receipt – return it and get your money back.

Do You Know the Expensive Mistake Your Neighbors Made When They Found a Mold Problem in their Home?

A1 Mold Testing