Mold information

Why test for mold? Read more HERE!

There are thousands of types of mold in Tennessee, many of which produce spores.  Spores spread easily through the air and can form new mold growth on surfaces when conditions are right.  Above all else, molds need moisture to live and grow.  If there is mold growing in your home, there must be a source of moisture.

Molds can produce allergens, irritants, and in some cases, mycotoxins.  Allergic reactions and irritation are the most common health effects for people sensitive to mold.  Mold exposure can also trigger asthma attacks in people with asthma.

Although it is tempting to try an at-home mold test kit, they are often unreliable. Home mold test kits that use ‘settle plate applications’ (set the dish out for 24 – 48 hours and spores are supposed to fall into the dish) generally do not measure airborne particles accurately. Spores vary in size, shape, and most importantly weight. Heavier mold spores will fall out of the air more quickly, and therefore are represented in greater numbers in a home-test kit dish. Since most environments contains some amount of mold, it’s difficult to determine whether the mold spores you collect are from a dangerous indoor colony or just part of the outside environment.

Common scenarios when mold testing may be appropriate:

• The seller discloses past water damage or mold issues
• Mold growth is suspected during the home inspection
• Members of their family are immunocompromised
• The household consists of infants or elderly people
• Members of the household are sensitive to mold, allergies, or asthma
• You identify water damage during your inspection
• The home is located in an area with high humidity
• Musty odors are detected during the inspection 

Springlight Inspections is IAC2 certified and uses professional equipment from Sporecyte, the industry leader for mold analysis. Each test has a 4-6 day turnaround time for lab analysis, and comes with a detailed report delivered to your email. For a sample report, click HERE. Pricing begins at $450, with extra samples offered at an additional cost. Give us a call today to get your mold test scheduled!