Reagan Environmental

Houston, TX

Office Address

Breagan@reaganenviro.com

Email Address

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(832 ) 632-4889
  • Services

Mold Testing Services

Professional Mold Inspection & Testing in Houston, Texas

What is mold testing and how does it work?

Mold testing in Houston, Texas, offered by Reagan Environmental, is the process of assessing the presence and type of mold in a given environment. This is typically done through several methods, such as air sampling, bulk sampling, or tape lift sampling, to collect samples. These samples are then analyzed in a laboratory.

In the laboratory, the collected samples are analyzed for the presence of mold and identified at either the species or genus level. This information is important for assessing potential health risks and for determining appropriate remediation measures if necessary. Mold testing helps in identifying and managing mold issues in indoor environments.

Sample Types

Air Sampling

Indoor air quality assessments commonly employs air sampling, which can be accomplished through either viable or non-viable methods:

  • Viable Method: In the viable method, spores are gathered using agar impaction plates. These spores must be living during the sampling to enable growth and subsequent analysis.
  • Non-Viable Method: On the other hand, the non-viable method involves collecting spores using air-o-cell cassettes or allergenco-D cassettes. This method identifies both living (viable) and deceased (non-viable) mold spores during the analysis.
  • Time Duration: Sampling time is set to avoid overloading and ensure even dispersion of spores. In clean outdoor areas, it’s done for a minimum of ten minutes. For moderately active indoor spaces, it’s reduced to five minutes. In very dusty environments, like during drywall work, the minimum sampling time is one minute.

Tape Lift Sampling

Highly effective and non-invasive technique for sample collection.

This method involves the use of a transparent adhesive tape or slide to minutely inspect stains, settled dust, and spores. The transparent adhesive is gently pressed onto the surface, delicately removed, affixed to a clear slide or surface inside a sample bag, and subsequently submitted to the laboratory for analysis.

Bulk Sampling

Bulk sampling takes pieces of materials, like parts of buildings or segments of carpet, to check for mold. A small sample, often a 2" x 2" square piece, is collected for easy transport and handling in the lab. The lab can then identify the mold's species through culture or its genus through direct microscopy.

Swab Sampling

Swab sampling uses a sterile cotton or synthetic fiber-tipped swab to test an area of suspected mold growth. Samples are cultured for species identification or analyzed using direct microscopy for genus identification. Identified spores are typically reported as ‘present/absent.’

Carpet Cassette Sampling

Carpet cassette sampling uses a special device with an air pump to collect mold, pollen, and other particles from carpets. These samples are then checked for the type of species or group of organisms they belong to, just like the previous methods.

Understanding Your Lab Report

When reading a mold assessment report, it's helpful to understand a few key terms:

Mold Count:  This tells you how many mold spores were found, usually per a certain area or volume.

Mold Types: Lists the specific molds found; for more details on their potential health risks, check online resources.

Raw Count: The actual number of spores in the sample.

Count/M3: An estimate of spores per cubic meter of air, based on the Raw Count.

% of the Total: Shows how much a specific mold type contributes to the overall mold samples.

Common Types of Mold Identified

Here are the most common types of mold found during the average inspection:

Penicillium/Aspergillus: This is the most prevalent type of mold. While most of these species can trigger allergies, only a few are toxic. They thrive in humid areas and are often found in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.

Basidiospores: Typically found outdoors, these molds can develop indoors in water-damaged wood, indicating wood rot or decay. They often appear after flooding or heavy rain.

Cladosporium: Another common mold found in many homes, Cladosporium thrives in poorly ventilated spaces with high moisture levels.

Curvularia: This mold is a common cause of allergic reactions.

Chaetomium: Often found growing on walls, Chaetomium suggests high humidity levels in the air.

Stachybotrys: This is a very common toxic mold, and even low levels should be a cause for concern. It can grow on various paper materials and furniture.

Memnoniella: Another highly toxic mold type that should be carefully removed if even small concentrations are detected.

