3 Tips To Prepare For Mold Testing

Exposure to certain types of mold can cause serious health problems. The only way to determine whether or not your home is free from harmful mold strains is to conduct a mold test.

Mold testing requires that a technician collect samples of the air inside your home. In order to ensure that the results of your mold test are correct, you must prepare your home for the testing process.

Here are three tips that you can use to get your home ready for mold testing in the future.

1. Avoid Any Landscaping

It's best to avoid doing any landscaping activities in the days leading up to your mold test.

Inspectors utilize the air outside your home to establish a baseline for their testing process. Landscaping activities like mowing your lawn or weeding your garden can stir up any mold located in your yard. This excess mold can skew the baseline readings during your mold testing.

By waiting to engage in any landscaping activities until after mold testing is complete, you will be able to obtain the most accurate results possible.

2. Avoid Using Water

You should avoid using any water inside your home in the hours leading up to your mold testing. The use of water can make it more challenging for a mold inspector to identify the source of any plumbing leaks that could be contributing to toxic mold growth in your home.

It's best to consult with your mold inspector to determine how far in advance of your mold testing you need to stop using water in your home.

Your inspector will be able to advise you on your water use to help achieve the most accurate results when conducting a mold test within your home.

3. Avoid Air Treatment Devices

If you use a humidifier, air filter, or another type of air treatment device, you should avoid using these devices before your mold test.

Many air treatment devices help to remove contaminants from the air inside your home. Mold spores are often included in the list of contaminants that are removed by air treatment devices.

If you leave your devices running, the mold test will not reveal how much mold is actually in your home. Instead, it will only measure the mold left behind after your indoor air is filtered.

Ask your mold inspector how long you should avoid running your air treatment devices prior to your mold testing to ensure accurate results.

Share