FAQs

  • Do you also remove the mold?

    • No. I only perform mold inspections, assessments, and testing. Mold removal or remediation is conducted by a separate company. You don’t actually want the same company to provide both mold inspection and mold remediation services. This is a conflict of interest and companies that offer both services may claim that mold is present only to tell you that an expensive remediation job is required. Keep in mind, that I am independent of mold remediation companies. This allows you to have peace of mind in my recommendations since they are true and honest and I do not profit at all by recommending mold remediation services.

  • Why are mold assessments so expensive?

    • I believe my prices are competitive. On average, my mold assessment and testing process takes 2-4 hours. Detailed reports, pictures, lab results, and follow-up are all included in the price. My goal is to identify if you have a mold problem, and if that problem requires remediation or if it can be remedied on a DIY basis. Remember, mold remediation companies are often quite costly. If you can get a true and honest assessment of your mold situation, it could save you thousands of dollars.

    • You may find a better price, but be aware of what the price is getting you. Others may come into your home or business, quickly run a few tests, then only send you a lab report without any written report, assessment of your property situation, or identification of what the source of the mold may be. You may also not have a follow up call included with these less expensive options. Be cautious of home inspectors offering an inexpensive mold “inspection” as an add-on. Usually, the home inspector mold test option involves them simply setting up an indoor air sample and an outdoor air sample, and there is no effort to find the cause or the location of the mold.

  • Is mold a problem in Tennessee?

    • Yes, mold is a problem in Tennessee. Any type of excess moisture inside a building, such as a roof or pipe leaks, spills, or condensation, has the potential to grow mold and negatively impact healthy indoor air quality. With a high risk of tornadoes and other weather patterns in Tennessee that cause building damage and may result in excess moisture problems, mold is an ongoing problem in Tennessee. In 2019 in North Central Tennesse, numerous residents on the Ft. Campbell Army installation reported mold infestation in their homes. Many of these residents also reported health issues related to the mold. This event made national news.

  • Should I be concerned about mold?

    • Molds produce allergens, irritants, and in some cases, mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are fungal metabolites that have been identified as toxic agents. If mold is discovered in an indoor environment, the three major areas of concern are 1.) the potential negative health effects of exposure to fungi and their byproducts, 2.) the effects of fungal contamination on the structural integrity of a building, 3.) the negative aesthetic effects fungi can produce both visually and as an offensive odor.

  • Can you help with mold litigation cases?

    • Yes, please Contact Us to discuss the details of your case.

  • How long does it take to get mold testing results?

    • Mold testing results can be available within 24 hours after the lab receives the mold samples. A complete and detailed report that is specific to your property and that includes information on the lab results and other details is usually provided within 48-72 hours after the mold assessment is completed. You will have your Mold Assessment Report within 2 weeks of the appointment date, however expedited services are available.

  • How do professionals check for mold?

    • Mold professionals check for mold using various devices and techniques. Air samples, swab samples, tape samples, and dust sampling (ERMI testing, EMMA testing, Mycotoxin testing) may be used to check for and collect suspected mold. These techniques are included in a detailed visual inspection process which can also include humidity readings, moisture testing, and the use of temperature sensing cameras.

  • Why don’t you offer free mold testing and free mold inspections?

    • My goal is not to find mold in your property. It is to truly assess and communicate to you the mold status of your property. See details on Our Process page.

    • Companies that provide free mold testing and inspections do not specialize in mold inspections but in mold remediation. Mold remediation is a big money maker. I don’t provide free mold testing because I provide true, honest, thorough, and independent mold inspections and assessments. Companies that offer free mold inspections use this tactic to ultimately hook you into an expensive remediation project, regardless of whether that is your best course of action or not. I will only recommend mold removal and remediation services if they are needed. Mold removal services frequently exceed $10,000.

    • Often times you may be able to resolve mold issues yourself without costly remediation. I will help you identify your best course of action. I can also determine, even if you have mold if the levels of mold exceed outdoor levels and normal indoor benchmarks. There may be situations where mold is not found and remediation is not needed. Using a certified professional mold inspector can save you money by letting you know the actual mold situation of your building and if mold remediation is needed.

  • What areas do you serve?

  • What is involved in a home mold inspection?

    • Home mold inspections receive my 5-Step Process which includes a pre-inspection consult, a visual inspection, a post-inspection consult, sampling is done, and a report is prepared and sent to you. Find out more about My Process.

  • I’ve gotten quotes from other mold assessors. How do I know I’m comparing similar services?

    • It is wise to gather multiple quotes and conduct due diligence. When speaking with any mold inspection or mold testing company be sure to ask the right questions. Do they know anything about mycotoxins, EMMA testing, or a high ERMI score? Many companies will not have any clue about any one of these or how to handle them. If you are experiencing health problems that may be mold-related then working with a professional who specializes in working with mold-sensitive individuals is key. This is my focus.

    • It is also important to know what is included in their standard price. Most other companies do not provide a Mold Remediation Protocol which is the bridge to the next steps in your process, remediation. I provide a highly detailed Mold Remediation Protocol that remediators will use to get your property back to a normal mold environment. Also, be sure to find out how much sampling costs. Is a follow-up review and report included to help you with the next steps of the process? What you don’t want is a company that walks in and spends twenty minutes in your building and then collects payment, only sends you the lab results, and never provides feedback or follow-up. Be aware of what you are getting for the price.

