Mold Testing & Indoor Air Quality
Mold is just another defect. It is similar to almost any other defect found during a home inspection, such as a bad roof or an air conditioning system that has failed. However, when you have a family member who is sensitive to mold, finding and eradicating it becomes a top priority. The experts at The Real Estate Inspection Company can verify whether or not mold is a problem in your home with a mold inspection. Call (800) 232-5180 or schedule now. We serve San Diego and the surrounding areas.
When Should a Mold Test Be Performed?
Schedule an appointment with our mold inspector in the following situations:
Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing.
Thorough Mold Testing
Air samples are used when odors are present or simply to determine the concentration of mold spores or allergens in the air. We perform mold sampling according to the Standards of Practice of the International Association of Certified Indoor Air Consultants (IAC2).
The Process of Mold Testing
When a client authorizes us to proceed with mold testing, we begin the following process.- An experienced professional will inspect the entire house to find any areas that may be contributing to a potential mold issue. Our home inspectors are all certified to perform these inspections. They are also equipped better than most “mold inspectors” who simply perform a brief visual inspection. Our inspectors have seen it all and know where to look for moisture. The physical evaluation is a critical step in determining if a house has a mold problem.
- We prepare the house for testing and set up the equipment to collect air and/or physical samples. We recommend the minimum number of air samples we think are required to get the results you need, as dictated by the Standards of Practice.
- The samples are then prepared along with the chain of custody forms and delivered or shipped to the lab. This is a time-consuming process which assures the most accurate results possible.
- Charges for samples will be billed at the time of the inspection with the client’s prior approval regarding the number of samples. The client will be consulted and will have the final say as to how many additional samples will be taken If needed. Please see our pricing page.
Our inspections tell the story of your house.
The Black Mold/Toxic Mold Hype
There are many types of mold that all have varying effects on your house and on people’s health. There really is no such thing as “toxic” or “black” mold. Those terms are used generically and are often used to scare people into expensive remediation. The truth is that different molds can have different effects on different people. But one thing holds true — mold can physically damage a house by weakening the wood.
Why Is There Such a Difference in Mold Testing Prices from One Company to Another?
While we can’t speak for other companies, we can simply say that the varying pricing is simply a matter of marketing. Some companies do not charge for a visual inspection but charge a much greater price for each sample. Others charge a big inspection fee and slightly smaller per-sample charge. Our pricing is simply based on the additional time it takes to perform a visual assessment over and above the home inspection and the price per samples.
Schedule Mold Testing Today
For mold testing and all of your inspection needs, you can trust the experts at The Real Estate Inspection Company. Since 2004, we’ve been serving San Diego County, Orange County, and Riverside County.
