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    • The Ultimate Guide to Mold Removal & Prevention
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New Jersey's
Mold Testing Specialist

Mold Testing and Inspecting are two totally different services that give you very different results. It is important to know the difference! An inexpensive mold test that doesn’t give you the answers you are looking for is a waste of one’s time and budget.

CALL (732) 223-2073 TODAY

Mold Have You Worried?

Mold Testing

There are many types of mold tests available to help identify the organisms we are dealing with. Testing is very helpful, for molds

  • Presence Absence

  • Visible Mold TESTS (Bulk, Tape or Swab Test)

  • Air Tests (Standard)

  • ERMI Test

  • ARMI Test

  • MSQ / PCR

  • Petri Dish tests

  • Mold Clearance Testing

1. Presence Absence

Simple swab applicator with reagent detects mold protein. If it’s green it’s clean. Does not identify type of mold, but gives good indication of cleanliness after a formal mold remediation or if isolated water stains are contaminated with mold.

Mold Presence/Absence Test Pen
Mold Test Tack Sample

2. Visible Mold Tests (Bulk, Tape or Swab Test)

Do you see a dark area that you suspect is mold? If so, a standard Bulk, Tape or Swab test can identify this mold. A Bulk sample of the material is great (but not always practical) where the next best is a Tape Lift. Swab samples tend to destroy the organism making it hard to identify under a microscope.

3. Air Tests (Standard)

Using a small low-flow air pump, a predetermined volume of air is taken and analyzed against a control sample. Depending on the particulate debris loading, different volumes of air are used. A dusty environment (like an attic or crawl space) may overload a larger air sample where a small 25L sample is best. But a very clean office usually needs more air where a 75L sample would be collected. Air flow speed is critical because a fast draw of air tends to destroy these delicate organisms.

Testing Equipment

4. ERMI Test

The Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) was originally developed by the US Environmental protection Agency (EPA) and is based on dust samples collected throughout a home or building. Thirty Six (36) different fungi make up the ERMI test and are species specific. There are two types of mold groups:Group I (Water damaged homes) and Group II (commonly found in all homes). ERMI does not help identify the mold “Ground Zero” or what the water trigger is. And many times, ERMI does not give you all the answers you are looking for.

5. ARMI Test

The ARMI is an acronym for American Relative Moldiness Index. This test is a more cost efficient version of the ERMI testing but is not as thorough.  This test correlates with the ERMI for predicting the moldiness of homes. 13 different fungi make up the ARMI and are designated a group 1 (water damaged homes)and group 2 (commonly found in all homes). The fungi identified in the ARMI tests are: Stachybotrys chartarum, Chaetomium globosum, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, Aspergillus versicolor, Eurotium (A.) amstalodami, Penicillium variabile, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus restrictus, Penicillium crustosum, Penicillium purpurogenum, Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium corylophilum,

6. MSQ / PCR

Mold Specific Quantitative (MSQ) Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) air testing. Is a fast DNA based analytical method for genus and species level identification and quantification.

Petri Dish Mold Test
petri dish

7. Petri Dish Test

Different molds like different food sources where agar plate cultivation via a Petri Dish is the best way to identify Genus and Species of a particular mold. But is time consuming often taking more than 2 weeks to get an answer where some molds don’t grow well on this medium (likeStachybotrys)

8. Mold Clearance Testing

A series of tests used to help establish if an environment has been returned to Normal Fungal Ecology. Usually conducted after a mold remediation has been completed and often is a repeat of the testing done from the original mold inspection. Investigator experience in all aspects of mold investigative & remediation services is critical in conducting this service. For only an experienced and competent mold professional can render an opinion as to if an environment has been returned to Normal Fungal Ecology.

MJ Paint

Buyer Beware!

There are many sources available for quick, inexpensive, DIY mold tests. Some are more reliable than others where none offer interpretative services that are reliable. Stay away from these testing services as it ultimately is a waste of time and money.

Mold Test Cost

Genus level mold testing from a competent / experienced firm usually runs from $75 - $150 per sample (depending on type of test) where species level testing runs a bit more ($150 - $300 per sample). Be sure to ask your mold pro what the difference is where they should be able to explain it to you very easily.

Want the Truth?

If you have a health related issue involving mold or just want to get to the bottom of your mold issue once-and-for-all, you will benefit greatly from engaging an experienced and competent mold investigative firm that not only knows how to identify hidden sources of mold (Mold Assessment), but how to correct the problem (Mold Remediation).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is There Any Way to Get My House Tested for Mold, Lead, Asbestos for Free?

Not really. While sometimes you can have a good idea if a piece of pipe wrap is asbestos or if spot on that wall is mold. But all of these items are microscopic and require some degree of testing to deffinitively identify what they are.

How Do I Get an Estimate for Mold Removal Services?

Just give us a call and we can help with the numbers. Of course, its best to have a formal mold assessment / inspection done first delineating mold impacts. But if it appears to be a small issue, we can usually figure it out pretty quickly. There's no fee to prepare a quote if you own your home. For Home Buyers, we have a small fee that we credit back when you engage us.

What Kind of Certification Does a Mold Contractor Need?

PMII CMRWhile the State of New Jersey does not require any specific certifications, anyone you work with should have a NJHICL & proper general liability insurance.  There are numerous mold certification firms that offer training; any contractor you work with should have mold training and participate in ongoing continuing education.

I See What Looks like Visible Mold Growth on My Walls.

1 Hidden Mold

Many times moisture makes its way into the wall cavity and stimulates molds to grow. Given time they will start to “Bleed Through” the outside wall and at first look like a small dark area. If the moisture source is not obvious, further investigation by a pro is recommended.

Every Time I Enter This Room in My Home I Get Itchy, My Throat Constricts and I Can’t Breathe.

Moldy Shower - GW LLCMany folks have (or develop) sensitivity to molds and chemicals that are immediately noticeable. Other times it takes longer as we age and our immune systems start to decline. Everyone is different. But when one room in your home gives you such immediate discomfort there almost always a hidden microorganism to blame. Better bring in a mold specialist.

I Think I Got the Mold in My House. Should I Test for It?

Mold Pointer - GWEIt depends. It’s been our experience that if you are planning on selling your home in the near future, yes! Mold is on everyone’s mind these days and knowing if you have a mold issue can only be determined by a mold test. If negative, the test can be used to assure prospective buyers that there is no mold to worry about.

My Whole Family Is Always Sick, Is It Mold Related?

Wall Paper - GWEThere are many allergy-like symptoms (like sore throats, sneezing, itchy / watery eyes, sinus infections, headaches) that also come from mold exposure. So ask yourself, when you leave the suspect area, do your symptoms get better? If so, some air tests to identify possible mold contamination would be a good idea.

There Is a Small Spot of Mold Growth That Keeps Coming Back After I Clean It.

Wall SupplyCleaning mold often does not address what is causing the mold to grow in the first place. And that’s what we call the “Moisture Trigger”. While we often think of moisture as a “puddle”, in this case, molds don’t like puddles, they like elevated humidity which is hard to detect on your own. Better call a mold pro.

I’m Thinking of Selling My House and My Mold Test Came Back Positive. What Should I Do?

Who did the test? If you used one of those over the counter tests, they recommend that you need a mold professional to interpret the results. Any mold pro should be able to tell you about the molds detected and the water trigger, but you might need to do an additional control test to see if your molds are beyond Normal Fungal Ecology and pose a health risk.

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Mold Have You Worried?

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Wall Township, NJ 07719-9021
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