The Ways for Testing Mold

When remodeling or buying a home you may discover some areas of mold. It is recommended to have the mold tested if the area involved is a large area. This mold could be harmful to family and pets. The worst forms of mold are the Stachybotrys and Penicillium/Aspergillus. These molds can cause serious illnesses. In the area of the mold, you will probably see different colors or shades of color. This could indicate different types of mold so you need to take a sample from each of these areas. Don't take the samples from the same spot, space them out.
There are 3 options for Mold testing kits, the first being the Lift tape test.
If you decide to take samples yourself, these are suggestions to do it safely.
First, you will need a protective mask, to keep you from inhaling these spores. You will also need a pair of latex gloves to keep from contaminating the sample. Finally, some heavy duty ziplock baggies and some scotch tape. The tape needs to be clear, not frosted, and when applied to the baggies, needs to remove easily without tearing the bag.
Make a small tab on the end of the tape so it is easier to pull off the bag. Get a piece of tape about 3 inches long and gently press on the area to test. Peel it up and press it lightly on the baggie trapping the spores between the tape and the bag. Make sure you label each baggie so you know where the sample came from. Place all samples in one baggie. After you have collected the samples, they are ready to send for testing.
The Viable Mold test is another method of testing. This involves a q-tip swab, and a Petri dish. You simply swab the area in question. Rub the sample onto the Petri dish, cover and observe for 3 to 7 days. If you see mold starting to grow in the container, then you need to send it off for identification. The other method of testing is the Air quality test. This tests the air flowing through your heating/ac vents and filters to determine if mold spores are traveling in the air. When in doubt, call the professionals

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