How Mold Testing Can Save You Thousands - The Real Cost of Ignoring Mold

Certified Mold Testing and Inspection in the Sunset and Pacific Heights areas of San Francisco

If your home or commercial building smells damp or unpleasant you should think about getting a professional mold test done. A mold infestation can be serious and extremely expensive to remediate so it's vital you get the building tested as soon as possible. This article will explain how mold can quickly spread and why you should use a professional testing service to find out if your home or office is infected. Mold spores are everywhere and they are usually not an issue, but once they come in contact with moisture and a food source, mold can quickly spread and multiply. Since mold can have serious health consequences it's important to find out if you need to undertake remediation.

Call to set an appointment: 888-217-2719

Certified Mold Testing and Mold Inspection

A-1 Certified Environmental Services provide certified mold testing services in the San Francisco region as well as covering most other areas in California including Sunset and Pacific Heights.

Still have questions? Keep reading, ask questions of our custom chat bot or feel free to contact us at any time.

We're happy to help you out with your Mold Testing needs, but keep in mind, we also undertake Indoor Air Quality Testing and VOC Testing in the California region.

Do I Need Mold Testing?

Let's start with the biggest question: Do you really need mold testing? It depends on your situation. Of course, just about anybody can benefit from knowing their home's mold status. The peace of mind will certainly help you breathe easier, and mold problems are incredibly common. However, some people can benefit from mold testing more than others. Do any of the situations below describe you? If so, it's probably time for you to test for mold.

- You have an older home or building. Older structures come with a bigger mold risk than newer structures. They've had more exposure to moisture over the years, and they often have more cracks and other places where mold likes to hide. If your home or building has been around for a long time, it may well have a mold problem. Testing will let you know for sure.

- You have a lot of moisture. As previously mentioned, mold grows once moisture is involved. Homes and buildings in the San Francisco region can pick up moisture from the sea. Rainy seasons and humid months also bring a higher mold risk than dry seasons. If you've just been through a humid spell, you should absolutely check for mold.

- Someone in your home or building has health problems. Mold can aggravate a lot of health problems, especially respiratory issues. If someone in your building has experienced a lot of health problems, mold may very well be the culprit.

- You have a complex ventilation system. Commercial buildings often have more complex vent systems than homes have. Think about the air that circulates through your building. If that air has come into contact with mold, then that mold is spreading all across your building. One way to make sure that you have healthy air is to make sure that air is free of mold.

- You have an attic or basement. This applies to virtually every homeowner, but plenty of commercial buildings have these spaces, too. Mold prefers damp, dark places. As a result, attics and basements are often full of mold. Have a crawlspace? It could also have mold. The more dark, hidden corners you have, the greater your risk for a mold problem. Testing will help you keep these spaces as clean as possible.

- You've just had your building remediated. Maybe you've already dealt with a mold problem. You've had a professional clean the space, but you want to make sure that they did a thorough job. If you get the space tested, you can tell whether or not you've truly gotten rid of the problem. Choose a testing service that isn't connected to your remediation service for the most unbiased results.

Second, keep in mind that mold is more dangerous to some people than it is to others. Those who have allergies, asthma, or sensitivities to mold face more risk than those who don't. People with immune system issues are also vulnerable. Black mold can cause health problems even for those who aren't allergic, but those with allergies and asthma will have the most problems. These problems often include the following:

• Nasal congestion
• Irritated throat
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Itchy eyes
• Skin problems

Unless you remove all the mold, it will continue to grow, and so will these health problems. It's best to get your home or building tested and remove the problem while it's still manageable.

Mold Testing and Indoor Air Quality Testing in San Francisco

How Does Certified Mold Testing Work?

Now that you know why you need mold testing, let's talk about how the process works. Thankfully, when you work with a mold testing professional, the process is simple and straightforward. Don't be afraid to ask the business that they are a certified mold testing company. Mold testers can use two main ways to get samples from your home or building: surface testing and air testing. Your mold testing professional may use either of these methods, depending on your situation. Surface testing involves taking samples from different surfaces. Your tester may use swabs, wipes, or even strips of tape to collect samples from your surfaces. Air testing involves collecting air samples into tightly sealed containers. Your testing professional will send these samples to a lab to be tested for mold spores. Best of all, it won't take too much time from your already busy day.

How to Choose a Certified Mold Testing Company

Of course, you don't want to let just anyone test your home or building. You'll want to make sure that you make the right choice. So, how do you choose the right mold tester? Start by searching for testers in your area. Then, you can narrow your search based on your criteria. Always make sure you are dealing with a legitimate and certified business. Look for an unbiased mold testing service. Some mold testing companies also provide mold remediation. These options may seem convenient at first. However, these companies may also tell you that you have a mold problem even if you really don't any serious issues. Their goal is to get you to use their remediation service. With these companies, you may spend far more money than you should. An unbiased company is a company that only offers testing. These companies have no connection to any remediation service. Whether you have a mold problem or not, these companies will be honest with you. You won't spend any more money than you need to spend.

Next, look for professionals who have a lot of experience. The more experienced your mold tester, the more accurate and efficient the process becomes. Check company websites for mentions of experience. You can also call or email the company to ask.

Finally, ask about customer satisfaction. Online reviews are a great place to start. See what past clients have to say about your chosen company. Check the website for a satisfaction guarantee.

Once you've gone through this checklist, you'll find the perfect mold testing service. Soon, you'll have the peace of mind that comes from knowing your building's mold status. There's no reason to keep guessing. Take your building's health into your own hands. It's time to get proactive.

This especially applies to spaces like the attic and the basement. Remember that mold will keep growing unless you remove it completely. Second, make sure that you keep your home and/or building properly ventilated. The right amount of airflow will work wonders for your building's overall health. Dehumidifiers will reduce moisture in the air, preventing further mold growth.

You can keep your home or building clean and healthy for everyone who uses it. It all starts with getting the place tested. The sooner you know your mold status, the sooner you can breathe easy...

In addition to Pacific Heights, we also cater to most neighborhoods such as Russian Hill, Presidio Heights, Sea Cliff, Nob Hill, Forest Hill, West Portal and the Marina District.

For additional information, contact us at: 888-217-2719

You can also ask specific questions from our custom chat bot that has been trained on all our services.