Mold Assessment

Mold assessment report is a document prepared by a Florida DBPR licensed

mold assessor for a client.  The mold report describes any observations made,

measurements taken (samples), and locations and analytical results of samples

taken by the assessor during a mold inspection. An assessment report can

be either a stand‐alone document or a part of a mold management plan

or mold remediation protocol or mold remediation recommendations prepared by the mold assessor.

Air Sampling only: “Mold Air Sampling only” is often used to help determine the extent of a mold problem and/or to help "clear" a Marco Island mold remediation project.

Air sampling protocols (minimum)recommend an air sample be collected by the main return area of each HVAC system.  If home is a 2 story structure, an air sample is recommended on each floor.

·        An outdoor sample (baseline sample) is also required.

·        Minimum air sampling (mold testing) is one sample outdoors and one sample indoors.

·        For insurance claims a surface sample of any visible mold is generally required (tape lift or swab).

Mold Assessment (Inspection / Air Samples/ Recommendations):

We use Infrared cameras, moisture meters, etc.  We provide source identification, documentation of extent and amplification of mold, photo documentation with recommendations for corrections based on national guides such as S500 & S520 for the accessible indoor living space.

(Assessment = visual inspection & air sampling for accessible indoor space)

What You Need to Know About a Marco Island Mold Assessment

The purpose of a visual assessment for mold is to identify and document the following criteria: 

1) the location(s) of interior substrates and/or contents displaying visible mold growth;

 2) conditions actively conducive to mold growth (i.e. wet building materials, high humidity, HVAC problems, etc.);

 3) conditions previously conducive to mold growth (i.e. water damaged materials that are currently dry);

4) the potential source(s) of moisture that are deemed responsible for creating the identified problem(s); and

5) determine the indoor air quality as it specifically relates to aerosolized mold spore concentrations (i.e. consistency with normal fungal ecology).

Air sampling only for mold (which is commonly performed with a “home inspection”) should not be relied upon as a conclusive determination about a given property’s mold condition. Air sample analysis is useful and valuable information however it does have significant limitations. For instance, air sampling data will not identify the “source” location(s) and all too often can show a non-elevated airborne condition (i.e. passing air samples) even though a mold problem exists within the home.

The above criteria are not typically included with a general “home inspection” that is primarily designed to identify “functionality” issues (i.e. what works and what doesn’t work) of a given home. All too often, we receive air sample reports showing elevated airborne concentrations yet the inspector doesn’t identify the actual source of the problem and defers them to a remediator. Unfortunately with this scenario, the remediation company doesn’t know the source either and there ends up being more questions than answers.  Conversely, we have seen countless passing air samples yet a mold problem is found after the fact.

At the end of the day, do not rely on air samples only or air samples performed with a “home inspection” to give you a conclusive perspective of the property’s mold condition. If mold is a concern, have a mold assessment and not just air samples. It will save a lot of time and money to do it right from the start.