Mold growth and associated moisture problems are one of the most common—and serious—facility problems we tackle. Unresolved mold and moisture issues can pose serious risks to occupant health and inflict costly damage to facilities.
We handle mold issues that range from visible mold growth to moldy smells to hidden mold infestations to controlling microscopic spores in healthcare settings.
Mold issues can pose serious risks to occupant health and inflict costly damages on the facility, so it is essential to stay on top of potential mold growth. However, when it comes to a mold investigation, it may feel like there are a million factors to consider. We want to clarify some of the most common concerns that people considering a mold investigation may have.
There are many different things that may encourage you to conduct a mold investigation.
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Moisture problems occur when excess moisture accumulates or becomes trapped in a part of a building that should be dry. They can happen in just about any building, new or old, and usually occur because of poor design, faulty construction practices, or improper maintenance.
A typical AMI mold investigation starts with a site visit to conduct a visual inspection of your property. During this inspection we will not only pinpoint possible locations of mold growth, and also aim to identify the moisture issue(s) that caused mold growth in the first place.
Our experts use a mix of visual cues and infrared imaging to identify visible mold growth and mold hidden underneath flooring, inside walls and beyond. AMI will recommend which areas, if any, need to be tested for mold and provide a recommended sampling plan for your project’s specific needs and budget.
At the conclusion of our mold investigation, we will deliver a full report detailing the findings of our investigation, and recommendations for testing and remediation (if necessary).
You can expect a report of your mold investigation 3 to 5 days after the site investigation. This time allows for the lab to process samples and for our Industrial Hygienists to write up a report.
A mold investigation can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,500 depending on the scope of work. Some factors that may influence the cost is the size of the building and the types of areas that need to be investigated. Sampling costs are determined separately depending on need.
Please contact us at 1-800-828-8487 or info@amienvironmental.com for a free estimate.
Yes, at AMI Environmental we do offer mold testing, including surface sampling and airborne fungal measurement. We can also conduct thermal imaging using infrared photography to measure moisture content and identify materials impacted by water events.
Is mold sampling destructive (will my building be damaged)?
No, in most situations there will be no damage to the building during a mold investigation.
If mold is found in your building, we recommend remediation of all mold-affected materials. If the cause is determined to be a water event, we also recommend removal of any affected absorbent materials. The entire affected area must also be cleaned, and active mold growth must be fully removed to ensure that no further growth occurs.
Once mold growth has been remediated, we also recommend addressing the cause of the mold growth (oftentimes a moisture event). In some situations, such as when mold growth is present in the HVAC system, thorough cleaning (rather than remediation) efforts can be the best solution.
No, you are not required to share your mold findings with anyone.
There are no federal regulations that are in place regarding mold testing. However, some states have training and certification requirements for consulting and remediation services. It is important to ensure that the professional you are using for your mold investigations and remediation have the appropriate training and certifications—especially if high-risk patients or individuals are affected.
We do provide referrals to third-party remediation companies, but we do not conduct mold removal ourselves. The services that AMI Environmental provides in terms of mold abatement is the initial detection of the growth, protocols for removal of the mold, and on-site representative during the abatement process. We also offer follow-up air quality assessments to ensure that the mold issue has been resolved.
We do offer some residential testing. If you have any inquiries about a specific project, please reach out to us at info@amienvironmental.com.