Do it yourself home mold test kits. Avoid them!

Saturday, May 16, 2009 by Michael-Bains

Home mold test kits sold online and at home improvement centers are worthless.  They are misleading to the public and a waste of money for the user.  To understand if a home or office space has a mold problem requires an inspection by a trained Indoor Air Quality professional and professional level testing.  Consumer Reports issued a statement about these kits in a recent piece called "5 home repairs you shouldn't ignore". 

Here is what they had to say about Mold and Mildew and home test kits:

"Even houses in arid climates aren't immune. Hot outdoor temperatures can drive even small amounts of water trapped in the structure to condense on colder interior surfaces, leading to mold. Musty odors, dank air, and family members with chronic runny noses are warning signs. Check under carpets and around windows for visible mold or mildew. Also remove cover plates for cable-TV, phone, and Internet connections, and use a flashlight to peer behind walls and wallpaper for mold.

Avoid mold tests sold at home centers and online. Each of the kits we tested had significant flaws that were serious enough to earn them a Not Recommended Rating in our 2006 tests."

If you need to find a professional mold inspector, use our inspector search tool.  What should you look for in a quality black mold inspection company?