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Hot tip: share the sample Client Contract for Mold Inspection/Testing with your attorney so that he or she can make the best possible mold inspection and testing contract for your particular situation and your state's laws.
Mold Testing Techniques & Tips

Q.  I have been hired to inspect and mold test a condominium which about 3 weeks ago was subjected to a flood of water from an overflowing toilet in the suite above my client's condo.  The owners above couldn't figure out how to get the toilet to stop, so it kept flooding for quite a few minutes.  Water poured down through several routes: through the smoke detector, inside a wall from where it then flowed out to both on top of and (apparently) underneath newly installed "wood" laminate floor, and through the vent in the bathroom. The restoration company that was called in by the condo mgt. said everything looked OK and saw no reason to do any restoration work.  However, subsequently, my clients have been noticing an extremely noxious sour odor that seems to be getting worse each day.  In addition, they also haven't been feeling very well - very achy and tired - and they are wondering if there is a hidden mold problem that could be, at the least, causing the bad odor and, at the worst, making them sick.  As there is no visible sign of mold anywhere, I am wondering if there is a way to test for hidden mold infestation without having to actually tear out drywall?  What are your P.C.I. recommendations?

A. One way to detect hidden mold growth inside walls and ceilings is to turn off the appropriate electrical circuit breaker, and then remove the plastic electrical switch and outlet cover plates. Use an electrical circuit tester to make sure the power is off to each outlet or switch before you proceed to mold testing.  Use a mold culture plate impactor [or air testing cassette pump] to draw an air sample for at least 10 minutes from inside the wall in each testing location.  Then seal the mold test kit, and properly mark it as to testing location, your client's name, property address, date of testing, and testing method [mold culture plate impactor test]. You would use a separate mold culture plate for each hole that you are drawing air out of.  You can do the same procedure to test inside ceilings, by disconnecting the screws holding up the ceiling light [letting it hang by the electrical wires]. Remember to test the circuit with an circuit tester to make sure there is no power to the light.  In addition, you will also want to mold test the air of each room, attic, basement, crawl space, and the outward air flow from each heating/cooling duct register for the possible presence of elevated levels of airborne mold spores, in comparison to an outdoor mold control test. As to the flooring, and likely mold growth beneath and in the flooring, you need to drill several well-spaced testing holes into the flooring in several areas to conduct similar tests. Of course, you get your client's written consent in advance for such hole drilling, and you will need to immediately seal the holes afterwards with a wood putty to keep any mold spores from escaping.

For more info on mold inspection testing techniques, please visit:

 Client Contract Mold Inspection    Visual Mold Inspection    Hidden Moisture Meter    Find Water Leaks
   Industrial Hygienists Recommendations    Mold Inspection Client Agreement    Dogs Sniff Mold    Radar Mold Finder
   Mold Testing In Schools    Mold Lab Identification    Radio Waves See Inside Walls    Infrared Mold Inspection
   Mold In Water Testing
 


Mold growth in a Ft. Worth, Texas, apartment.

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