Last Updated on July 28, 2015
Many of us will always back out of an endeavour because of the cost that comes with it. Whether you are building or renovating a home or purchasing a new appliance, you will always have second thoughts with the price that it will mean to you. For that matter, we tend to just sacrifice the comfort these new things will bring.
Well, the same thing can happen when we are caught in between choosing to use an expert to help us with our home inspection and that of using a mold testing kit when dealing with molds. There are mold inspectors out there and we are aware that they do exist. The problem is we always do not want to spend much when hiring these expert mold inspectors. We tend to resort to a thriftier choice, that is, through the use of mold test kits. Are you aware of the fact that using these can cause you some trouble? Let us explain that even further through the following.
It is often hard to look for a reliable brand
You can actually see a number of DIY mold test kits available for purchase in any store around the corner. In fact, a neighbour or a relative of yours may have recommended the use of a certain brand to do so. Whilst these brands claim they are the best brand for a mold test kit in the market, there is reason to worry. These test kits should only be used by experts and not by ordinary homeowners like you.
Mold testing results are often easily misinterpreted
Mold testing should always come with some caution. When you choose the DIY mold test kit, there is no guarantee that you can collect samples the way you want. You have to take all the necessary precautions not just to protect yourself but to make sure that the result can be interpreted correctly. The problem with DIY mold test kits is there is no guarantee you can do that. More often than not, the results are wrong simply because you have collected the samples in the wrong way.
You have to remember that in order to get reliable results from mold testing, you will be required to get as many samples as you can. In many cases, as a homeowner or business owner using the DIY mold test kit, the idea of collecting large samples will be quite overwhelming and you know this can cost much once you send the sample to a microbiological lab for analysis. Tendency is you will settle for the smaller sample size thus compromising the result.
It does not help assess the health hazards brought about by these indoor microorganisms
If there is another instant where a DIY mold test kit will fail you, that will be the fact that you will not actually be able to assess how much of a specific mold type is present and which of these various types are hazardous to your health. When this happens, you will not be able to get a closer look into what needs immediate remediation. You cannot just say that since there is dampness along a certain structure then that area needs remediation right away. The same is true that you cannot say that no remediation is needed in an area with lesser water build-up.
It can compromise human health
Mold testing is a thing that no ordinary homeowner or business owner should handle by themselves. As we all know, mold build-up can result to a host of illnesses apart from possible allergic reactions that may come along the way. You cannot just rely on what the mold test kit says presuming that if you follow all instructions given in the box then you are safe from any health hazard. As an occupant of that structure, you are not exempted from respiratory infections, asthma attacks, breathing difficulties and all other symptoms.
Mold testing is limited to a number of purposes
We cannot totally rule out the need for mold testing but remember that there are limitations as to how it should be done. First, it should be used to help you determine the scope and type of contamination and how far it may have affected your structure. Remember that the degree of contamination will depend upon the type of mold present in the structure.
We are reiterating time and again though that mold testing should at least be done with the supervision of a mold inspector. These experts understand how mold can affect you and your structure in the process. Better yet entrust the entire job to them rather than use a DIY mold test kit that can be readily available in stores elsewhere. Remember it is always better to be safe than sorry especially in cases like this.
With all these in mind, drop the thought of using a DIY mold test kit. Leave the inspection to us and together, we can work on getting rid of that mold in your building structures.