Preparing for mold testing is an important step in ensuring accurate results and a safe environment. By following a few simple guidelines, you can help facilitate the process and make it more effective.

Remove obstructions. The first step is to prepare a path for the mold inspector to access any areas of suspected mold or areas of humidity. Our inspectors are not cleared for moving furniture, heavy equipment, or personal belongings. If you have challenges with clearing a path, or if you have questions, please give us a call.

Keep doors and windows closed for at least 3 hours. When windows and doors are open, especially to the outside, then the spore count within the room becomes diluted with outside air, and testing may not present a true measure of normal conditions in the room. Other than opening doors to come and go as needed, please leave windows and doors closed prior to testing for a minimum of 3 hours.

Shut off all air purification machines for at least 24 hours. Since air purifiers are used to capture mold, bacteria, and mycotoxins from the air, performing air tests and other sampling in rooms where air purifiers have been running will not yield results that reflect the normal condition of the rooms.

Turn off dehumidifiers/humidifiers for at least 24 hours. Once again, this will help to achieve more accurate testing results.

Switch off heating/air conditioning systems at least 2 hours in advance of testing.

Do not have any landscaping or grass/plant cutting for at least 4 hours before testing.

Shut off any fans / exhaust fans in the area to be tested at least 3 hours prior to testing.

Avoid showering or bathing in the area for 24 hours prior to testing, so the inspector will be able to get an accurate understanding of any leaks that may be behind the walls.

When dealing with mold and conditions that cause mold, such as excess moisture, it’s important to consider how changes to the area would potentially affect testing. Please contact your mold inspection company if you have any questions of concerns about this.