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You’re not imagining it. That musty smell, the stuffiness that won’t go away, the allergies that get worse at home these aren’t normal. And guessing about mold doesn’t help anyone.
Professional mold testing gives you lab-verified answers. You’ll know what types of mold are present, at what concentration levels, and whether they’re affecting your indoor air quality. No more wondering if that discoloration is dangerous or if your HVAC system is circulating spores you can’t see.
The testing process uses moisture meters and thermal imaging to find problems before they spread. Samples go to an independent EPA-certified lab, not someone trying to sell you remediation. You get a detailed report with photographs, moisture readings, and a clear explanation of what it all means for your health and your property.
Most importantly, you’ll have documentation. Real data you can use for insurance claims, landlord disputes, or peace of mind that your family isn’t breathing something harmful every day.
We’ve been serving University City since 1997. We understand the challenges of this area older housing stock built before modern moisture control, rental properties where maintenance gets delayed, and Pennsylvania’s humid summers that create ideal conditions for mold growth.
With 44% of homes in University City built before the 1940s, we’ve seen how these older structures trap moisture in ways newer buildings don’t. Basements without proper waterproofing, outdated HVAC systems, and settling foundations all contribute to mold problems that testing can identify early.
Our inspectors are certified and use state-of-the-art equipment. More importantly, we follow industry standards that recommend third-party testing meaning the people testing your property aren’t the same ones trying to sell you remediation services. That separation matters when you need unbiased results.
First, we do a comprehensive visual inspection. That means checking basements, bathrooms, kitchens, HVAC systems, and anywhere you’ve had previous water damage. We’re looking for visible mold, water stains, and conditions that support mold growth.
Next, we use moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras. These tools detect moisture behind walls, under floors, and in other hidden areas where mold often starts. You can’t see these problems with your eyes, but the equipment doesn’t lie.
Then we collect samples both air samples and surface samples if visible mold is present. These go to an independent laboratory for analysis. The lab identifies the specific types of mold and measures concentration levels in your air.
You get results within 3-7 days. The report includes lab findings, photographs from the inspection, all moisture readings, and a written explanation of what it means. We’ll walk you through the results and answer your questions about health implications and next steps.
If remediation is needed, you’ll have documentation showing exactly what needs to be addressed. If the results come back clean, you’ll have confirmation that your air quality is safe.
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Every mold inspection includes a thorough visual assessment of your entire property. We check the obvious spots and the places most people don’t think to look inside ductwork, behind appliances, in crawl spaces, and around foundation walls.
You get advanced detection technology as standard. Moisture meters measure exact humidity levels in building materials. Thermal imaging reveals temperature differences that indicate moisture problems or air leaks. These aren’t upsells they’re part of how we find mold before it becomes a bigger issue.
In University City specifically, we pay attention to the challenges of older construction. Buildings from the 1940s and earlier weren’t designed with central air conditioning or modern vapor barriers. That means moisture moves through these structures differently, and we adjust our inspection approach accordingly.
The laboratory analysis is independent and EPA-certified. You’re not getting results from someone with a financial interest in finding problems. The lab report breaks down mold types, spore counts, and whether levels exceed normal outdoor concentrations.
Your final report includes everything photos, lab results, moisture data, and our professional interpretation. If you’re dealing with a landlord, insurance company, or potential home buyer, you’ll have the documentation you need.
You’re not overreacting if you’re experiencing persistent allergy symptoms at home, noticing musty odors, seeing visible discoloration on walls or ceilings, or if you’ve had any water damage in the past year. These are legitimate reasons to test.
Here’s what matters: mold grows in places you can’t see. Inside wall cavities. In HVAC ducts. Under flooring. You could have a significant mold problem without any visible signs. The World Health Organization found that dampness and mold increase respiratory illness risk by 30-50%, and about 21% of asthma cases are potentially linked to mold exposure.
Testing is especially important in University City because of the housing stock. If your home was built before 1940 and nearly half were it lacks modern moisture control systems. That doesn’t mean you definitely have mold, but it means the risk is higher and testing gives you certainty instead of worry.
A mold inspection is the visual assessment walking through your property, looking for visible mold, checking moisture levels, and identifying conditions that support mold growth. It’s what our certified inspectors do when they arrive at your property.
Mold testing goes further. It involves collecting air samples and surface samples that get sent to a laboratory for analysis. The lab identifies specific mold species and measures spore concentration levels. This tells you not just that mold is present, but what types and whether the levels are dangerous.
You need both. The inspection finds the obvious problems and uses technology to detect hidden moisture. The testing confirms what’s actually growing and whether your indoor air quality is compromised. Together, they give you complete information about your mold situation not just guesswork based on what’s visible.
The on-site inspection typically takes 1-2 hours depending on your property size. We’re thorough checking every area where mold commonly grows, using moisture meters and thermal imaging, and collecting samples for lab analysis.
Once samples are collected, they go to an independent EPA-certified laboratory. Lab results come back within 3-7 days. You’ll receive a comprehensive report that includes the lab findings, photographs from the inspection, moisture readings, and our professional interpretation of what it all means.
If you’re in an urgent situation maybe you have a family member with severe respiratory issues or you’re in the middle of a real estate transaction let us know. We can sometimes expedite lab processing. But rushing the science doesn’t help anyone. Accurate results take time, and you want accuracy when you’re making decisions about your health and property.
Yes, laboratory analysis identifies specific mold species, including Stachybotrys chartarum the “black mold” that gets attention in the media. But here’s what you should know: all mold can cause health problems if you’re exposed to high concentrations, not just the black variety.
The lab report will list every type of mold found in your samples and the concentration levels of each. Some molds are more allergenic, some produce mycotoxins, and some are relatively harmless at low levels. What matters more than the specific species is the concentration and whether you have vulnerable family members infants, elderly, or anyone with respiratory conditions.
In University City, we commonly find Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Cladosporium in older homes, especially those with basement moisture issues. These aren’t necessarily “toxic mold,” but they still affect indoor air quality and health. The testing tells you exactly what you’re dealing with so you can make informed decisions, not just react to scary headlines.
Home test kits can tell you if mold spores are present, but they can’t tell you much else. Mold spores exist everywhere inside and outside every building. What matters is the type of mold, the concentration levels, and where it’s growing.
Professional testing uses calibrated equipment to collect samples properly. Air sampling requires specific flow rates and collection times to get accurate concentration measurements. Surface sampling needs to be done in the right locations using sterile technique. If the sample collection is wrong, the lab results are meaningless.
More importantly, professional mold inspection includes the visual assessment, moisture detection, and thermal imaging that identify where mold is growing and why. A home kit might confirm spores in your air, but it won’t tell you that moisture is coming through your foundation wall or that your HVAC system is circulating spores from a hidden source. You need both the testing and the expertise to interpret what’s happening in your specific property.
First, you’ll get a clear report explaining what was found, where the moisture source is, and what it means for your health. We’ll walk you through the results and answer your questions so you understand exactly what you’re dealing with.
Then you have options. If the mold is limited and the source is something simple like a leaking pipe or poor ventilation you might be able to address it yourself after fixing the moisture problem. If it’s more extensive, you’ll need professional mold remediation. Either way, you’ll have documentation showing what needs to happen.
The report also helps with insurance claims. Many homeowner policies cover mold if it resulted from a covered peril like a burst pipe. Having professional testing and documentation strengthens your claim. If you’re renting, the report gives you leverage to require your landlord to address the problem Pennsylvania law requires landlords to maintain habitable conditions, and mold can violate that requirement.
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