Generally speaking, mold testing is the collection of air or surface samples for lab analysis. Essentially, a mold inspector is “testing” the air or surface to determine mold levels and mold types present in the environment. This is often called “Sampling.”
Mold sampling can tell you if you have a mold problem in your New Jersey home or business. Sampling can also help to uncover a hidden mold problem, measure indoor air quality and identify the type of mold present in your indoor environment. If you suspect a potential mold problem in your New Jersey property, and you think you can benefit from mold testing, contact a professional mold inspector in New Jersey. Hiring a certified mold inspector to conduct professional mold sampling who is experienced at collecting and analyzing lab reports will always lead to the most accurate results. More importantly, a certified mold inspector is fully trained to conduct a thorough mold assessment with professional mold testing and provide context for the results of the mold testing.
Is Professional Mold Testing Necessary In My New Jersey Home?
There is often a lot of skepticism around professional mold testing. Fact is, it really depends on the particular situation. The EPA advises that “In most case, if mold is present and visible, sampling for mold is unnecessary. If the extent of the problem has been determined and the underlying moisture problem is resolved, the goal will be to remediate.” The following are some situations when mold testing might be a advised:
- When visible mold is not present, but the smell of mold is. A mold inspection with testing will help to reveal mold presence and track its location.
- When there has been a history of moisture problems (leaks, floods, etc.) and there is a suspicion that mold might be developing behind walls or under building materials. A mold inspection with testing can also determine is there is an elevated mold spore count in the air.
- When a mold remediation has been completed. Following a mold remediation, we recommend to have the space post-tested to ensure that the previous mold issues has been resolved and mold counts have returned to normal.
- When there are potential health concerns.
- When there is a need to meet a 3rd party requirement (i.e.: real estate transactions, tenant/landlord disputes, etc.)
- When a property owner suspects a possible mold problem, but is unsure.
- When a home or business owner has a general concern for mold and is interested in having the home assessed for a peace of mind.
Sampling for mold should be conducted by professionals who have specific experience in designing mold sampling protocols, sampling methods and interpreting results.
More Than Just Professional Mold Testing
We get calls at our South Jersey office all the time asking for “just testing, nothing else” or “just one sample in the one area that I see mold in the basement.” Simply put, mold testing is not that simple.
The most valuable part about hiring a mold inspector is not the testing, it is the full inspection itself. Mold samples are simply a snapshot of mold presence in one particular moment. That is why context is so important– and that is what a full mold inspection provides. Mold testing means very little without the support of a full mold inspection. The mold inspection process includes a full visual assessment, moisture mapping and thermal imaging to understand the environment and conditions in the environment that could be encouraging and sustaining continuous mold growth. The information gathered during the visual assessment, moisture mapping and thermal imaging will help your mold inspector to develop an adequate sampling plan.
For example, if mold testing confirms the elevated presence of mold in your New Jersey home, the information gathered through a visual assessment, moisture mapping and thermal imaging will help your inspector determine the moisture source that caused the mold in the first place, how many areas it has affected and to what extent. All this information is incredibly useful to understand the full extent of the mold problem, what caused it, how safely remove it, and how to effectively prevent it from returning.
Bottom line, the information gathered during the visual assessment, moisture mapping and thermal imaging is equally important to the testing. Sometimes, it is even more valuable than the testing.
Importance of Hiring a Mold Inspector For Professional Mold Testing in New Jersey
Mastertech Environmental is fully trained and certified to provide thorough mold inspections with professional mold testing in New Jersey with detailed reports and documentation. Our technicians are fully equipped with and trained to use the most advanced tools to ensure an accurate and thorough mold inspection and mold testing. Each mold inspection includes a full visual assessment, moisture mapping with thermal imaging cameras and moisture meters, mold testing and a full detailed report of findings. If mold presence is confirmed, we will develop a scope of work that will be tailored to your specific mold removal needs. Learn more about our mold inspection and mold sampling services in New Jersey by calling 609-948-8844.
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