You'll likely use a mold testing kit with strips of adhesive tape to pick up a sample and analyze it on the surface. Or, you can use a swab to send a sample to a laboratory or spread a sample in a Petri dish for evaluation. When testing the air for mold, the best option is usually an air pump that collects samples for evaluation in a laboratory. Any strange mold-like smell in rooms means that you should check nearby vents right away, as this could be a telltale sign that there is mold in the air ducts.
In fact, this species of mold is quite rare, but it is one of many molds that produce a high level of mycotoxins (dangerous mold-based chemicals) that can create a hazardous household environment. While mold removal may not be a DIY task, preventative measures can definitely be taken beforehand. While there are thousands of species of mold, most homeowners are concerned about Stachybotrys chartarum, commonly known as “toxic mold” or “black mold”. That's why you should make sure you check the ventilation grilles correctly for mold by removing the vent cover and looking inside.
These kits will help you determine if there is mold in your home, the type of mold and the safest way to get rid of mold spores. If the test results are positive for mold spores, it's best to send the test to a laboratory to determine what type of mold it is and how to treat it effectively. With the wide range of potential health problems associated with mold, it's important to take steps to detect mold in your home quickly and get rid of it right away. Of course, if the symptoms are visible and severe, it's best to call professionals to test for mold and remove colonies from your home.
While a variable mold test can tell you if there are mold spores in a specific room, you'll need to use additional kits if you want to test other rooms in your house. If you're looking for confirmation that your recent mold removal or remediation project has been effective, an air quality test will tell you exactly that (i.e., some kits test for mold spores in indoor air, while others test for mold on surfaces in the house). If there are no signs of mold growth after five days from the day indicated on the label, then there are no mold spores in the test room. If your test determines that there are mold spores in your home, you can send the testing materials to a laboratory that will perform another test to determine what type of mold is present.
