Why DIY Mold Test Kits Don’t Work
Often, homeowners use DIY test kits to detect the presence of mold. But home-test kit results are unreliable and often misleading. Here’s why:
Mold is naturally occurring and present in almost every environment.
- 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.
Do-it-yourself mold test kits often cause people to make uninformed decisions.
- The levels of spores that are analyzed by the lab are not accurate and they cannot detect hidden mold, so the homeowner cannot properly assess the situation. People often do either too little or too much based on these results. Just because you have mold does not mean you will need costly remediation.
- When a professional takes a sample of spores, they forcefully draw air into a spore trap. Home-test kits rely on air currents in a room over a 24 – 48 hour period. Property owners need to be sure of the situation, and these home-test kits do not provide certainty.
The bottom line is if you think you may have mold, contact a professional testing service – preferably one with a Certified Microbial Investigator (as certified by the American Council for Accredited Certification). With a professional environmental testing service, you will get interpretation and analysis of the mold, allowing you to make informed choices.
Your decision can make all the difference between potential health problems for you, your family or your tenants, and a very messy and expensive cleanup – let alone a potential lawsuit. The wisest course is to have the job handled professionally, properly, and quickly. Contact RTK at 800.392.6468 or click here.
If you’re shopping for a new home, it’s a great idea to have 
Lead paint is often handled by 
The price of fixing these issues depends on a lot of factors and can climb quickly. Though location impacts the price, the average mold removal cost is $2,347. Asbestos, on the other hand, can range anywhere from $1,120 for a small space to $30,000 to remediate an entire house. Unfortunately, many insurance policies and home warranties won’t cover the abatement of these hazards, leaving homeowners responsible for the cost. If you have emergency savings, this is always the best option for financing your repairs. However, if you don’t have the necessary funds on hand, you can apply for an 
Discover where and why excess moisture is entering your property;
When you choose an environmental testing company, it’s important to select a firm that provides independent and unbiased testing—meaning the company only performs testing, and not remediation. This is a very important distinction. Here’s why:
In 2016, New York State 
RTK Environmental is an independent, licensed, and certified testing company that performs only high-quality environmental testing and does not do remediation. RTK’s results are unbiased because RTK has no conflict-of-interest. If asked, RTK will refer property owners to at least three reliable and reputable remediation companies. We want to be sure that our clients are protected from mold remediation scams. It’s why RTK has been trusted and recommended for over 25 years. 
A: Mold is a fungus that devours other natural components. It can consume fruit on your kitchen table, damp wallboard, or fabric that is neither dry nor aired. Mold can look like discoloration, and appear like fuzz or a black smudge as it consumes whatever it has latched onto.
A: Mold detection can be tricky. It is impossible to see every area where it may be present unless you have the right technology. And do-it-yourself mold testing kits can be unreliable. The best way to determine the full scope of your mold problem is when comprehensive samplings are taken during professional testing by a certified and trained mold inspector. At RTK, that’s what we do.
A: No. Mold is naturally occurring and present in almost every environment. 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. Since most environments contain mold, it is difficult to determine whether the mold spores you collect are from a dangerous indoor colony or just part of the normal outside environment.
A: No, but it is still a health hazard. Mold of any color can be classified as either a “toxin” or an “allergen.” While toxic mold can create the most serious health problems, all types of mold and mildew can cause health issues, especially among those who suffer from allergies and asthma. Mold is a leading cause of airborne allergies.
A: At worst, toxic mold can cause serious health issues; at best, mold and mildew aggravate allergies. Mold causes breathing difficulties, skin rashes, headaches, cough, wheezing, and asthma.
A: It depends. There’s only one way to fully understand the extent of your mold problem and that is to have a professional, independent mold inspector conduct a test. Why? Mold spores are lightweight and tiny and spread easily, so it’s very easy for someone not accustomed to working with mold to cross-contaminate “clean” areas of their home with contaminated areas. The EPA provides more 
A: That’s a bad idea that can cost you thousands more! Homeowners should hire two separate companies for testing and remediation, according to an article in Angie’s List which states: “Hire one company to do the testing and another to remediate to eliminate any conflict of interest.” Unfortunately, companies that do both may offer cheap or free mold testing and then make up the difference through remediation services. Companies that perform both testing and remediation are known to exaggerate—or even fabricate—a mold problem to profit on a costly remediation job. These companies are banking on homeowners who are not educated. This problem became so widespread that in New York State, a consumer protection law now makes it illegal for the same company to test and remediate the same mold job. Laws vary by state, so be sure to check your local law.
Answer: Wrong. Mold can return to water damaged sites that were remediated too quickly, before the area was completely dry. In these cases, remediators sealed up the walls only to trap moisture inside a dark, warm area, where mold thrives. Don’t get caught in a trap. If you had water damage and had it repaired immediately or incorrectly, you may still find mold reappears, either because the home didn’t fully dry, treatment did not work, or unscrupulous contractors didn’t actually kill it. Trust only an independent, Certified Microbial Investigator to tell you where the mold is and when your home is dry enough to fix.
Answer: Possibly. If the mold is visible and the area is small enough (less than a 3-ft.-x- 3-ft. square patch), you can probably clean the mold yourself. The EPA provides 
remediation, according to an article from 
Answer: Yes, although many are not. Be sure that your environmental testing company holds the Certified Microbial Investigator accreditation from the American Council for Accredited Certification. In New York, mold inspectors must also be trained, certified, and licensed by the state. Choose carefully. To find out if the individual or company you want to hire is certified, 
burst pipes happened when they were on vacation during the winter recess. Unsuspecting consumers returned home to mold and water damage from frozen pipes that defrosted and ruptured while they were away. When hiring contractors and contacting your insurance company, make sure you know about the new law in New York that protects homeowners from mold remediation con games. The regulations can save you thousands of dollars in unnecessary repairs, as well as protect your health.
large profits on remediating a very small problem. The law also requires NYS licensure and certification in order to conduct mold testing or remediation. This will prevent unskilled workers from improper handling of mold and from possible cross contamination that can lead to health issues.
wn property in New York State, a new law aimed at protecting homeowners from mold remediation con games can save you thousands of dollars in unnecessary repairs, as well as protect your health. 
According to the New York State Department of Labor, the law mandates that an assessment be performed to define the scope of mold remediation before the cleanup is carried out, a practice that RTK has employed for decades.