ENVIRONMENTAL
MOLD | AIR QUALITY | WATER QUALITY & QUANTITY
MOLD INSPECTIONS
Mold inspection and testing is the process of detecting mold in your home. Acuutech is one of the best for mold inspection in Southwest Ohio. In some cases, mold tests also determine what kind it is, such as black mold. In most cases, a mold test is not required if you can see mold. However, some states have regulations about mold testing and inspections to prevent fraud and keep consumers safe.
A professional mold inspection includes not only sampling but also a comprehensive visual inspection to detect issues and problems related to mold that are not apparent to most people without training in building sciences and mold inspections. Mold is everywhere. Yes, all homes have small amounts of mold.
What Are The Types Of Mold Tests
There are several tests used to detect a mold problem. Regardless of the type of test, samples are analyzed to identify the concentration of mold in the air and the amount of mold growing in your home. Unfortunately, mold contamination is rarely consistent. As a result, each sample or test could return a different level of concentration.
- Air Quality Tests:
An air quality test is one method of detecting mold in your home. While an air quality test will identify the concentration of mold spores in the air, it does not guarantee you actually have mold. Mold spores exist naturally in the air, so it is common for them to appear on an air quality test. However, an air quality test can be helpful in identifying a mold problem if you already have other signs of mold. - Surface Tests:
Mold surface tests use swabs or tape to collect samples from hard surfaces like walls and cabinets. This test will determine the extent of your mold problem. However, they are usually done on surfaces that already show visible signs of mold growth. Since you can already see the problem, this kind of test is only necessary when you need scientific proof of mold. - Bulk Testing:
Bulk tests determine the concentration of mold inside a material, like a wall. Since they involve cutting out a small piece of material, bulk tests are best at detecting mold inside walls or in areas with low visibility. However, knowing the mold concentration doesn’t change the removal process. - Culture Tests:
Culture tests are done alongside other mold tests to determine the exact kind of mold you have. Although a culture test is required in some cases, knowing the type of mold doesn’t change how it is removed.
AIR QUALITY TESTING
How do you know that the air you breathe indoors is safe? Any number of harmful chemicals and pollutants could be invisibly contaminating your home environment. These can come from many sources, from paints and finishings to synthetic furnishings and home appliances. Poor indoor air quality at home can provoke allergies such as asthma – this is a particular concern where young children are present. Indoor air should not contain contaminants that exceed concentrations known to impair health or cause discomfort to occupants. Such contaminants may include various gases, vapors, micro-organisms, dusts, smoke, and other particulate matter. Accutech is the best Indoor Air Quality Testing in Southwest Ohio.
Sampling is necessary where:
- Healthcare concerns are a problem
- Litigation is involved
- The source(s) of the mold contamination is unclear
Sampling allows us to:
- Locate the source of mold contamination
- Identify some of the mold species present
- Differentiate between mold and soot or dirt
Water Quality & Quantity Testing
A water quantity test, also called a well flow rate, is done to see if the private well is producing a minimum of five gallons per minute (GPM) and should maintain that quantity for a period of at least 45 minutes.
Examples of Water Quality Indicators:
Total Coliform
Coliform bacteria are microbes found in the digestive systems of warm-blooded animals, in soil, on plants, and in surface water. These microbes typically do not make you sick; however, because microbes that do cause disease are hard to test for in the water, “total coliforms” are tested instead. If the total coliform count is high, then it is very possible that harmful germs like viruses, bacteria, and parasites might also be found in the water.
Fecal Coliforms / Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Fecal coliform bacteria are a specific kind of total coliform. The feces (or stool) and digestive systems of humans and warm-blooded animals contain millions of fecal coliforms. E. coli is part of the fecal coliform group and may be tested for by itself. Fecal coliforms and E. coli are usually harmless. However, a positive test may mean that feces and harmful germs have found their way into your water system. These harmful germs can cause diarrhea, dysentery, and hepatitis. It is important not to confuse the test for the common and usually harmless WQI E. coli with a test for the more dangerous germ E. coli O157:H7.
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