Mold can thrive and grow in an environment created due to the damp and humid conditions after a flood.

Detecting and identifying mold early can be very beneficial for you. This can save you from further property damage and many health risks.

Accurate mold spore testing for health concerns is essential in identifying and removing mold from your home.

But there is still a question that might come to your mind:

DIY testing or professional mold testing, which one is better?

DIY Mold Testing

DIY mold testing involves buying a home mold testing kit. This kit can help you sample mold in various areas of your home.

These kits often come with swabs for surface testing and petri dishes for air testing.

After you have gathered the samples, you usually send them to the lab for analysis.

Pros and Cons of DIY Mold Testing

Pros of DIY mold testing include:

They are more affordable than hiring a professional mold inspector.
They are convenient and allow you to perform the test at your own pace.
They can indicate a mold presence beforehand. This helps you decide whether you should hire a professional or not.

Cons of DIY mold testing include:

DIY mold kits may not provide as accurate results as professional inspections.
They may not detect all types of mold or assess the full extent of the problem.
They can yield false negatives. This can lead you to feel secure when you’re not.
They don’t provide the expertise of a professional inspector.
They don’t guide how to address mold issues.

Professional Mold Testing

Professional mold testing involves visual inspections, surface sampling, infrared imaging, and air sampling.

With their meticulous and systematic approach, it is easier to find hidden mold. This ensures a thorough cleanup.

After the inspection, professionals provide a thorough report highlighting their findings.

These reports also include professionals’ recommendations that can help remove mold.

Pros and Cons of Professional Mold Testing

The pros of mold testing include:

Professional mold inspectors can accurately define the mold’s presence, type, and extent.
Professionals follow safety protocols that minimize exposure to mold spores. This then ensures a safer inspection process.
You can have your property thoroughly inspected by professionals.
You can get professional recommendations for mold remediation tailored to your property’s needs.
Professionals generate detailed reports. You can use these for insurance claims or legal disputes.

The cons of mold testing include the following:

They are expensive.
Their scheduling process can be time-consuming. This delays the assessment process.
It might be challenging to find reputable mold inspectors in some areas.

Factors to Consider When Making the Right Choice

You can take the following factors into account when choosing between DIY and professional mold testing:

Cause of Mold

The cause of mold is an important factor. This helps determine whether you should hire a professional remediation company or DIY.

Before eliminating mold, locate the moisture source and resolve the issue.

Ensure you are confident of how long mold has been in your property. This helps in figuring out how far the moisture has moved.

Skills and Experience

Varying factors for mold removal include the duration of mold growth, the affected areas of the home, and how to prevent mold exposure.

Without the right skills and experience, there’s a high chance that you will expose yourself and other people around you to airborne mold.

Appropriate Equipment

You might require special equipment like fumigation systems to get rid of mold. At the same time, it depends on the situation at that moment.

You also need to wear special gear. This can protect you from inhaling mold spores. And you will also be prevented from coming in contact with your skin or eyes.

You risk subjecting yourself and those close to you to the effects of mold if you don’t have the right tools and gear.

Extent of Mold in the House

Determining the mold growth level is challenging without a thorough mold inspection.

If the mold is firmly rooted in the cracks and crevices of your walls, it may reappear following cleanup.

It can be dangerous to remove the mold if it has spread beyond what you can see. This becomes more risky when you do not have the right skills and equipment to handle the situation.

When to DIY Mold Removal?

If mold growth covers a smaller area, you should only consider DIY mold removal. This means it shouldn’t exceed the limit of 10 square feet.

Removing mold on your own can be harmful if you don’t have the necessary knowledge and tools to handle the situation.

You endanger yourself and others close to you by exposing them to mold’s harmful health effects.

These health effects include respiratory issues, fungal infections, and allergic reactions. Besides this, you may also experience skin irritation, fatigue, and cognitive effects.

You may remove DIY mold only when the mold is apparent to your naked eye.

Contamination on a scale beyond 10 square feet may require professional treatment.

When to Hire a Professional Mold Removal Company?

Hiring a professional remediation company is always advised. This is especially important when you are unsure of mold growth and don’t want to expose yourself to the risky ordeal.

Mold professionals with the necessary skills and experience must deal with mold spread across a sizable area. These experts are equipped with everything they need to handle the circumstances.

You can always expect a complete and thorough service when you hire licensed mold professionals.

Allowing the experts to do their job will be a sensible move. This will be a step to save you and other people from the risks of mold.

Recommendation for Your Home

The economic part of DIY mold testing makes it more intriguing. But it is only better if mold covers a small area.

In other situations, hiring a professional mold testing company is better.

Removing mold yourself may seem simple, but it is risky and challenging if it is deeply rooted behind the walls.

Mold may grow undetected for a long time underneath crawl spaces or inside air ducts.

Professional mold removal is preferable to DIY mold removal because it addresses various issues. These issues may include complete removal, preventing exposure, and proper disposal of mold.

Experts also do it with years of experience and equipment to deal with mold problems.

Mold can pose a danger to your health and other people around you if you do not take the necessary precautions to prevent mold exposure.

Hiring a professional mold testing company is best. This is because they ensure proper removal and disposal while reducing the chances of mold exposure.

Ready to Breathe Easier? Discover How to Schedule a Mold Inspection in Dallas with TexInspec. Contact us today to ensure a mold-free and healthy home!