Mold Testing and Procedures

“Do I need mold testing?” This is a question that we in the business hear too often, followed closely by “I bought one of the testing kits from the big box stores and it grew mold!” 

Well, of course it did; there is mold everywhere!

We understand that there can be a lot of confusion when it comes to mold testing or mold damage, and we’d like to set the record straight. This is particularly important if you’ve had water damage, experienced a flood, or had an HVAC malfunction. Sometimes even strong odors in your home can indicate a mold issue.

In this article, we’ll look into the details of mold testing for your home or business, when it’s appropriate and why you should trust First Call with it, a professional mold remediation company serving the Burlington and Triangle areas.

When it comes to serving your home or business, First Call is always the right call. With our business, honesty, fairness, and transparency come before profit, and we never take shortcuts. Our IICRC, BPI, and NADCA certifications and our strong Google reviews show the same commitment to quality and integrity that we bring to every job. Contact us! Don’t wait while the damage spreads. Call First Call at (336) 227-1807.

How Can You Test for Mold?

As we mentioned, DIY mold test kits can’t always be trusted to give you accurate results, and they certainly can’t partner with you to uncover the root cause and fix it. Our trained professionals can. 

Mold testing is something that is used to gauge the amount of spores that are present in the air or on the surface of a particular area.  The two most common ways to test for mold are by air testing and by surface testing. Testing should be done by a third party Industrial Hygienist only, and not by the cleaning company that is performing the remediation or a “DIY” test.  

Surface Testing and Air Testing

Surface testing can be done with a swab or tape with a clean approved sticky film. 

These samples are then taken to a lab where the tests are put in an environment to grow, and the mold that is grown is tested to see the type and amount. The results are then relayed back to the Industrial Hygienist and a report is developed for the home owner. 

The results can vary depending on outside conditions on that specific day, and indoor conditions of the concerned area or areas.

From a remediator’s standpoint, the results are very important. They can tell us if the mold has gone into unaffected areas. If it is a dangerous mold, tests can give us an idea on a remediation plan, and ensure that the cleaning is done properly.

Your home deserves to be safeguarded from mold and poor air quality. Failure to do so can not only cause health problems but also make it more difficult for those who have chronic allergies or diseases such as asthma or COPD.

Your home isn’t the only place where mold can affect your health. Businesses should take a closer look at mold testing, too. Sick employees hurt productivity, and a company that fails to address mold proactively may also face liability. 

10 Signs That Your Business Needs Mold Removal Services  

In your business, you take each meeting and each interaction seriously.

You may even embrace the cliché that “time is money.” Every moment at your business needs to be productive and efficient…

…and mold can cut into that efficiency.

How?

Mold can be the sign of “sick building syndrome” – which means your employees are more likely to suffer from allergies, colds, sinus infections and even asthma problems. When your employees aren’t healthy, your business isn’t healthy.

Mold cannot only cause absenteeism, it can reduce efficiency and even put you at risk for liability.

Mold removal services can help.

Does Your Business Need a Mold Removal Company? Check for These 10 Signs

1. Your employees report allergy symptoms

Have you noticed that your human resources director is hoarse from time to time? Are employees calling in sick or—even worse—coming into work when they have a stuffy nose or a headache?

You may have even noticed a slip in productivity because your employees are not feeling 100 percent.

This is a sign of some of the hazards of mold.

When you contact First Call, we’ll take a careful look at all areas of your business and if mold is discovered, we’ll create a comprehensive plan to take care of it for you.

2. You see mold.

This is one of the most obvious indicators but be aware that not all mold is easily evident. Some may be hidden in air ducts or along tiny crevices in woodwork.

If an employee sees something that he or she thinks is mold, take their report seriously. A quick call to First Call and we’ll be able to diagnose the problem accurately and in a timely manner.

3. Your offices smell musty.

Even if you don’t see any obvious mold, your nose can detect musty and damp odors that are a strong indication that a problem is lurking nearby. If this odor is coming from areas that are prone to gather moisture, then call a mold removal company—like our experts at First Call—immediately.

4. There’s standing water in your building.

It never fails—there’s that one spot that always seems to gather moisture after a big rain or thunderstorm. If you see this, don’t ignore it. Standing water usually means that mold will follow.

If you want to minimize the chances of mold growth, contact us as soon as you see standing water.

5. Your building has excessive humidity.

When you live in North Carolina, the August humidity can be brutal. But if your building or warehouse is having difficulty controlling the humidity indoors throughout the year, you may have a problem on your hands.

6. You notice water spots.

Water spots are an indicator that moisture is leaking into areas where it doesn’t belong, and every water spot has the potential to create and spread mold.

Are you sensing a pattern?

Mold thrives in moisture. It’s where it grows and reproduces thanks to tiny spores that travel through the air until they land on another moist area and the cycle begins again.

Typically, in small amounts, mold spores don’t cause problems for those who are reasonably healthy. But when these spores pair with a moist environment, they can spread and reproduce exponentially, setting the stage for health problems, some of which can be quite serious.

7. Discoloration of surfaces.

Discoloration is often a sign that water or moisture is leaking into a certain area of your office or warehouse.

Make sure your employees report this and any similar signs of moisture to you.

8. You have leaky pipes.

Wait, isn’t that a plumbing problem? Well, it is, but it can also lead to a deeper problem of mold growth. Leaky pipes create hidden, wet areas where mold can thrive.