  • 5-Star Reviews

See Why Reagan Is the Go-To Mold Inspection Service in Houston

Jessica Ohnstad
Jessica Ohnstad
2022-10-28
These guys came out quickly for a huge job and were super professional. I hope I never need this again but if I do I’m calling Reagan!
Lone Star Pro Services
Lone Star Pro Services
2021-12-16
We have been working with Reagan Enviromental for quite some time right now. Very professional and punctual. We have heard only good and happy words from our clients that we have referred. Very detailed and well done reports. Easy to read and easy to follow protocols. Highly recommended.
Kara McGuire
Kara McGuire
2021-10-20
Highly recommended this company! Cameron Reagan from Reagan Environmental came out and provided excellent service with fast results. Their prices were unbeatable and they were very informative and responsive to all my questions.
Sherri Stetzer
Sherri Stetzer
2021-10-20
These guys are awesome! I always worry about getting ripped off because I’m a first time homeowner but start to finish I felt completely at ease. I’m very impressed by their work and professionalism.
Trevor Peterson
Trevor Peterson
2021-09-28
These guys are the best. Very kind and professional!
Wes Manshack
Wes Manshack
2021-09-28
Blaine was extremely professional and very easy to deal with. He was very detailed and prompt. 💯 recommended them for all of your mold inspection needs!
Google rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 9 reviews

FAQ's

FAQ's

A Houston mold test for your home can be important in certain situations but not always necessary for every home. A mold inspection is done to find visible mold, unexplained health issues, musty odors, real estate transactions, water damage, preventive measures.

As you’re searching for “mold testing near me” you should know that; in mold testing, it’s all about testing the area where mold is present, which requires taking samples, laboratory examination, and analyzing how much and how dangerous the mold exposure is.

Interpreting mold testing in Houston results involves these steps: Get the lab report and check for mold types and amounts. Learn about the mold species found and any health risks. Compare indoor and outdoor samples. Assess mold concentrations in the air. Consider health and safety guidelines if available.

Examine where samples were taken and look for water issues. Consult a Reagan Environmental if unsure. Regardless of results, fix leaks, improve ventilation, and remove damaged materials.

Knowing if you’re sick from mold exposure can be challenging, as symptoms vary among individuals. Common signs include respiratory issues like coughing, wheezing, or a stuffy nose. You may also experience throat irritation, skin rashes, or eye discomfort. Mold exposure can worsen asthma or allergies, leading to more frequent symptoms.

Addressing the mold issue in your home is also crucial to prevent further health problems.

If you suspect mold in your rental property, it’s important to take the following steps. First, inform your landlord or property manager about your concerns in writing, describing the issue and its location. Contact us to determine the extent of the problem.

If mold is confirmed, work with your landlord to address the issue, whether through cleaning, repairs, or professional remediation.

Mold inspection is a visual check to find signs of mold and potential trouble areas. Mold testing in Houston involves collecting samples to confirm mold presence and assess types and quantities. Both are often used together to address mold issues effectively.

Reagan Environmental is your best solution for unbiased at home mold test. We start by:

1. Look for Signs:

Check for visible mold, like discoloration or musty smells.

2. Professional Inspection:

Consider hiring professionals for a thorough inspection using air and surface sampling.

3. Air Sampling:

Professionals collect air samples to detect mold spores.

4. Surface Sampling:

Swab or tape-lift samples from surfaces to identify specific mold types.

5. Lab Analysis:

Send samples to a lab for analysis to determine mold types and levels.

6. Interpret Results:

Professionals interpret lab results to assess the significance of the findings.

Schedule Your Inspection

When you book an inspection with Reagan Environmental, you’re not just putting your trust in our service; you’re reclaiming peace of mind.

Our highly trained and experienced team of mold experts will conduct a detailed inspection of your property, identifying any potential environmental risks that may be lurking beneath the surface.

Whether it’s mold, lead, asbestos, or any other environmental concerns, Reagan’s got you covered.

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