Learn About Mold From a Mold Analysis

Commonly called mildew, molds (sometimes referred to as "black mold") are a subset of fungi that produce fluffy or powdery growth on surfaces. Our mold analysis in Broward County, FL found that molds grow on any porous and semi-porous surface, which include but are not limited to: concrete, wallpaper, metal, cloth, carpet, leather, wood, sheetrock, and insulation (including growth on human foods) when moist conditions exist. Our experienced mold professional can detect where mold would grow on your property with our mold inspection services.

Reproduction

Molds reproduce by making spores that usually cannot be seen without magnification. Our experienced mold professional understands that mold spores flow through indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive. Molds gradually destroy the things they grow on.

Growth Areas

Molds usually grow in damp places, behind walls, under floors, above ceiling tiles, and behind shower walls. Mold analysis found that water is the key — without it, molds cannot grow, much less spread. When water is left to sit for even 24 hours, mold infestation begins. If water continues to sit and areas become completely saturated, the ideal environment is created for toxic molds to grow, such as Stachybotrys.

What Causes Mold?

Our mold test results found that mold may grow at high levels indoors in a home or building if the right environmental conditions exist. Factors that influence mold growth include: moisture sources, improperly ventilated bathrooms, high humidity levels, broken pipes and washing machine hoses, floods, leaking roofs, leaking exterior siding products, and leaking windows and doors.

How Common Are Household Molds?

A 1994 Harvard University School of Public Health study of 10,000 homes in the United States and Canada mold test results found half had "conditions of water damage and mold associated with a 50 to 100% increase in respiratory symptoms."

What If Mold Is Found?

MDS does not provide remediation services as it is a conflict of interest with our mold analysis services. However, the underlying cause of water accumulation must be rectified or fungal growth will recur.

What Is Remediation?

The purpose of mold remediation is to remove and/or clean contaminated materials in a way that prevents them from spreading mold to uncontaminated areas. It is necessary to clean up mold contamination, not just kill the mold.

Questions To Ask Before Remediation:

Sampling

Air Sampling: Air samples test for viable (living) mold. Our experienced mold professional can test for viable mold by placing the sample onto agar culture medium that supports the growth of the organism(s) in question and allows identification of the species and level of contamination. When colonization occurs one mold has overtaken your entire home. Colonization is the formation of compact population groups of the same type of mold species. Air samples also test for nonviable (dead) mold. Testing for nonviable mold is done by microscopic examination of the sample to identify fungal and non-fungal particles that may be allergenic to individuals.

Bulk Sampling: Bulk samples include, but are not limited to, chunks of carpet, insulation, and wallboards. Bulk samples are collected from visibly moldy surfaces by scraping or cutting materials with a clean tool and placing the sample into a petri dish for mold analysis. 

Surface Sampling: Surface samples are collected by wiping a measured area with a sterile swab or by lifting a sample with bio tape for mold test results. The surface sample is cultured and then placed in a petri dish. After allowing 3 - 7 days for the samples to show visible fungal growth, the petri dish is inspected by a lab technician under a microscope so that the fungi can be removed and identified by species.

Sampling Is Necessary Where:

   
Sampling Allows Us To:

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Our experienced mold professionals also have access to infrared thermography cameras that can produce images of invisible infrared or "heat" radiation. They also can provide precise non-contact temperature measurement capabilities.