Services

What happens during the inspection?

I come to your home with a microscope, air sampler, moisture meter, and other specialized equipment. I begin by collecting several direct air samples from different areas of the house and examining them under the microscope immediately after sampling.

If I detect signs of airborne mold contamination, I start looking for visibly moldy surfaces. To confirm whether these suspect areas are truly moldy and to identify the mold type, I take tape-lift samples and examine them microscopically. I also analyze tape samples from surfaces where the homeowner suspects mold growth.

Inspections typically include microscopic analysis of settled dust tape samples, infrared scanning of surfaces, moisture measurements in building materials, and other diagnostic methods depending on the situation.

Ultimately, my goal is to evaluate mold conditions in the residence, determine why the mold is growing, and provide recommendations for how to correct the problem.

Inspections do take time - expect to reserve a full day for a mid-sized house. The time required varies with each property, as every inspection involves unknown conditions. In general, the larger, older, or more complex your home is, the longer the inspection will take.

What should I do before my inspection?

I want to assess your home under its normal air conditions - not unusually clean or unusually dusty. If you use air purifiers, please turn them off the night before the inspection, unless doing so would negatively affect your health. Cleaner-than-usual air makes it harder to interpret results accurately.

Avoid doing anything that might stir up dust before the inspection:

• Do not move heavy items or clean surfaces.
• Do not vacuum unless you have a true HEPA vacuum, and even then, it is better to wait until after the inspection.

Please keep windows closed overnight before the inspection so outdoor spores do not affect indoor samples. Briefly opening doors to enter or exit is fine.

Also, try to avoid mowing the lawn just before the inspection, as freshly cut grass can release spores that may confuse indoor air microscopy results, especially late in the mowing season.

Aren't molecular tools, such as ERMI, better?

ERMI testing provides more detailed fungal identification, but it is also more expensive. Because of this, only one or two samples are usually sent for analysis. ERMI gives a good overall picture of the home's fungal environment, but it does not explain where the mold is growing, what caused it, or how to fix it.

ERMI can be a useful complement to my inspections. If mold contamination seems unlikely but you still want confirmation, it may make sense to start with ERMI testing before scheduling a full mold inspection.

Do you perform mold remediations?

No - I perform inspections and diagnostics only, not remediation.

Can you recommend a mold remediation company?

To some extent, yes. I have observed the work of several remediation companies and can share insights based on my experience.

More information

You can hear more details in my conversation with Dr. Kogan from GW CIM in this podcast: listen on YouTube.