In addition, remember that just because you have your pipes fixed doesn’t mean the situation is resolved. You should always follow up with a mold removal company like First Call. Failure to do so could mean more extensive—and expensive—damage later.

9. You have signs of dust (that isn’t dust).

Do you know what mold spores look like?

Individually, they’re tiny, but when they grow together, they form fuzzy or slimy discolorations. Remember that mold isn’t just black; it can come in other colors that are gray, brown, or white. They may appear like dust or even sand.

Be aware of your surroundings, and if you see these spores, it’s time to take action.

10. You have ventilation problems.

Do your bathrooms have exhaust fans?

Is your office kitchen well-ventilated?

If your building has a basement, is it dry?

Ventilation is the key to keeping areas dry. If you’ve had any issues in the past with ventilation, you’re certainly going to have problems with mold that you can’t afford to ignore.

Professional Mold Removal Services in Greensboro, Burlington, and the Triangle Area

There’s a reason we’re called First Call.

When you have a problem, we want to be the first one on your mind. Why? Because we have much more than experience and expertise. We have a dedication to customer service that puts us head and shoulders above other mold removal companies.

Our equipment and technology are modern, but we still maintain our “old-fashioned” values of treating others like we want to be treated. We still believe in the Golden Rule, and we still believe in treating you with respect and courtesy.

If your business is showing any of these signs of mold, don’t delay. Contact us for an estimate today.

While we’ve talked about signs of mold in your business — and many of those principles can apply to finding mold in your home as well— let’s take a moment to review the importance of being proactive as we delve into why mold testing should always be a consideration if you have any concerns or doubts.

Why You Should Test for Mold in Your Business

Mold lurks quietly in the corners and recesses of your business. It waits for a chance to make your employees sick with allergic and respiratory issues.

Not only can commercial mold testing help your company, but it can save you from liability.

However, many businesses overlook the importance of mold removal services (OSHA guidelines), which is why we’ve provided this list of 5 important facts about why mold removal is vital to your business and why you should test for mold in your business. We’ll also look at how mold removal companies like First Call can help.

We’ve touched on some of these earlier, but they’re so important that they warrant repeating. Therefore, we’ll examine these elements a little more in depth.

5 Reasons Why You Should Test for Mold in Your Business

1. It Helps Your Bottom Line

When workers are sick due to mold, it affects your productivity, which, in turn, has an impact on your profits. Those who have allergies are particularly susceptible to mold-related problems.

Now consider this:

More than 50 million Americans have allergies, making it the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in America, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.  That equates to an annual cost of $18 billion.

Odds are, some of your employees have allergies, and their absence costs you productivity and profit.

2. It Is a Cure for “Sick Building Syndrome”

What do we mean by sick building syndrome? This is a name given to a cluster of symptoms caused by environmental conditions. These symptoms disappear when those affected leave the building.

This means the illness is caused by something in your business. If you don’t take care of it, you’ll have a harder time getting and retaining good employees—not to mention the risk of liability.

Sick building syndrome presents symptoms such as:

• Fatigue
• Dry, itchy skin
• Throat irritation
• Fatigue
• Headaches

3. It Takes Care of “Hidden” Mold

At First Call, we understand that when you see mold, there is probably more that you don’t see. Remember that mold can easily hide in bathrooms, ventilation, or anywhere steam and moisture collects. You can’t correct the problem if you don’t know the extent of it! That’s the main reason why you should test for mold in your business.

Only thorough mold removal services can ensure that the situation is completely resolved.

4. It Helps You Respond Immediately to Problems

One of the key elements of avoiding liability is showing that you addressed mold issues quickly and completely.

But how do you know you have a problem unless you proactively check for mold? This is one reason why we encourage businesses to take a proactive approach to avoid a more extensive problem later.

At First Call, we realize how important it is for you to get back to business as usual. That’s why we offer service that is done in a timely, yet complete manner. We want to get you back into your building as soon as it is safely possible. We’re even available to take care of mold problems during weekends and evenings when employees are not working.

5. It Can Stop More Serious Issues

Mold can quickly spread to consume almost every nook and cranny in your business. The key to stopping mold is to eliminate it before it gets out of control.

What Are the Advantages of Working with Mold Removal Companies?

We realize that DIY mold removal is tempting. After all, it seems so simple. Just apply some bleach and clean the area, right?

Wrong.

Doing so doesn’t kill all the spores, and it can let mold continue to grow. 

Hiring a cleaning crew isn’t enough. You need a company that is an expert in the restoration business.

That’s why for large mold removal services, First Call is always the right call. We can do many of the things you may not have considered, such as:

Cordoning Off the Area

If you don’t work with the pros, you could inadvertently spread mold to other parts of the building. We make sure that doesn’t happen.

Removing Contaminated Items

If you’re removing damaged items, it’s important that they do not contaminate other parts of the building. It’s also vital that you remove them without causing damage to your own health. We have the protective gear and equipment needed.

When You Need Mold Removal Testing, First Call is the Right Call

We’ve been serving clients in the Piedmont and Triangle areas for decades. We’re dedicated to offering the best in customer service and have served large businesses, schools, and universities.” 

Make the right call by contacting us for mold removal services to get an estimate.