Are Mold Test Kits Reliable?

Finding mold in your home or business is always a cause for alarm. If you’re worried about toxic black mold, you might rush to buy a test kit to find out how bad your mold problem is. But how accurate are mold tests? Are home mold test kits reliable? How do you know when you need lab testing? Let the experts at My Pure Environment explain why our professional mold inspections are far more accurate than any mold test you can buy.

How accurate are mold test kits?

DIY mold test kits collect airborne mold spores on a sticky surface. However, measuring airborne spores doesn’t always provide an accurate representation of the mold growing in your home or workplace. Since mold is so prevalent, many types of spores could be floating around in the air, whether or not indoor mold is present.

The EPA has not established any regulations or standards for measuring mold spores as an air pollutant. In fact, it’s nearly impossible to measure airborne mold spores because their density varies so greatly from day to day and place to place. You might have more mold on rainy days or a different type of mold in your basement than in your bathroom.

I found mold in my home—should I get a mold test?

Visible mold is always a problem. If you see mold, you don’t need a test kit, you need mold remediation. A test kit won’t help resolve the issue. First, you’ll need to identify the source of the problem, whether it’s a leak, condensation, or water damage from a flood. Then, you’ll need to make any necessary structural repairs and schedule professional mold removal services to get rid of mold for good.

If you’ve noticed other signs of mold, like a musty smell or allergy symptoms that never seem to go away, there could be hidden mold in your home. You could try a mold test kit, but how will you know if the results are accurate? Will you know how to interpret the results, or what action you should take next? If you want reliable mold testing, it’s much better to trust in a trained professional.

When would I need professional mold testing?

Mold testing determines what strains of mold are present in the sample. Many types of mold look alike, so lab testing is useful to find out exactly what types of mold you’re dealing with. Testing also reveals any toxic or allergenic molds that could pose health hazards. If you are suffering from what you believe to be a mold allergy or mold-related illness, knowing which strains are present could help your doctor make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

How much does a mold inspection cost?

At My Pure Environment, we offer an initial inspection at zero cost to you!

Our free mold inspection includes:

• Onsite consultation with one of our experts
• A visual inspection of your entire home or business (inside and outside, bottom to top)
• Our professional recommendations for resolving the mold issue

If you need lab testing, it’s included in our complete inspection, which starts at $399. We take samples from the air, from surfaces, and from accumulated dust to make a full spectrum analysis. The samples are tested by an independent, third-party lab, so you know the results will be accurate.

Home mold test kits may seem like an inexpensive alternative, but a $20 kit could come with additional lab fees of $40 or more per sample. And, given that home test kits only measure airborne spores, they simply aren’t an accurate representation of the type of mold or the amount of mold you’re dealing with.

Professional Mold Testing in Santa Clara

If you’re concerned about mold in your home or workplace, don’t rely on a home test kit’s accuracy. Schedule a free mold inspection with the experts at My Pure Environment. Our highly trained team will investigate and let you know if you need professional mold testing and remediation. Call us at (408) 549-8926 or make an appointment online.

Photo by Girl with red hat on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 3/28/2022.