What happens during the inspection?
I come to a house with a microscope, air sampler, moisture meter and some other equipment. I start by taking several direct air samples in different parts of the house and doing microscopy immediately after sampling. If I find areas with signs of mold contamination in the air, I start looking for moldy surfaces macroscopically. To make sure that tentatively moldy areas are truly moldy and for identification of the type of mold, I do microscopy of tape samples. I also look at tape samples from surfaces where the customer suspects moldiness. Inspections usually also include microscopy of settled dust tape samples, scanning of surfacing with infrared-camera, moisture measuring in materials and some other methods depending on the situation. Ultimately, my goal is to evaluate mold conditions in the residence, find the reasons why this mold grows, and give recommendations about how the situation can be fixed.
How much do inspections cost and how much time do they take?
Depending on the size of the residence and complexity of the problem inspections cost from $300 to $700. They usually take from 2 to 6 hours. These prices include a written report, which I normally provide within two weeks from the inspection. If you do not need the report, the cost will be about 40% less.
Aren't molecular tools, such as ERMI, better?
ERMI is better for fungal identification but more expensive. Therefore usually only one or two samples are sent for analysis. It gives a good overall picture about the conditions in the house but it does not explain where exactly the mold is growing, what caused it, and how to deal with it ERMI could be a good compliment to my inspections. If moldiness is very unlikely in a house but you want to confirm it, then it might be better to start with ERMI before requesting a mold inspection.
Do you perform mold remediations?
No.
Can you recommend a mold remediation company?
To some extent, yes. I have seen work of a few remediation companies.
I come to a house with a microscope, air sampler, moisture meter and some other equipment. I start by taking several direct air samples in different parts of the house and doing microscopy immediately after sampling. If I find areas with signs of mold contamination in the air, I start looking for moldy surfaces macroscopically. To make sure that tentatively moldy areas are truly moldy and for identification of the type of mold, I do microscopy of tape samples. I also look at tape samples from surfaces where the customer suspects moldiness. Inspections usually also include microscopy of settled dust tape samples, scanning of surfacing with infrared-camera, moisture measuring in materials and some other methods depending on the situation. Ultimately, my goal is to evaluate mold conditions in the residence, find the reasons why this mold grows, and give recommendations about how the situation can be fixed.
How much do inspections cost and how much time do they take?
Depending on the size of the residence and complexity of the problem inspections cost from $300 to $700. They usually take from 2 to 6 hours. These prices include a written report, which I normally provide within two weeks from the inspection. If you do not need the report, the cost will be about 40% less.
Aren't molecular tools, such as ERMI, better?
ERMI is better for fungal identification but more expensive. Therefore usually only one or two samples are sent for analysis. It gives a good overall picture about the conditions in the house but it does not explain where exactly the mold is growing, what caused it, and how to deal with it ERMI could be a good compliment to my inspections. If moldiness is very unlikely in a house but you want to confirm it, then it might be better to start with ERMI before requesting a mold inspection.
Do you perform mold remediations?
No.
Can you recommend a mold remediation company?
To some extent, yes. I have seen work of a few remediation companies.