DIY Mold Test Kits vs Professional Testing
DIY mold testing kits can seem appealing- they are cheap, convenient, and give the consumer an option to immediately start collecting information about the condition of their home. Professional testing can seem expensive in comparison, combined with having to schedule a formal appointment. What is the difference between these two testing methods and which should you choose?
Analyzing and identifying mold samples does not vary much between labs. Both sample you collect with a DIY kit and the samples that we collect will be analyzed under microscopes by biologists using very similar methods. The major differences in the samples will be methods for collection and interpretations of results.
Collection:
DIY kits will have detailed collection instructions but there are often other environmental factors that should be taken into account. These factors vary from house to house and are often based on weather conditions, indoor cleanliness and occupant history. A professional inspector takes many environmental factors into account when collecting samples and follows specific protocol for collecting and releasing samples to the lab.
Interpretation:
Interpretation of lab results is one of the most important elements of mold testing. Because the EPA has not established safe levels of airborne mold spores, many environmental aspects must be taken into account when interpreting results. Because mold is a natural part of the environment, it is essential to establish baselines to compare samples against. This is typically done using outdoor air from the sampling location or unaffected areas of the indoor living space.
Typically DIY kits will give you raw data from your collected sample and you are left to interpret what that means for your living conditions. The DIY lab may be able to tell you if the sample contains elevated counts or the presence of toxigenic molds, but will not take into account if there’s a nearby field being cut or the grass was just mowed outside your house. A crawlspace or attic hatch being opened prior to the sample being collected can drastically raise spore counts; even ceiling fans being in operation can affect indoor spore count levels up to 3x. These are all things that a professional testing company will take into account when interpreting results and writing recommendations.
Credibility:
DIY kits may be convenient and give the homeowner some basic information about the indoor living environment, but if the results are needed for any sort of legal purposes, they more than likely will be disregarded. We have many clients needing testing services for tenant/landlord disputes, real-estate transactions, and clearance reports for mitigation projects. These situations require a credible and certified inspector to oversee sampling, result interpretation, and report writing.
Whichever route you decide to go, make sure that the test results accomplish the purpose you desire and are given to you in a useful format. DIY test kits can be helpful for acquiring basic information, but for professional results and interpretation, make sure to hire a reputable professional testing company.
