Readers ask: How Do I Test For Mold In My Apartment?

How do you test if mold is making you sick?

How are mold allergies and exposure diagnosed?

• Blood test. Your doctor takes a blood sample and then sends it to a laboratory to measure the number of certain antibodies, which can indicate your immune system’s sensitivity to different mold species.
• Skin prick test.

How can I test my home for mold?

Most mold is unmistakable, but sometimes small or largely hidden growths just make a surface look dirty. A quick test for mold can be done when you dip a swab in diluted bleach (1 part bleach, 16 parts water) and dab it on the wall. If the spot quickly lightens (or keeps coming back after cleaning), assume it’s mold.

Is there a kit to test for mold?

Mold test kits are widely available from home improvement stores and from online retailers, but not all test kits are the same. Some are designed to only determine whether mold is present on surfaces.

How do I treat mold in my apartment?

If you are dealing with a small bit of mold, you can use white vinegar to get rid of it. White vinegar can kill about 80 percent of mold species. Spray it full-strength on the mold and let it sit for a least an hour so it can penetrate the surface and reach the mold “roots.” Skip the bleach.

What are symptoms of mold toxicity?

Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Some people, such as those with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more intense reactions.

When should you see a doctor for mold exposure?

If your cold or flu-like symptoms persist, it may be time for a trip to the doctor. Even if you aren’t aware that mold could be causing your issues, a doctor may be able to make the correlations between your symptoms and CIRS.

Will mold die if it dries out?

Mold will not completely die, but it will dry out. Humidity levels between 30%-60% are preferable in the prevention of mold growth. Warm air absorbs more moisture than cold air.

Are home mold test kits accurate?

Viable mold testing (also known as “settle plate” or “gravity sample” testing ) is not a reliable mold testing method. Scientific and Government studies support the use of the type of viable mold testing kits offered by Home Mold Laboratory.

How do you know if mold is behind drywall?

Mold can be black, green, gray, white, or brown. Mold can even appear orange, pink or purple when it grows behind vinyl wallpaper. Another sign of visible mold is discoloration of walls, even if it has been painted over. If the water damage inside the walls persists, mold will show signs on the surface.

Can you do a mold test on yourself?

Mold Armor FG500 Do It Yourself Mold Test Kit You can use this single kit in one of three ways—to test the air for mold spores, to test air quality in your HVAC duct, or to test for surface mold. If after 48-96 hours mold begins to grow in your dish, you may choose to send it to a lab for analysis.

Will a dehumidifier kill mold?

So, to answer your question, dehumidifiers do NOT kill mold, but they do prevent it by reducing humidity. If you have a mold problem in your home, don’t wait. Remove the mold and stop the moisture source (leak, condensation, high humidity, etc.) to prevent more damage and costly repairs.

Can I test for black mold myself?

If you go the DIY route while testing for black mold, you will need to purchase a mold testing kit from a hardware or home repair store, take samples of the air and affected areas yourself, and then send these in to a testing facility, which will report back as to which type of mold is present.

Is mold in an apartment dangerous?

Why is mold dangerous? Left untreated, mold can really make you sick. Even if you don’t see mold in your apartment, spores can infiltrate your indoor air, causing breathing problems that mimic allergic reactions or bad colds — think itchy, burning eyes, a stuffy nose, and wheezing.

Does mold make an apartment uninhabitable?

When the environment in a unit becomes hazardous to one’s health, the rental is considered to be uninhabitable. Other health risks such as mold and asbestos can make a unit uninhabitable, by causing respiratory problems and serious illnesses.

Is it safe to live in apartment with mold?

One of the worst things that could be found in your apartment is mold. Not only does it produce a foul odor, but it can be dangerous to your health. Mold can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing and wheezing, eye irritation and sometimes skin irritation, according to the CDC.