As a property owner, you’re already aware that the presence of mold is one of the greatest threats to the integrity of your space, and conducting regular mold testing is essential to maintaining your property, whether you own a residential home or a commercial office space.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that not all mold testing companies are created equal. In fact, there is an increased number of mold remediation companies that are now offering mold testing as an additional service at a reduced cost, which becomes a massive conflict of interest for the company in question.
At Indoor Doctor, we strongly suggest only choosing companies that solely offer mold remediation or mold testing instead of choosing a company that offers both. In this article, we’ll explain exactly how these procedures work, as well as everything you need to know before selecting a mold testing provider.
Mold Remediation Vs. Mold Testing: The Ultimate Conflict Of Interest
Unfortunately, many homeowners make the mistake of thinking that a company that performs remediation knows how to inspect and test for mold. This may be true in some cases, but the reality is that this creates a significant conflict of interest for the company. In fact, this issue has become so prevalent in the mold testing industry some states have even taken legislative action to outlaw these practices altogether.
That being said, these are the top reasons why you should never work with a company that offers both mold remediation and mold testing:
Biased Test Results
Have you ever been to an auto shop where it seemed like the mechanic was going above and beyond to find issues with your car just so they could earn more money? In many cases, mold testing companies behave the same way.
Companies that offer both mold remediation and mold testing have a strong financial incentive to find evidence of mold in your home. More to the point, they’ll be able to use these results to encourage you to invest in certain mold remediation services, putting more cash in their pocket. The only way to ensure that your mold test results are truly unbiased is to work with an accredited company that has no motivation other than to provide you with the most accurate results possible.
Lack of Transparency
Another key point to remember is that companies that specialize in mold testing will often provide clients with in-depth reports that detail the extent of their property’s mold issues. This documentation can be crucial when it comes to dealing with insurance companies, potential buyers, and other parties. On the other hand, a company offering both services will be less inclined to offer this level of transparency, leaving you in the dark about your home’s mold results.
Expert Recommendations
As mentioned, mold remediation companies are more likely to push you towards a costly resolution to your mold concerns, even if it’s more extensive than what your property really needs. Independent mold testing companies are there to guide you toward the best resolution possible for your home, giving you expert recommendations you can reference when you begin your search for a mold remediation company. Some of the recommendations your mold testing company might offer include things like:
- Mold Removal
- Demolition
- Sanitization
- Containment
Regulatory Issues
There’s no denying that conflicts of interest in the mold testing field have become a serious threat to consumers, so much so that regulatory agencies and local legislators have taken matters into their hands to create laws that prohibit companies from offering both mold testing and mold remediation to customers within a certain window of time.
According to recent reports, states like New Hampshire, New York, California, Florida, and Texas have all taken action against predatory mold testing practices, and more states are likely to follow suit in the coming years.
Mold Testing Laws in New Hampshire: Everything You Need To Know
New Hampshire is just one of the states that have chosen to create comprehensive mold testing laws that help ensure our community is protected from unsafe testing practices. These laws help protect consumers against increased costs, biased tested results, and the risks that come from working with an unqualified mold testing company. Here’s what you need to know:
Accreditation Is Required
As of 2016, the New Hampshire government has officially required that companies offering mold inspections, testing, and other types of assessments must be accredited by a national or other non-profit accreditation board. For local residents, these accreditations include:
● American Council for Accreditated Certification (ACAC)
● Council of Engineering and Special Sciences Board (CESB)
● American National Standards Institue under ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024
These organizations operate independently and do not gain profits from the accreditation practices, making them the only reliable source of expertise when it comes to mold testing certifications. Additionally, any organization offering accreditation or certificates must be separate from any other training programs, memberships, or other industry trade organizations to guarantee that no bias is included in their certification process.
Remediation and Testing Can Not Overlap
As mentioned previously, mold remediation and mold testing are two very different practices that require a unique set of protocols to be performed effectively. Most importantly, certain restrictions are now in place to prevent mold remediation companies from gaining a financial incentive from your test results, ensuring that you get the accurate readings you need.
For example, under the latest laws, a company must not perform any remediation on a property that they have conducted mold testing for during a period of at least one year. Conversely, companies can also not provide any mold testing for properties that have performed any type of remediation during the past year. This helps protect consumers and property owners from predatory companies who hope to capitalize off of offering subpar testing and remediation services in one package.
How To Choose A Reputable Mold Testing Company
With these laws and regulations in mind, there are a few things you’ll want to look for when choosing a mold testing company for your property.
Certifications
Before you even consider working with a mold testing company, check and make sure that they are accredited and certified by one of the leading accreditation organizations. Indoor Doctor is approved by the ACAC, which provides the gold standard of certification for mold testing organizations.
As one of the few companies in the area to achieve this status, we’re proud to say that our rigorous testing procedures are compliant with recommendations from the state legislature, and we go above and beyond to retain our status as a reliable mold testing company.
Testing Procedures
Once you know that an organization is accredited, be sure to examine its testing procedures to ensure that no stone is left unturned. Mold investigations can be a very complex process. However, there are some critical steps that must be taken to ensure everything is performed correctly.
Background Information
To better understand your property, your inspector should conduct a thorough background check into your space to determine whether the property has a history of mold growth, water damage, and any other contributing factors.
Clear Observations
Your final report should include detailed observations from the person conducting your mold test and imagery that supports their findings. A qualified mold inspection will include these types of imagery to create a clear picture of your results:
● Infrared Imagery
● Digital Moisture Measurements
● Detailed Photographs
Laboratory Analysis
After your test has been performed, your mold testing team will send any samples they’ve collected away for laboratory analysis. These findings should include the specific type of mold that’s been detected, as well as any other details concerning its growth.
Remediation Recommendations
Although mold testing and mold remediation should not be performed by the same organization, a mold testing professional will be able to provide you with recommendations based on their findings, which can make it easier to find a mold remediation specialist who meets your needs.
Quality Assurance
Our job doesn’t end once your test has been completed. Instead, a good mold testing company will offer quality assurance and post-remediation testing to ensure that the presence of mold has been completely eliminated from your property and will continue to support your needs with regular mold testing practices.
Where To Find A Mold Testing Company
If you’re concerned about the presence of mold on your property, don’t panic. Indoor Doctor is an industry-leading, fully certified provider of mold testing services in the New Hampshire area, and our team is always ready to help. We offer comprehensive support to help you identify the type of mold in your home, create a streamlined action plan, and ensure that the mold has been entirely eliminated after remediation. Connect with a member of our staff today to get started.
References:
ACAC: https://www.acac.org/
H&H: Environmental: https://hhenvironmental.com/articles/difference-between-mold-assessment-and-mold-remediation#:~:text=Moisture%20testing%20is%20also%20performed,of%20mold%20and%20contaminated%20material.
Mold Inspection Sciences Texas: https://www.moldinspectiontexas.com/blog/posts/don-t-use-the-same-company-for-both-mold-inspection-mold-remediation
Angi: https://www.angi.com/articles/choose-separate-companies-mold-testing-remediation.htm
