Air Quality & Mold Testing
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Concerned about Mold in your Home?
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Let us take a look!
- Concerned about Mold in your Home? - Let us take a look!
The 5 Steps to Air Quality Testing
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1) Identify Areas of Concern
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2) Collect Multiple Samples
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3) Process Samples at the Lab
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4) Review Results & Levels Detected
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5) Make an Action / Remediation Plan
Testing Options
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Air Quality testing is great for those looking to determine what types of spores are coating around in the air of their home
First, we perform a visual (non-destructive) inspection of the home to identify areas that may may have poor ventilation or could be allowing moisture to enter, and if there are any signs of active (or previous) water intrusion that may be creating a mold rich environment.
Next, we collect air samples using our state-of-the-art self-calibrating air pump. The first sample is taken on the exterior of the home creating a baseline for the environment in and around the home.
Then, additional samples are taken inside the home. The number of samples depends on the square footage & layout of the home - to determine if elevated levels of airborne spores are present.
The samples are shipped to our partner lab for analysis and results are returned in 2-4 days.
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Upgrade to our Air Quality & Surface Sampling Package to receive a comprehensive examination of your home.
First, we perform a visual (non-destructive) inspection of the home to identify areas that may may have poor ventilation or could be allowing moisture to enter, and if there are any signs of active (or previous) water intrusion that may be creating a mold rich environment.
In areas where poor ventilation, water intrusion or moisture issues are found, surface samples will be taken to determine the type of growth present.
Next, we collect air samples using our state-of-the-art self-calibrating air pump. The first sample is taken on the exterior of the home creating a baseline for the environment in and around the home. Additional samples are taken inside the home (the number of samples depends on the square footage & layout of the home) to determine if elevated levels of airborne mold spores are present.
All samples are shipped to our partner lab for analysis and results are returned in 2-4 days.
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Surface sampling includes taking physical tape or swab samples of visual microbial growth in and around the home in order to determine the specific type of growth present.
Wherever visual microbial growth is found during a home inspection, commonly in areas such as the attic, basement, crawlspace, bathroom, kitchen, etc, a sample will be taken.
The cost of the inspection includes 4 samples and your inspector will advise you on whether additional samples may be needed based on the current conditions of your home.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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It depends on where the home is located.
If your home is located in Maine or Massachusetts, the way that the real estate contracts are written, you are allowed to get ANY type of home inspection or testing services you desire completed during your inspection contingency period.
If you're in New Hampshire, as long as the air quality inspection has been written onto your purchase and sale agreement, you are all set. If your purchase and sale agreement does not include air quality, the request will need to be run through both the buyer agent and sellers agent in order to ensure that it will be an allowed inspection, for informational purposes only and/or included as apart of your due diligence in the contract.
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Testing is recommended if you notice musty odors, water damage, visible mold, or have specific mold related health issues.
If you answer YES to any of the following, testing is for you:"
Does your home have a finished basement?
Do you see mold or smell a musty odor anywhere in your home?
Has the home had any water damage or previous leaking (from the roof, plumbing, bathroom, etc.)?
Has the home been vacant or “closed up” for an extended period?
Do you have health issues that relate to air quality or sensitivity to mold & allergens?
Our testing will help identify mold, allergens, and other contaminants that can affect your health and the indoor air quality that you breathe everyday.
Learn more about our different services above.
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Air quality testing analyzes the particulates and potential contaminants—like mold spores, allergens, and dust—in the air you breathe. It’s ideal for identifying airborne issues that can affect your health, especially in areas with musty odors or known moisture problems.
Surface sample testing, on the other hand, involves swabbing visible growth or residues on walls, floors, or other materials to determine if substances like mold or bacteria are present on that specific surface.
In short: air testing tells you what you’re breathing, while surface testing tells you what’s growing on visible areas.
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The short answer is no.
Air quality and surface testing is a non-invasive starting point for investigation into the levels of microbial growth that a home has.
If elevated airborne or surface spore levels are present, it is then recommended that further (more destructive) investigation be conducted to determine the extent and cause.
As a home inspection company regulated by several states and standards of practice, we are not allowed to use ‘destructive methods’ during our investigation of a home.
Non-invasive air quality and surface testing is our way to provide the most amount of information to our clients possible by our state standards to alert them of potential issues inside a home.
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The cost is based on the type of testing selected and home itself.
Each air sample taken covers approximately 800-1000 square feet of living space - so depending on the size and configuration (multiple floors of living, presence of a basement) of the home you may need more (or less) samples.
The price for surface sampling includes four testing swabs or tape strips but depends on the condition and extend of growth present, additional samples may want to be added at an additional cost.
