21 Mar Mold Testing + Indoor Air Quality Testing Tips
I’d like to talk a little bit about mold testing and indoor air quality testing; when and where would you have it done. When do you need to be concerned about having it versus not?
A lot of people have true mold concerns when they can visually see the mold. I’m not referring to surface mold like you would have In a bathroom, which is mold. People call it mildew. It sounds better. But all mildew is mold, not all mold is mildew.
Washing with soap and water is usually enough, a mild detergent solution handles mold in a bathroom. Using a squeegy and a towel will allow it to dry and will go a long way, and will prevent mold growth and will allow you to wash that mold off.
High humidity and condensation causes surface mold. Even on walls, exterior walls especially. Also on older home, apartments with single paint window glass, you can see condensation when it gets cold outside. The vapor pressure wants to bring that moisture in to that exterior wall. You need to keep your furiniture about 4-6 inches away from those walls, because exterior walls have to breathe because of that vapor pressure.
You also need to keep water away from your home so you are not watering your real estate. That’s a really bad idea. Mold testing is usually is only necessary when you have a health concern and you want to know specifically what type of mold you have.
Stay away from the bad test you can buy at your local appliance and hardware store. We suggest you get a third party accredited indoor air quality professional. Preferably ACA certified, or even an industrial hygienist and have them do the testing for you, with someone who understands the building science, the building envelope and how to do a sampling plan.