The Mold Inspection Process
Have you ever found furry white patches growing on your favourite fruits
? Do you smell a musty odour in your bathroom? Are your shower curtains discoloured in certain areas? The cause of all of these things is mold growth. Mold, or microscopic fungi, grows favorably in damp, and humid conditions. Health hazards like allergies, respiratory problems, itchy eyes, follow inevitably from exposure to mold. Attics, basements, bathrooms, crawl spaces, kitchens, windows, and seals on refrigerator doors are some of the most vulnerable places for mold growth due to their increased exposure to moisture. As such, mold inspections in the form of visual inspections and indoor air quality (IAQ) testing are highly recommended by environmentalists and health specialists to find out whether or not your home has an air quality problem.
A
visual inspection is the most common way to test for mold. During a visual inspection, mold testing professionals look for signs of microbial activity, water stains, moisture intrusion, and musty odours from room to room. This process involves checking suspected areas with a moisture metre or thermal imaging camera to detect further moisture in and behind walls. Relative humidity and temperature measurements also often provide useful clues for resolving mold testing issues.
Surface sampling is the best method of mold testing when youre dealing with surfaces. The following are the three most popular surface sampling techniques:
Swab: Swabs are used for
mold testing of a non-porous surface. Here, the moldy area is gently swabbed by a cotton swab. Afterwards, the swab is inserted into the tub of a buffer and sent to a government-accredited laboratory within 24 hours of the taking the sample. The sample is analysed either with a fungi screen or culture analysis. A recognised laboratory should always perform the mold testing procedures to ensure accurate results.
Bulk: Collecting bulk samples is appropriate for testing porous materials. According to Titanium Laboratories, 25-50 grams of a substance is usually collected by a utility knife with a clean blade. A standard zip-lock type bag is used to store the bulk sample. A recognised laboratory then analyzes the bulk sample with either a fungi screen or a culture analysis.
Tape: When youre dealing with a small surface, a piece of clear tape is typically used to collect the sample. This sample is then analyzed either with a fungi screen or a culture analysis. Once again, an accredited laboratory should perform the mold testing to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Air Sampling: Air sampling is the most effective method of mold testing. Air sampling helps to determine whether or not the environment surrounding the moldy area has become unhealthy as well. Laboratories like Titanium often use Air-O-Cell cassettes and/or MEA (Malt Extract Augur) for their air sampling procedures, depending on the situation.
In fact, throughout the mold testing phase an inspector is on the lookout for three major issues:
Evidence of previous moisture intrusion,
Evidence of mold growth, and
Areas with a potential for future mold infestation.
Mold Busters is Canadas leading mold remediation company, offering quality mold inspection services using the latest mold testing equipment such as particle counters, moisture metres, carbon dioxide metres, air sampling pumps, infrared cameras, HEPA filters, and so on.
by: Andrey Golubev
Qualities You Should Look For In A Pediatric Dentist How To Dispose Of Lice: Not Complicated Tips Tips On How To Get Rid Of Dark Circles Swiftly Mysore - Wonderful Holiday Qualities You Should Look For In A Pediatric Dentist Everything You Need To Know About Bath Seats For Elderly Tips On How To Get Rid Of Dark Circles Swiftly Leather: A Celebrity Royalty Mysore - Wonderful Holiday Comparing Carpet Cleaning Methods Everything You Need To Know About Bath Seats For Elderly Leather: A Celebrity Royalty Hyperbaric Options Offering Top Hyperbaric Chamber Products At Industry-low Prices