Why a DIY Mold Testing Kit Can't Replace a Professional Inspection

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

Here’s Why

There’s a lot of debate as to the accuracy of home mold testing kits, but even the most accurate DIY kit can’t match the benefits of a professional mold investigation. 

1. A Professional Will Conduct More Thorough Testing

The testing process for a typical mold kit consists of placing a Petri dish in a single location in your home and waiting for mold to accumulate. An environmental hygienist, on the other hand, will take samples from surfaces and from the air in multiple locations throughout your home. He or she will also collect control samples to establish the normal mold levels for a home in Fort Myers Shores, FL, which are likely different than what's "normal" for a home in another part of the country. The lab results from a DIY mold kit will tell you how many mold spores were found. However, these numbers are meaningless unless you understand what constitutes a “normal” count.

2. A Professional Will Perform a Complete Home Inspection

A mold expert will inspect your home to discover any visible signs of mold and to identify possible sources of excess moisture, like leaks, condensation, or humidity. Mold professionals have extensive knowledge of home plumbing and ventilation systems and can locate sources that most people would miss.

3. A Professional Will Create an Action Plan

An environmental hygienist will consider your mold testing results, together with his or her findings from the visual inspection, to determine what needs to happen next. If you’re working with a full-service mold remediation company, they will create and carry out a plan to eliminate the moisture source and remove the existing mold, if necessary. A mold expert can also advise you about how to avoid future mold outbreaks.

DIY mold testing kits may seem like an inexpensive alternative to professional mold inspections, but these kits offer only a fraction of the benefits when compared to the real deal.