Top To Bottom Services provides comprehensive mold testing in Maryland for the home you live in or one you are looking to purchase. Our staff of highly trained inspectors and ancillary service technicians are always available to take mold samples from air or surfaces; all samples are sent to a certified third-party lab for analysis and reporting. We use cutting-edge technology to test your place for mold.
If you are interested in mold inspection in Maryland, as part of your real estate purchase, be sure to speak to your Realtor® for all the information on what may or may not be applicable to your situation and permitted and/or negotiable per your real estate transaction contract.
Please Note: “Mold” is a non-scientific term for many types of fungi—they may appear as unwanted, unappealing patches of black, brown, yellow, pink, green, smelly, fuzzy growths. Other times, they may only present an odor, but no visible signs. Countless species of mold are found both indoors and outdoors.
I Did Not See Any Mold When I Toured The
House With My Agent, Do I Need To Test For It?
Mold Air Testing is the best way to identify mold in a home, when there are no visible signs. Airborne mold spores pose many of the same health risks as visible mold growth but due to the lack of visible growth, often go untreated.
Our staff will collect air samples from around the home, as well as a “control” sample of the air outside the home; this will allow our lab to compare the types of mold outside, to those found inside the home and determine if they are in a higher concentration indoors, indicating active growth.
How Many Air Samples Will I Need To
Purchase For My Home?
Each indoor sample roughly accounts for 1,000 sqft of livable space on each floor. Therefore, if you have a 3,000 sqft, two-story home with a basement, you will want to purchase our 4-Sample Air Test; one outdoor “control” sample plus one sample per floor of the home. Once analyzed, these results would provide the clearest picture of what is going on in the home. After being sent away to an independent third-party lab for analysis, you will receive a report detailing not only the types of mold present, but the true spore count in the home, and whether it is elevated compared to the outdoor air.
Everything You Need Right Under One Roof!
I Saw An Odd Discoloration On The Wall, Do I Need A Full Air Test, Or Can We Test Just That Spot?
While it is still recommended to do the full air test, it is certainly possible for our staff to only take a swab or “tape” sample of that area of discoloration. When performed in conjunction with air sampling, however, surface testing can help to verify if the source of mold in the air is likely to be related to the observed discoloration or not.
When it comes to surface sampling, if the discoloration you are seeing is on a hard, flat surface, our staff will likely use an adhesive tester to “lift” a sample from the wall. Alternatively, if the spot is on soft or loose materials—such as carpet or insulation—our staff may elect to roll a swab across the area to “lift” the sample. In either scenario, this sample will then be sent to a third-party lab for analysis. When you receive the report, it will firstly confirm if the observed discoloration is in-fact mold growth in the spot tested, as well as the type of mold/species present.
Does This Have To Be Requested During The Scheduling Process, Or Can It Be Added At The Inspection?
Our Maryland mold inspectors carry the necessary testing equipment with them to every home inspection, so you can always add the service later if suspicious conditions are found. Your inspector can discuss your testing options, his/her recommendations, and the associated costs. You and your family’s health and safety are our primary concern.
