When it comes to mold inspection, the first thing you should seek for is a mold testing firm that employs a licensed/professional mold inspector with considerable knowledge and expertise who uses updated and innovative technology and proven and tested tools. In an assessment for mold, humidity, and other contaminants at home, the quality of skill, knowledge, and training helps verify or reject the presence of any concerns that necessary to be fixed, especially in identifying hidden problems and attaining unbiased conclusions.
To consider which testing firm one should contact, here are certified tool kit or equipment that you may look for a mold inspector.
1. Moisture meter
Moisture meter is a portable instrument that detects moisture in surfaces such as flooring, drywall, and ceilings. Also, these accurate instruments aid in the non-invasive detection of active or residual moisture in building materials.
Mold can form in 24 to 48 hours when water is present in an organic-based substance like drywall or wood. The first step in treating a major problem is to locate an active water source in your property.
Moisture meters do not penetrate on material. Instead, they estimate the relative moisture level beneath the surface of a substance using a quick, non-invasive technology (typically radio frequency). This enables mold inspector to scan big areas fast while inflicting minimal damage on one’s property.
2. Tape Lift/Sample
Tape samples, also known as tape lifts, are frequently used to check for mold in a single location. These methods can identify the types of mold present and their concentrations, but only for the surface being examined, not for the overall interior environment. As a result, they can’t be utilized to determine the quality of indoor air
To use a tape sample, the mold inspector will place a clear adhesive tape (1 to 2 inches in size) on the suspected surface and pressure securely without scraping the tape to-and-fro. The mold inspector will next carefully remove the tape and place it on a microscope slide. The microscope slide will then be placed in a box and sent to a certified laboratory for microbiological evaluation.
3. Swab Surface Sampling
Swab surface sampling is a suitable choice when the sampling area is difficult to reach. Swab samples are generally instant and low-cost, and they deliver a definitive confirmation (yes or no ) about the existence of mold; however, like tape lifts, it cannot be used to measure or monitor indoor air quality.
To acquire a sample from the suspected region using a swab surface sample, the mold inspector will gently roll the swab over the surface. He will insert the swab in a tube and close the cover tightly after he has taken the sample. The swab sample is then delivered to a certified facility for analysis right away.
4. Infrared Camera
Mold inspection with an infrared camera is faster, safer, less expensive, and more accurate than most other approaches. Inspectors can be more efficient with such equipment because they don’t have to crawl into every area of your home looking for black mold or leaky pipes that lead to mold.
Basically, an infrared camera is used to scan the area in question and then wait for the camera to produce a thermogram, which takes about a minute. A thermogram is a color display that depicts the distinct heat signatures of all objects and surfaces in the camera’s field of view. Warmer temperatures are indicated by red, whereas cooler temperatures are indicated by blue.
As long as the person operating the camera is a professional thermographer who can properly interpret the results, he or she will be able to determine exactly where moisture and humidity levels are higher than normal, putting you in danger for mold.
More, because infrared cameras are precise, they will cause no damage to your home. As a result, there is no need to tear down walls or elevate floorboards to locate issues.
If you are looking for a mold testing firm who can provide a certified and quality service, Quest: https://quest-testing.com provides a complete package for making sure your home or business is safe from mold.
