How to Test for Mold for Free

Mold is common in the environment but may pose a health threat in homes and enclosed areas.

Mold is a type of fungus present throughout the natural world. It produces tiny seeds, or spores, that travel through the air. Everyone is exposed to mold in daily life, and most people are unaffected by it. However, in an enclosed environment and in a significant quantity, mold can cause health problems -- particularly among infants and small children, the elderly and people who have respiratory problems or compromised immune systems. Many people hire experts to test for mold in their homes. Testing is expensive and usually unnecessary, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. You can identify mold by investigating the environment thoroughly.

Things You'll Need

• Flashlight
• Large screwdriver

Instructions

1. Look for signs of mold such as development or worsening of allergies for no other apparent reason. People who have asthma or compromised respiratory function may find their symptoms more pronounced when mold is present. Use your nose. Mold is usually accompanied by a musty odor. Look for discoloration. Visible mold has a fuzzy or velvety appearance and is usually concentrated in patches that are black, white, gray, green, yellow, brown or a combination of colors.

2. Focus your attention on areas that are moist or humid. Mold thrives on moisture. Standing water and leaks are usually accompanied by mold if they are not eliminated quickly. Shine your flashlight in the crevices beneath sinks and along baseboards and other ledges in moist areas. Don't forget to look around and under the refrigerator, where condensation forms.

3. Use a large screwdriver, crowbar or other tool to remove carpeting, wall coverings and other items in areas where there are signs of mold. Colonies of mold do not always reside in open spaces. Removal of items is usually necessary when earthy odors or water leaks are present.

4. Skip formal testing. It can identify the presence of mold, but only in the specific area and time in which the test is performed. A test repeated in the same location a few hours later may identify different types of mold and omit types present in other rooms or spaces. Because the remedy for any mold is removal, testing will not avert the need to physically locate the mold and eliminate it. And because experts still do not know how particular types of mold affect human health, testing for individual species is not informative. Some people contend that testing can help avert the need for removal of carpeting or other coverings. However, removal will still be necessary if testing confirms the presence of mold.

Tips & Warnings

• The Minnesota Department of Health offers fact sheets on mold in homes, including how to remove it.

• If you find a concentration of mold, remove as much of it as possible as soon as possible, wearing a mask to prevent inhalation, and eliminate the source of any leak or excess moisture. Do not maintain prolonged contact with the mold, especially if you are in poor health.

References

• Florida Solar Energy Center: Mold Growth

Resources

• Minnesota Department of Health: Mold in Homes
• Minnesota Department of Health: Testing for Mold