Mold Inspection in Massachusetts

When choosing a mold inspection company, it’s crucial to hire an unbiased third party like Mold Spotters.

You can book a mold inspection right now at (781) 664-9511 or fill out the form below.

Beware of the FREE or $150.00 mold inspection scam (click here).

Mold has been determined to play a part when it comes to different kinds of health problems. Mold can also cause expensive damage to your property and belongings.

Mold Spotters will help determine if your home or business has an indoor mold problem.

We are an independent, unbiased mold inspection and testing company.

This means that we are not involved in mold remediation, so we have nothing to gain by telling you that you have a mold problem. You can feel confident that our recommendations will be accurate and honest.

Some mold removal companies also offer to test for mold. These companies are bidding for your mold removal job and could be tempted to tell you that you have a mold problem, even if you don’t.

Mold testing costs are often covered by your insurance company.

Many of our customers have been reimbursed by their insurance company for our services. Contact your insurance agent or provider to find out if you’re covered and to what extent.

Our mold inspection and testing services are both inexpensive and reliable. Our fee is a small price to pay, especially if we determine that you don’t need to hire a mold remediation company in the first place.

Hiring an unbiased third party like Mold Spotters to perform your mold inspection could save you thousands of dollars in unnecessary mold remediation expenses.

It’s a good idea to book a mold inspection if your property has experienced any type of water damage.

Typical examples of water damage are:

• Basement flooding
• Rain water leaks through the building’s roof or walls
• Plumbing issues, such as leaky supply or drain pipes
• Faulty bath tub/shower grout leading to leaks into the wall cavity

You may also notice things like:

• Apparent visible mold growth
• Odd smells or musty odors
• Health complications

Home inspectors will often recommend a mold inspection as part of the inspection process in a real estate transaction.

People who are experiencing health issues will often order a mold inspection. Others do so just for peace of mind.

Indoor exposure to mold and mold spores has raised many health concerns over the past several years.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation.

Some people, such as those with serious allergies to molds, may have more severe reactions.” … “In 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people …” You can read more on this subject here.

There has been a lot of talk in the news about “Toxic Black Mold”. We will test your home or business for several different types of mold, including the ones that are known to be the most dangerous and destructive. We will make the necessary recommendations based on the visual inspection and laboratory findings.

Mold growth can cause structural damage to buildings and building materials.

Mold requires a few things to grow, including water and a source of organic material to feed on. Many types of building materials (insulation, wood, paper backing on wall board) are the perfect food source for mold. As the mold feeds on these materials, they can be weakened and damaged, possibly leading to structural failure.

What are the typical series of steps from start to finish when it comes to dealing with a mold problem?

Initial inspection:

A certified mold inspector from Mold Spotters will come out to your property. The inspection will typically consist of three different parts.

• Collection of a back story: The inspector will speak with people that are familiar with the property’s history and collect information relevant to the inspection.
• Visual inspection: The inspector will visually inspect readily accessible areas and look for conditions conducive to mold growth, such as evidence of past flooding, plumbing leaks, water condensation and more. The inspector will also collect humidity readings and moisture readings, looking for active water buildup behind building materials. The inspector will use either a highly sensitive moisture meter, an infrared thermal camera, or both.
• Collection of samples: The inspector will collect either air samples, surface samples or both. The samples will help determine the presence of mold and the extent of the infestation.

  

The samples will then be sent off for laboratory analysis. The laboratory will provide the inspector with a lab report, complete with the types (species) of mold spores found, along with the quantities of each type. Based on a collaborative effort between the laboratory and the inspector, you will receive a recommendation.

• Non Elevated Conditions

If your inspection and test results show non elevated conditions, you will receive a clearance letter. No mold removal or remediation actions will be recommended.

• Elevated Conditions

If your inspection and test results show elevated conditions, you will receive a recommendation for either self cleanup, or further evaluation by a mold remediation contractor.

Self cleanup:

Depending on the specific situation and the size of the affected area, you may be able to handle the cleanup yourself. This option will only be suggested based on CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommended guidelines.

Choosing a mold remediation contractor:

It’s important to choose a licensed contractor with specific experience in mold remediation. Mold Spotters is an unbiased mold inspection business that is not affiliated with mold remediation contractors. To remain unbiased, we don’t directly recommend or endorse any specific mold remediation contractors. However, many of our clients turn to us for a recommendation. We have compiled a list of local remediation companies and other service providers to help you get started with the process.

Completion of mold remediation work:

The mold remediation contractor should follow all of the industry standard protocol related to mold remediation. The protocol carried out by the contractor will include most or all of the following items:

• Containment of the work area as to not contaminate the rest of the property
• The use of personal protection equipment
• The creation of negative pressure inside the work area
• The use of a HEPA vacuum
• The application of a biocide and a wipe down
• The removal of contaminated materials
• The use of an air scrubber in the contained area

The contractor you choose may recommend additional steps not listed here. Most contractors will also recommend a cleaning of the HVAC system, including the coils and ducts.

Failing to carry out the full protocol of protective measures during remediation could lead to the spread of mold spores and other contaminants throughout the property. This could compromise the air quality even further and possibly lead to the return of mold growth. It’s imperative that all protective measures are taken.

Clearance Test:

After mold remediation and before reconstruction begins, you should contact Mold Spotters for an unbiased clearance test. This will consist of another limited mold inspection in the work area to determine if the remediation work was sufficient. Samples will again be taken and analyzed by the laboratory.

The remediation company that performed the work should not be the same company performing the clearance test. The clearance test should be performed by an unbiased third party with no involvement in warranting the remediation work.

Remodeling and reconstruction:

Based on the results of the clearance test, the inspector will either issue a clearance letter giving the go ahead to begin reconstruction, or a recommendation for further mold remediation work. Remodeling and reconstruction should never begin without a clearance test first being taken.

Booking a mold inspection appointment:

You can book your mold inspection with Mold Spotters right here online. If you prefer to speak to one of our friendly customer service representatives first, feel free to give us a call at (781) 664-9511. We are looking forward to serving you!

Please fill out the following form. One of our friendly customer service representatives will contact you shortly to confirm your inspection date and time. If submitted during regular business hours, you will usually be contacted within just a few minutes. If after regular business hours, you will be contacted promptly the next business day.