Mold air sampling

What air sampling tells you

Mold spores are always in the air, indoors and out. What matters is how the inside of your home compares to the outside. We take a sample outdoors as a baseline, then one in each area of concern. The lab counts the spores in each sample and identifies them by type.

If indoor counts are close to or below the outdoor baseline, that's normal. If one room is far above it, or contains types that rarely show up outdoors, there is likely a mold source nearby, even when you can't see it.

How we take the samples

• We start by looking for the cause: stains, warped materials, high moisture readings and plumbing near the problem area.
• A calibrated pump draws a measured volume of air through a spore trap cassette for a few minutes per sample.
• Each cassette is labeled, photographed and logged on a chain-of-custody form before it goes to the lab.

Before we arrive

• Keep doors and windows closed for about 12 hours beforehand, apart from normal coming and going.
• Leave the AC or heat running normally.
• Skip dusting, vacuuming and air purifiers the day of the test, since they change what's in the air.

What's in your report

Spore counts per cubic meter for each sample, broken down by type, side by side with the outdoor baseline. You also get photos, moisture findings and plain next steps. If the results call for cleanup, we'll explain what scope makes sense so you can get fair quotes.