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1. Certified Mold Inspector’s Toolbox

   October 29, 2013 9:18 am Leave a Comment

   The mold inspector you hire should have a valid certification, carry worker’s compensation insurance and professional liability insurance. Years of experience investigating mold problems and indoor air quality are also useful because there are several tools a certified mold inspector can use to assist with his/her investigation. Here are some of the tools you should be on the lookout for when the certified mold inspector arrives at your property:

   Flashlight – a powerful, high lumen flashlight is essential for visual detection of mold in dark spaces like behind appliances. A professional mold inspector with years of experience knows that a high-powered flashlight is a necessary component to a thorough mold investigation. The type of work calls from more than a MagLite sold at typical hardware stores.

   

   Digital Camera – Mold professionals that take their job seriously use digital cameras. Yes, smart phones have great camera. But there’s nothing more annoying than receiving a call, a calendar reminder or text message while taking photographs of suspected fungal activity. A digital camera is a stand-alone tool use to document the events during the inspection and provide evidence a thorough mold inspection was performed.

   

   Knee Pads – detecting mold in low places like under sinks and crawlspaces require good knee protection because there swill be a lot of kneeling and pressing the knew against the ground. Avoid personal liability by insisting that your mold expire wear the personal protective equipment (PPE) that will ensure safety during the entire process.

   

   Respirator – When there is a musty odor and/or visible signs of mold growth, a mold professional should be equipped with a full-face respirator. Ethical mold inspectors will use this when he/she feels is appropriate depending on the condition of property. This should no be used asa scare tactic but rather as another piece of PPE to avoid undue mold exposure. Remember: experience mold investigators are disproportionately expose to mold versus the general public because they are called out daily in their line of work. Full-face respirators are the best protection against mold making contact with the respiratory tract and eye membrane.

   

   Moisture Meters – Mold problems arise from moisture making contact with materials such as drywall, wood and organic products like leather. Mold enzymes break down these materials with the assistance of moisture. The moisture and the mold decomposing the materials usually produce a musty odor. There are several types of moisture meters. Discerning mold inspectors usually have an invasive moisture meter to penetrate walls and a non-invasive meter to apply to surfaces without damaging them. The last thing you want is a bunch of punctures to your wall to detect moisture when a non-invasive moisture meter would have done the job without the damage to your nicely painted walls. Thermal imaging cameras are hi-tech gadgets that detect moisture (varying temperatures), not mold. A wall can be dry and full of mold inside the wall cavity and a thermal imaging camera won’t detect the mold.

   

   Air Sampling Pumps – A mold investigation is incomplete if there is no sampling. An experienced inspector can tell i what s/he sees is mold, but you should insist on a mold sample to verify the type of mold and concentration. The cost of mold testing (sampling) should be separate cost because the samples will be analyzed by a third party accredited elaborator. Several types of samples can be collected on-site: swab, tape lift, bulk material and air sampling.

   • Bio Pump Plus
     • Bio Pump Plus is a high-tech air sampling pump that is used for collecting air samples indoors and outdoors.
   • E-Lite Pump
     • E-Lite pump is a rugged pump best used for collecting wall cavity samples from walls, ceiling and floorboards. A thorough mold inspection should include a combination of air quality and wall cavity sampling when water damage is the issue.

    

   Remember the following points when considering a mold professional to investigate water damage or indoor air quality concerns at your property:

   1. Mold inspectors should be certified, insured and experienced.
   2. Certified mold inspectors should be independent, test-only professionals that do not affiliate with mold removal companies.
   3. Certified and insured mold professionals arrive equipped with all tools that are necessary to perform a complete and thorough analysis of your property.

2. Same Day Mold Testing, Inc. – Angie’s List 2012 Super Service Award

   December 14, 2012 9:14 am Leave a Comment

   Same Day Mold Testing, Inc. arms Esteemed 2012 Angie’s List Super Service Award

   Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service

   Same Day Mold Testing, Inc, has earned the service industry- coveted 2012 Angie’s List Super Service Award, an honor awarded annually to approximately 5 percent of all the companies rated on Angie’s List, the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local service companies.

   “The team at Same Day Mold Testing, Inc. is elated that Angie’s List members have consistently regarded us as a provider of excellent customer service in the mold testing services industry. We pride ourselves on being educators about the distinction between Test Only and Test and Remove companies. It is our position that consumers benefit when they realize the inherent conflict of interest for Test and Remove companies that may exaggerate problems and overcharge for solutions.” Jason Harris, CMI Same Day Mold Testing, Inc.

   It’s a select group of companies rated on Angie’s List that can claim the exemplary customer service record of being a Super Service Award winner,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “Our standards for the Super Service Award are quite high. The fact that Same Day Mold Testing, Inc. earned this reputation speaks volumes about its dedication providing great service to its customers.”

