Mold Testing
Mold Shark proudly provides professional mold testing in Palm Beach County, Broward County, and St Lucie County, Florida. We also provide full mold inspection services. Does your home or business have a mold problem? We can help!
Our team of experienced mold assessors will help you through the entire process of testing for mold, as well as for other potential health hazards in your indoor environment.
Call today for a free consultation: 954-354-2913
Mold Testing Process
Our mold assessors will visit your property to conduct a thorough mold inspection. We will collect various air and swab samples from inside your home, business, school, boat, or industrial facility. Next, we send the samples to an advanced microbiology laboratory for mold testing and analysis via direct microscopy. The test results will determine if there is mold present, and will also identify the type of mold.
A full report of our findings will be delivered within 24 to 48 hours, including photographs and video of our findings as necessary. If potentially toxic molds are discovered, we will give you a protocol to follow for hiring a mold remediator.
Home Mold Testing
At Mold Shark, your health and the health of your family is our top priority. When mold grows, it releases mold spores into the air, which you then breathe in. Some types of mold can be harmful, especially during long periods of exposure. Mold, VOCs, and poor indoor air quality in your home can cause negative health effects for your loved ones. Mold exposure, for instance, is a health issue that is often mis-diagnosed or overlooked.
The air quality in your home should be safe and healthy -- and we’ll work hard to make sure it is. If you think you may have mold in your home, we can help! Our expert team will provide a home mold inspection and reliable testing.
Call today for a free consultation: 954-354-2913
24 Hour Test Results
For residential property mold testing, we typically deliver a full report of our findings the next day, within 24 to 48 hours. The report includes the test results and analysis from the microbiology laboratory, all of our findings, and any necessary photographs and videos.
Advanced Laboratory Testing
The air and swab samples from your property are sent to an advanced microbiology laboratory for testing. To ensure accurate and reliable results, the laboratory is AIHA EMPAT certified and features state-of-the-art mold testing equipment. Direct microscopy is used to analyze the samples and identify any mold that is present.
Assessment Report & Protocol
After the testing process is complete, we deliver a full report and assessment of the test results. The report includes all of our findings, as well as any applicable photographs and videos. We also deliver a protocol with recommendations on your options, including mold remediation and mold removal. Our team will help you through the entire process, from start to finish.
Our Mold Testing Services
Mold Shark offers a variety of mold inspection and testing services, including:
- Visual Interior and Exterior Investigation
- Meter Readings and Moisture Mapping
- Thermal Imaging
- Borescope Investigation
- Mold Sampling
- Laboratory Mold Testing
- Photo Report
- Assessment Report & Protocol
Indoor Air Quality Testing
In addition to mold testing, we also offer VOC sampling and testing services, including:
- VOC Sampling
- Formaldehyde Sampling
- ERMI Dust Sampling
ERMI Dust Sampling
ERMI refers to the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index. Based on leading scientific technology, ERMI is a standardized, DNA-based method of testing that identifies and quantifies molds. During the mold inspection process, our mold assessors will gather samples from the property to be sent to the microbiology laboratory and tested using the ERMI method.
Areas We Serve
We provide professional mold testing in the following areas:
- Palm Beach County, Florida
- Broward County, Florida
- St. Lucie County, Florida
Many of our customers are located in Deerfield Beach, West Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie, and Boca Raton. If your property is located outside of Palm Beach, Broward, or St. Lucie county, we will still try our best to accommodate you! Please contact us for more information.
How to Tell if Your Home Needs Mold Testing
In many cases, mold grows out of sight, often behind or beneath other surfaces. So how do you know when it’s time to get your home tested? These are a few of the tell-tale signs that your home may have a mold problem.
You can see visible mold growth.
The most obvious sign of mold is visible growth. If left untreated, the growth will continue to spread and more mold spores will be released into the air. If you can see it, it is definitely time to call a professional inspection company.
The area smells musty.
The smell of mold is often described as “musty”. The unpleasant odor is a common indicator that there is mold growing somewhere in the area. Because mold often grows out of sight, the bad smell is one of the most obvious signs of the presence of mold.
If you experience a musty smell in your home, we recommend calling a mold inspection specialist. At Mold Shark, we utilize thermal imaging tools that allow us to quickly pinpoint the areas of mold growth behind drywall, wallpaper, ceiling tiles, and more. Locating the exact area of growth helps to avoid any unnecessary damage to walls and also reduces remediation costs.
The property has had water damage.
Water damage is one of the most common causes of mold in the home. Mold can begin to develop within just 24 hours of water damage. The moisture creates the perfect environment, encouraging fast growth and spreading. Even minor plumbing leaks can lead to a serious mold issue, especially if any drywall or wallpaper was exposed to the water.
You are experiencing mold exposure symptoms.
During long periods of exposure, some people develop mold exposure symptoms. Although it is fairly common, it often goes untreated because mold continues to grow in the home. Not everyone experiences symptoms, as some people are more sensitive to molds than others.
Common symptoms of mild mold exposure include:
- Headaches.
- Sore throats.
- Trouble breathing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
- A runny nose or stuffed up nose.
- Coughing.
- Sneezing.
- Red, itchy, and/or watery eyes.
- Asthma attacks or asthma-like symptoms in people not previously diagnosed with the disease.
- Infections in the lungs, such as pneumonia and bronchitis.
- Chronic sinusitis (sinus infections).
- Rashes or hives.
- Fatigue.
Mold Testing FAQ
Where in the house does mold typically grow?
Mold usually grows in areas of the home that have a high moisture content. Common sources of growth include the areas around leaks, windows, and pipes. You can often find mold in any area that has been subject to water damage or a leak. Mold flourishes on paper products, ceiling tiles, wood, drywall, wallpaper, carpet, and insulation.
Mold growing on a window frame.
Should I use a home mold testing kit?
Using a mold testing kit in your home is not recommended. Many third party reviewers, including Consumer Reports, have tested the accuracy of various mold test kits and concluded that they do not produce accurate results. Because mold exposure can have negative health effects, it is important to contact a professional mold testing company that provides thorough inspections and accurate testing.
Can mold in my house make me sick?
In some cases, the presence of mold in your home can make you ill. However, this largely depends on several factors, including the type of mold, the individual’s sensitivity to it, the amount that was breathed in, duration of exposure, etc. Some types of mold, such as black mold, are considered to be toxic and may be linked to health issues.
What is mold?
Mold is a type of fungus. These small organisms are capable of living almost anywhere, both indoors and outside. It can grow in a wide variety of colors including green, white, black, purple, and orange. Molds thrive on moisture and reproduce through lightweight spores that easily travel through the air.
Commercial Mold Testing
Does your business, office, school, or commercial property have a mold problem? Mold Shark also provides commercial mold inspection and testing for businesses located in the state of Florida. Please contact us today for more information or to receive a free consultation.