Mold can be a serious issue in any home, and it’s understandable to want to take matters into your own hands by using an in-home test kit from a hardware store. However, as mold remediation experts, we must caution against relying solely on these kits to determine if you have a mold problem in your home.
One common test that people use is the petri dish test. While this test can show you that there are things growing in the air, it is not an accurate indicator of whether or not you have a mold problem. This is because mold spores are *ubiquitous and can be found in the air at any time. Another in-home test kit is an air quality test, which is more accurate than the petri dish test, but it can still give a false negative, which means you may think you don’t have a mold problem when you actually do.
There are several factors to consider when testing for mold in your home, such as whether the mold is active and sporing when the test is being done, whether the air conditioning is running during testing, whether you want to swab surfaces for landed mold spores, and whether you are in the location where the mold source is the worst. You also need to do a sample outside to act as a standard for what should be inside. If you’re not experienced in mold remediation, it can be difficult to know which factors to consider and how to interpret the results.
It’s important to remember that a mold inspector is licensed and trained in this area. They have to do continuing education classes every couple of years to keep up with anything new in the field. There’s a reason why they are required to be licensed to tell you if you have a mold issue in your home. A professional mold inspection can give you a more accurate picture of whether or not you have a mold problem and the extent of the problem.
In conclusion, while in-home mold test kits may be tempting, they may not provide an accurate representation of whether or not you have a mold problem in your home. It’s best to get a professional mold inspection to ensure that any mold issues in your home are identified and addressed promptly. For more information on the signs of a mold problem in your home, please visit the Mold University page on our website.
