Our Mold Testing & Investigation Services in the San Francisco Bay Area
Mold Investigation
Using our years of experience, along with non-destructive and sometimes destructive techniques, we can help you locate hidden mold within your home or business. We start by interviewing the occupant followed by a visual inspection and then one or more of the services below.
Air Testing
Air sampling tests the concentration of mold spores in your home's air. Samples are taken from the air and are later examined under a microscope.
Air tests can tell you if you have a mold problem even if you cannot find the mold growth. However, the amount of mold spores in the air can change drastically in a small amount of time, giving varying results at different times.
Swab or Surface Sampling
Surface testing takes samples from household surfaces to find the amount of mold growth and spores deposited around the home. Samples are collected by swabbing. The sample is then examined in a laboratory.
Like with air testing the results can vary because mold growth and spores aren't spread evenly across surfaces in the home and can change over time. Unlike air testing though, surface tests can't identify the exact concentration of mold spores in the air.
Identifying Mold Species
Another reason for mold testing is if you want to find out what kind of species of mold is in your home. This is important for toxic molds since extra caution needs to be taken to safely remove toxic mold from the home. Two well-known toxic molds are Stachybotrys (often called toxic black mold) and Aspergillus. If you see mold which looks like a toxic species or if you are suffering toxic symptoms then you should have it tested before you try to remove it. The only way to identify the species of a mold for certain is to have a mold professional look at a sample of it under a microscope.
Water Damage Investigation and Assessment
Since mold is secondary to excess moisture, it is important to understand and fix the source of the water. We have the meters and the experience to identify hidden moisture within walls, floors, ceilings, underneath cabinets and anywhere else moisture may hide.
Bacterial Testing
Have you suffered a sewage back up or toilet overflow? Whether you cleaned it up yourself or you hired a company to clean it up you can't be certain that the building materials are free of bacteria unless you have them tested. Even clear, odor free water can contain harmful bacteria especially if they have traveled from beyond the plumbing trap.