Mold Testing Essex County, New Jersey
Learn If You Need Mold Removal Through Mold Inspections
Do you suspect mold growth in your Essex County home or business? Call 201-522-3204 now for mold inspection and testing services.
Mold is a fungal organism that plays a vital role in nature by breaking down organic matter. But indoors, mold is a problem. Black mold, in particular, causes serious health problems and can compromise the indoor air quality and structural integrity of your building.
Don't take any chances. If you suspect a mold problem, call us at Mold Testing, LLC, for hassle-free and quality testing and mold inspection in Essex County, New Jersey.
Our Mold Inspection and Mold Testing Services for Residents of Essex County in New Jersey
There are many mold tests that help detect the presence of mold and identify the mold species in your home or company. To ensure maximum accuracy, our certified mold specialists combine mold tests with in-person inspections.
Presence/absence testing: For this service, we use a swab applicator with a reagent that detects mold protein. If the applicator turns green, the sample is mold-free. This mold testing doesn't identify the mold species but can tell you whether isolated water stains contain mold. You can also use mold presence/absence tests to assess the results of remediation services.
Visible mold testing: If you have a visible dark stain that you suspect is mold, we can identify the mold type by testing a sample under a microscope. Bulk mold samples produce the most accurate results but aren't always practical. In such cases, we perform a mold tape lift or swab test instead.
Air testing: This environmental testing lets us know the mold concentration in indoor air. We use a small pump to collect and analyze a certain volume of air against a control sample. For dusty environments, 25 liters of air are typically enough. For areas with better air quality, we may require a 75-liter sample.
ERMI testing: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency developed the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) for mold testing of dust samples. ERMI testing can detect 36 fungi species from two mold groups: Group I (water-damaged homes) and Group II (commonly found in all homes).
ARMI testing: The American Relative Moldiness Index (ARMI) test is cheaper than ERMI but only tests for 13 mold species.
MSQ/PCR testing: MSQ/PCR stands for Mold Specific Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction. This is a DNA test that allows our mold specialists to identify the mold genus and species.
Petri dish testing: Different mold species eat different food. By cultivating mold samples in Petri dishes with different food sources, we can identify the genus and species of the mold living in your home or business. The only downside to Petri dish tests is that they can take more than two weeks and aren't suitable for all mold types.
Mold clearance testing: Mold clearance testing tells us whether your indoor space has returned to normal fungal ecology after a mold remediation or removal service. The procedure involves the same tests as your original mold inspection.
What To Expect From Our Mold Inspection Company in Essex County, NJ
Here's what a standard inspection for mold in Essex County town looks like:
Client Interview
We begin all our mold inspections with an interview. Our certified experts will ask you about the property's history of mold problems, water intrusion, repairs, and other issues. We'll also ask whether you or other people on the premises experience health symptoms associated with mold exposure. Based on your answers, we'll recommend appropriate inspection services and mold testing methods.
Olfactory Investigation
Active mold growths often emit a distinctive aroma. If the odor is strong enough, our certified mold specialists can detect it as soon as they walk into your home or company premises. The presence of mold odor is a helpful clue if there is no visible mold, but the absence of odor doesn't mean you don't have a mold issue. The weather and season, ambient fragrances, and indoor air quality can dilute or mask the smell of mold.
Visual Inspection
Whether or not our mold inspector can sense a mold aroma, we always perform a full visual inspection as part of our standard services. We pay special attention to areas that attract mold, such as:
Attics
Basements
Bathrooms
Under sinks
Crawl spaces
Tech-Supported Mold Inspection
Visible mold is just the tip of the iceberg. To get the full picture, our certified experts perform a thorough inspection using the latest new technologies and equipment, including:
Moisture meters: Moisture meters measure the moisture content of building materials to determine whether they are a suitable breeding ground for mold.
Thermal imaging: Thermal imaging devices and infrared cameras identify temperature differentials that may be due to a flood or water leak.
Hydrology Inspection
The hydrology inspection is the most important part of any mold inspection service. Merely identifying mold presence doesn't cut it. You need to know the root cause --- usually, some type of water intrusion. If you don't fix the underlying problem, any mold remediation and mold removal services would be worthless, as the mold would simply return in as little as 24 to 48 hours.
Mold Tests
After inspecting your home or company premises, our mold teams will perform mold testing. We'll determine the appropriate type of mold tests and number of samples based on the results of the mold inspections and the size of your home.
Mold Testing NJ: Frequently Asked Questions
Read the answers to mold remediation and testing FAQ we often hear in our practice:
How Much Does a Mold Inspection Cost in N.J.?
The average mold inspection service in N.J. and Essex County costs around $500. The exact price will depend on the type of tests, the number of samples, the size of the property, and the service provider. Mold genus tests are usually less expensive than mold species tests.
Do Home Inspectors Check for Mold in N.J.?
If there is visible mold, N.J. home inspection services will usually recommend a professional inspection followed by mold removal and mold remediation services. However, if mold is not readily apparent, most New Jersey home inspectors won't make further investigations.
Does NJ Have Mold Laws?
While New Jersey has strict laws against household hazards like asbestos, lead paint, and radon gas, mold infestation remains unregulated, including black mold. No laws require landlords to provide mold remediation, and N.J. lacks uniform standards to ensure a thorough fix.
Is Mold Testing Worth It?
Testing homes and companies for mold can save you thousands of dollars in repair and mold removal or costs down the line. Consider investing in mold services, especially if you're buying a new home.
Get Quality Testing for Black Mold in All Essex County, NJ Towns
At Mold Testing, LLC, we service all towns in the county. Call 201-522-3204 now for the best mold inspections and testing Essex, NJ, has to offer