Mold testing
Mold testing in North Georgia
A musty smell. A stain that keeps coming back. A leak you just found. I can sample the air and any visible growth, send the samples to an independent lab, and explain what the results mean and what to do next.
Buying a home? Add mold testing when you schedule your inspection
When testing helps
When mold testing helps, and when it doesn’t.
Mold needs moisture. If you can already see it, EPA says sampling usually isn’t needed; what matters is fixing the water problem and cleaning up the mold. I can still swab a visible spot so you know what it is, but no test takes the place of fixing the moisture.
Testing is most useful when there’s a specific question to answer:
- something smells musty but you can’t find the source
- there’s been a leak, a flood or a plumbing failure
- you’re buying a house with signs of past water or a disclosed mold history
Not sure? Text me what’s going on, and I’ll tell you whether testing makes sense.
How I test
How mold testing works: air samples, swabs and a lab.
I’m IAC2 Mold Certified (verify my listing). I use two kinds of samples:
- Air samples from inside the home, plus one from outside for comparison, so the lab has a baseline. How many inside depends on the size of the home.
- Surface swabs, when there’s visible growth, to show what’s growing on that spot.
The samples go to PRO-LAB, an independent laboratory, and results usually come back in about two business days. Shipping and weekends can stretch that (a sample taken on a Friday may not reach the lab until Monday), so tell me your deadline.
Before I sample, tell me what the house has been through: a burst pipe, a damp crawl space, a ceiling stain that came back after a repair. That tells me where to look hardest. Mold testing can be added to a home inspection or done on its own; for a test on its own, text or call me.
Results
What the lab results can, and can’t, tell you.
I share the lab’s results and go through them with you: what was found in the air and on the surfaces sampled, at those spots, on that day. An air sample is a snapshot.
There are no federal limits for mold in indoor air, so lab results are information, not a pass/fail verdict. It’s not a medical opinion either; if health is your concern, share the results with your doctor.
“I hired Owl’s Eye Home Inspection for mold detection after a recent water leak from upstairs. In addition to collecting air samples, George did a great job in explaining to me the impact and what to do to prevent further damage.”
Alex Jiang · Google review · Mold test after a leak Read the reviews on Google
What to do next
If there’s mold: fix the moisture, clean up, then check.
The order matters:
- Find and fix the moisture. If the water problem isn’t fixed, EPA says the mold will most likely come back. Depending on the source, that’s a job for a plumber, a roofer or a drainage contractor.
- Clean up. Small areas can often be cleaned by the homeowner; larger problems call for a mold remediation company.
- Check that it worked. Surface sampling after the cleanup can help show whether the area was cleaned up properly.
Other tests worth knowing about: radon testing and a sewer scope.
Questions
Mold testing questions.
Can you test for mold without a full home inspection?
Yes. I do mold testing on its own or with a home inspection. For a test on its own, text or call me to set it up.
How long do results take?
Usually about two business days. Shipping and weekends can add time; samples taken on a Friday may not reach the lab until Monday.
What if the house needs a mold cleanup?
Testing and cleanup are separate jobs. Small areas can often be cleaned by the homeowner; larger problems call for a mold remediation company. Sampling afterward can help show whether the cleanup worked.
Will testing tell me whether the house is safe?
It tells you what was found in the samples. There’s no federal pass/fail standard for mold, and lab results aren’t a medical finding. I’ll explain what the results show and what sensible next steps might be.
Should I test before buying a house?
If there’s a musty smell, signs of past water or a disclosed mold history, testing gives you real information before your deadline. If not, a home inspection is a good place to start: I check for moisture with a meter and an infrared camera, and you can add testing if something turns up. What to expect →
Where do you offer mold testing?
Anywhere I inspect, within about an hour and a half of Flowery Branch: Gainesville and Hall County, Lake Lanier, Gwinnett, metro Atlanta and the North Georgia mountains. Find your town →
Next step
When do you need your mold test?
Buying a home? Add mold testing when you schedule your inspection
Eyes open, not fingers crossed. — George
What happens next
Tell me the property address, what concerns you and when you need the results.
I confirm the visit, the price and when to expect results.
I collect the samples, and I explain the lab’s results when they come back.
You’ll know the price before you sign anything.