Mold testing can be expensive. Before involving a professional, it is important to be sure you have a mold problem that requires professional help. Some preliminary tests that a home owner can cheaply perform include:

1. Sense Of Smell
If there is persistent "musty" or "earthy" smell it is possible that there is mold in the house. In this case you may want to call a professional to find out where the mold is located, the extent of mold contamination and the underlying cause.

2. Air Sampling
If people in the house are getting sick and you suspect mold as the cause, but you cannot see it or smell it, you can take air samples to test whether the air contains mold spores or fragments. The simplest way for a homeowner to take air samples is to order for a mold test kit which you can expose to the air in your home. The kit is then sent back to the laboratory for analyses. The problem with this type of mold test kits is that if the mold spores in your house are dead, the kit would not detect them, yet these dead spores could still cause allergic reactions to sensitive individuals.

To test for mold in your home regarless of whether the spores are dead or not, you would need an air sampling pump. The pump is expensive to buy, but you can rent one for a day for $50.00. The cost of renting the air sampler and the analysis of the air samples by a qualified laboratory would still be hundreds of times cheaper than calling a professional to test for mold that you don't even know if it existed. A qualified laboratory should be able to advise you on how and where to take samples.

3. Bulk and Surface Sampling
If you are concerned about visible mold, you can send a tape sample to a laboratory. You can also send pieces of material that show mold growth. The laboratory would identify the types of mold present and also provide information (where available) as to whether those types of mold are a health concern.

To order for a mold test kit, call 905-290-9101.

Is black mold on my walls bad? Not every black mold is bad but all molds should be treated as potential health hazards. The only way to tell whether the mold is bad or not is to have it tested by a qualified mycologist (i.e., a person who is qualified to correctly identify yeasts and molds). But regardless of whether the mold is of health concern or not it should be removed for a number of good reasons. First, mold damages any organic material it grows on. Secondly, mold is unsightly and we don't want to see it growing on the walls of our houses.

It is important to remember that mold growth is an indication of moisture problem. Therefore, the key to controlling mold growth indoors is to eliminate moisture.

• Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.


• There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.


• If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.


• Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.


• Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60% ) to decrease mold growth by: venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air conditioners and de-humidifiers; increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.


• Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.


• Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.


• Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.


• In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).


• Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.

Source: US, Environmental Protection Agency