   Angie’s List Super Service Award 2012 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, including earning a minimum number of reports, an excellent rating from their customers and abiding by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

   Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List. Companies are graded on A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality. Members can find the 2012 Super Service Award logo next to company names in search results on AngiesList.com.

3. Mold Inspection Costs? It’s Not Free For Sure! Here’s Why…

   December 3, 2012 9:16 am Leave a Comment

   Ever heard the saying, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch?” Well, that saying hold true for mold inspection costs. Here’s the lowdown on how much you should expect to pay for a mold inspection. But first, you need to know there are two types of mold inspectors: mold testing only and mold testing & mold repair.

   1. Mold Test Only. Mold inspection companies should only perform mold testing and not perform mold repair. It is considered a conflict of interest to do both because the test and repair company may exaggerate the problem in order to overcharge for a solution. Mold inspection costs for test only companies are paid at the time of the inspection. The test only business molded is preferred because consumer are less likely to be uphold on costly repairs if the inspector should up for free. In essence, mold removal companies pose as mold inspectors to offer free inspections to unsuspecting customers. Be sure to hire a mold test only company when you are trying to determine if you have a mold problem. Paying mold costs up front will lessen the likelihood of overpaying of mold repairs.
   2. Mold Test and Mold Repair. Several test and repair companies backload the cost of mold testing by offering low-cost or free mold inspections for the purpose of being the first responder. Conventional wisdom holds that first responders will usually get the job. So, how do you think mold removal companies cover the mold inspection cost? Each visit costs $50-$100 just to show up. There’s the advertising dollar spent to get your cell, the phone bill, the cost of labor to take the call and show up to your property, fuel and other costs of doing business (insurance, utilities). If a mold removal company shows up to ten house for “free”without getting a single job, they’re out nearly a thousand dollars. They simply couldn’t stay in business without finding a mold “problem.” And they won’t be profitable unless a majority of the house have a mold “problem.” That is why mold test and repair companies exaggerate problems and overcharge for solutions.
   3. Mold Inspection Cost. Once you know the difference between mold test-only and mold test & mold repair, you have a better appreciation for the cost of mold testing. As stated in the mold test and mold repair paragraph, it cost $50-$100 just to show up. Then there is the time factor associated with performing the mold inspection and providing a mold report. Of course, every company needs to make a profit to effectively serve customers. All told, mold inspection costs by a reputable company range from $150 to $250. There are other mold costs as well, known as mold sampling. Mold testing is necessary for several reasons: mold identification, mold concentration, and indoor air quality. The going rate for mold sampling is $100 per sample. The inspection company pays an accredited laboratory to analyze the mold samples. Mold sampling is a mold cost that is helpful in determining the extent of the mold problem and establishing a scope of work for mold repair. The total number of samples vary for each job. The mold inspector makes sampling recommendations based on the factors associated with the building and its occupants.

   To Summarize:

   • Mold inspection costs are real and should be expected for most consumers. It is rare that a customer will be told there is no problem when it cost the company $50-$100 just to show up.
   • Mold test and repair companies will show up for “free” but their objective is to show up first so they can exaggerate problems and overcharge for solutions.
   • Mold test only companies will charge to show up and charge for each sample. They are a better option because there is no hidden agenda to sell you on a potentially unnecessary repair.
   • Be an informed consumer of mold services and hire a test only, certified mold inspector.

4. Same Day Mold Testing Earns 2011 Angie’s List Super Service Award

   October 12, 2012 9:31 pm Leave a Comment

   Same Day Mold Testing has been awarded the prestigious 2011 Angie’s List Super Service Award, an honor bestowed annually on approximately 5 percent of all the businesses rated on the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local service and health providers.

   “It is an honor to be selected for the Angie’s List Super Service Award for two consecutive years! It is truly a testament of our commitment to providing excellent service, high value, and prudent guidance for indoor environmental hazards. We are thankful to have this recognition from members of a national leader in consumer review ratings. We trust the Award will convey trust and confidence when consumers hire Same Day Mold Testing for their indoor environmental assessments.” Jason Harris, CMI – Same Day Mold Testing.

   “Only a fraction of the businesses rated on Angie’s List can claim the sterling service record of being a Super Service Award winner because we set a high bar,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “The fact that Same Day Mold Testing can claim Super Service Award status speaks volumes about its dedication to consumers.”

   Angie’s List Super Service Award winners have met strict eligibility requirements including earning a minimum number of reports, an exemplary rating from their clients and abiding by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

   Ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List, but members can find the 2011 Super Service Award logo next to business name in search results on AngiesList.com.

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