  • Another mold inspector can fit me in tomorrow. Why should I wait for you?

    • Depending upon your situation it may be best to have a mold inspector see you as soon as possible. If you are mold sensitive or experiencing inflammatory symptoms then the quickest inspection may be your best bet. However, whatever your mold situation is you may have been living with it for a few months already. A few more days may not make a significant difference. We specialize in working with mold-sensitive individuals and we pride ourselves on high-quality mold inspections with the goal of identifying the sources of mold so they can be dealt with effectively.

      You may also want to consider if the mold testing company you may use provides a comprehensive mold assessment and recommendations for mold remediation and abatement.

  • We already had a mold inspection, can you find mold where they couldn’t?

    • Quite possibly. The technology we employ is state of the art and the sampling techniques used are highly sensitive and specific. My goal is to determine if there is mold and to correctly identify all the locations and sources of mold growth. Depending upon your situation and who performed your initial mold inspection, I may find additional mold issues. This is not uncommon.

  • What is EMMA testing?

    • EMMA stands for Environmental Mold and Mycotoxin Assessment, and is a dust-sampling technique that can detect 10 of the most toxigenic molds and 16 of the most potent mycotoxins. Molecular detection technology is used to look for the presence of these airborne particulates. Find out if mycotoxin producing molds and mycotoxins are in your environment by getting an EMMA tests for your property.

  • What does ERMI, HERTSMI-2 or “dust sampling” mean?

    • ERMI, HERTSMI-2, or dust-sampling is a method known as mold-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (MSQPCR). This is a DNA based method that is highly detailed and used to quantify mold species. Environmental Relative Moldiness Indes (EMRI) was created by the EPA to investigate mold contamination in homes and quantifies 36 mold species for comparison with a database of reference homes. HERTSMI-2 uses MSQPCR to quantify 5 mold species and is to help patients understand if a specific building is safe for occupancy. All ERMI samples also include HERTSMI-2 scoring.

  • Can you find mold in wall cavities?

    • There are various methods that allow me to find mold in wall cavities, including moisture meters, wall cavity air sampling, infrared cameras, and a detailed visual inspection.

  • Can you locate mold in showers and tubs?

    • Water damage in these areas is the primary culprit followed by moisture seeping through grout or tile. A moisture meter can be used to identify exorbitant levels of moisture behind shower and tub walls. Wall cavity sampling may be appropriate for this situation. Often, more invasive steps, such as removing tiles or drywall, may be the only way to truly know if mold is present in these areas. I will provide input to help you make this decision if you wish.

  • I heard that every house has mold. Is that true?

    • For the most part, yes. However, the concern is when excess moisture from leaks, spills, or high humidity creates the ideal environment for mold growth. With as little as 24 hours, this situation can result in mold growth that can affect your indoor air quality and health.

  • I heard it’s impossible to get rid of mold. Is that true?

    • Not necessarily. Mold requires moisture to grow. If the moisture issue can be resolved then mold growth can be stopped. Once this is addressed, mold can be removed. Some materials may be able to be cleaned and others may need to be disposed of. Mold cannot be completely eliminated, but reaching a normal fungal ecology is possible and is our goal for your environment.

  • What about my belonging? Do I have to throw everything away?

    • This is case-dependent. We will provide guidance through the process.

  • Do you inspect HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems?

    • I will not alter, modify, or attempt to resolve any HVAC issues. There will be no invasive inspection within the HVAC system or ductwork. However, mold issues often occur in or around these systems. That being the case, I will inspect the HVAC system; this includes vents in each room, the ductwork, return plenums, and around the exterior units. Depending upon what mold issues are found, we may recommend you contact a licensed HVAC professional. The report includes any mold problems with the HVAC system along with pictures. This can help the HVAC professional identify and resolve any issues that may be present with the HVAC system. Remediation may be needed to resolve moldy HVAC components.

  • Do you look behind refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines?

    • Yes, if these areas are readily accessible. I have a telescopic camera that also allows me to view behind these.

  • Our house is built on a pier and beam, do you inspect the crawlspace?

    • Yes, I will inspect the crawlspace as best as I can. At times due to space constraints, animal infestation, or other dangers, I may not be able to do a comprehensive crawlspace assessment. I will check for excess moisture, visible mold, and other issues. Crawlspace encapsulation and ventilation solutions are often recommended for those with high mold sensitivities.

  • I already took samples. What’s the point of having you do a mold test?

    • Even if you have collected samples with ERMI/HERTSMI, test plates, or other methods, our professional mold assessment can help find the source of the mold that may have been picked up by the samples. This is imperative in removing mold colonies and improving your air quality situation. Additional samples may also be conducted to pinpoint the location of the mold and assess mold levels.

  • Do you inspect the attic?

    • Yes, this is standard if there is a pull-down or walk-in access. Keep in mind that, just like crawlspaces, safety concerns may prevent reaching some spaces in the areas. My goal is to check for roof damage and examine HVAC units that may be located in the attic.

  • Do you assess apartments and other rentals?

    • Yes, if the property owner is not open to making changes or assisting you with your mold problem, my reports may be helpful in breaking a lease or getting you moved to a different unit in the complex.

  • Do you assess commercial buildings?

    • Yes, I work with homeowners and commercial/business clients. Contact us and I will see if our services will meet your needs.

  • Do you do asbestos testing?

    • No, I do not perform asbestos testing.