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»History of Mould
»Water & Moisture
“I think I have mould in my house, should I have my house tested?”
This is one of the most often asked questions from our clients and the answer is not as easy as a “yes” or “no“.
Even the EPA states “Is sampling for mold needed? In most cases, if visible mold growth is present, sampling is unnecessary. Since no EPA or other federal limits have been set for mold or mold spores, sampling cannot be used to check a building’s compliance with federal mold standards.” (https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-testing-or-sampling)
There are many factors that must be considered by the Certified Indoor Environmental Consultants at AMEI; the most important first step is to allow the Certified Inspectors to conduct the inspection of the property. It is through the expertise, knowledge, training, and understanding of how moisture impacts building materials that allows the Certified Inspectors to locate the “problem” areas. It is important to remember that mould growth is always the result of a moisture problem and we will identify the source(s) of moisture impacting the structure.
It is also important to remember that airborne mould spores are a part of our everyday lives. Simply identifying airborne mould spores via non-culturable air sampling is not always an indication that there is a “mould problem” within the structure. The experts with AMEI can help you determine IF the collection of air, surface, and/or bulk samples is beneficial in your specific situation.
According to AIHA, “Should I test my home for mold on a routine basis? Probably not. Looking for evidence of water damage and visible mold growth should be your first step. Testing for mold is expensive, and you should have a clear reason for doing so. In addition, there are no standards for “acceptable” levels of mold in the indoor environment.” (https://www.aiha.org/publications-and-resources/TopicsofInterest/Hazards/Pages/Facts-About-Mold.aspx)