If you’re worried about mold in your home, you may not know where to start. Maybe you’ve noticed a musty smell, found staining after a leak, or you’re buying a home and saw something that raised a question.
We hear questions like “How can I tell if my house has mold?”, “Who can test my house for mold?”, and “Can you test the air for mold?” pretty regularly.
Gordon & Associates provides mold inspections and mold testing throughout the Kansas City area. We evaluate the accessible home for visible conditions and moisture concerns, and when air testing is performed, collect samples to provide additional information about the mold spores present.
How Can I Tell If My House Has Mold?
Visible growth is one sign, but mold isn’t always obvious. Musty odors, staining, moisture, or a history of roof, plumbing, and foundation leaks can all be reasons to investigate further.
Those conditions don’t automatically mean you have a mold problem. A mold inspection helps evaluate what is actually happening in the home rather than making assumptions from one smell or stain.
At Gordon & Associates, we evaluate the entire accessible home, with moisture-prone areas receiving careful attention as part of the inspection.
Who Can Test My House for Mold in Kansas City?
Gordon & Associates provides professional mold inspections and mold testing throughout Kansas City and surrounding communities.
Dru Gordon has performed residential and commercial property inspections throughout the Kansas City area for many years and holds MICRO Certification #83697.
We provide mold inspection services for homeowners, homebuyers, and property owners on both the Kansas and Missouri sides of the Kansas City metro.
Can You Test the Air in a House for Mold?
Yes. Mold air testing can identify the types and concentrations of mold spores present in the sampled air.
When Gordon & Associates performs mold air testing, we collect air samples from each level of the home along with an exterior control sample. The samples are analyzed and provide spore counts and information about the types of mold spores identified.
Mold spores naturally exist in the environment, so the results are considered along with what we observe during the inspection.
What If My House Smells Musty but I Can’t See Mold?
A musty smell can be a reason to investigate, even when you can’t see visible mold. The odor alone, however, can’t tell you exactly what’s causing it.
We look for conditions such as staining, moisture, previous leaks, water intrusion, and visible mold-like growth. Air testing can provide additional information when the source of a concern isn’t obvious.
What’s the Difference Between a Mold Inspection and Mold Testing?
A mold inspection evaluates the property itself. Mold testing collects samples that provide additional information about mold spores.
During a mold inspection, we evaluate the accessible home for visible mold-like growth, moisture conditions, staining, water intrusion, and other related conditions.
When air testing is performed, samples are collected from each level of the home along with an exterior control sample. Looking at the physical conditions in the home together with the test results provides more useful information than relying on either one alone.
Should I Get Mold Testing Before Buying a House?
Mold testing can provide additional information before buying a home, especially when there are concerns about moisture, staining, odors, previous leaks, or suspected mold growth.
Some buyers also choose mold testing because they simply want more information about the mold spores present in the home’s air.
Testing doesn’t replace inspecting the property. Understanding the visible conditions of the home and looking for possible moisture sources are important parts of evaluating a mold concern.
I Found Mold in the Basement. Does That Mean It’s Throughout the House?
Not necessarily. Finding suspected mold in one area doesn’t automatically mean the same condition exists throughout the home.
Basements are naturally an area where moisture concerns may be found, but we don’t stop the inspection there. The rest of the accessible home is evaluated as well.
When air testing is performed, samples from each level can provide additional information about the mold spores present throughout the home.
I Had a Water Leak. Does That Mean I Have Mold?
No. A previous roof or plumbing leak does not automatically mean mold developed.
What matters is what happened after the leak, including how long materials remained wet, what repairs were completed, and what conditions are present now.
If you’re unsure after a leak or other water intrusion, a mold inspection can help evaluate the current conditions.
Can I Test My House for Mold Myself?
Home mold test kits are available, but the results don’t necessarily tell you why mold spores are present or what’s happening within the home.
Mold spores naturally occur indoors and outdoors. A professional evaluation considers the test results along with visible conditions, moisture concerns, sampling locations, and conditions throughout the property.
That’s an important difference between simply collecting a sample and evaluating the home for a potential mold concern.
How Much Does Mold Testing Cost in Kansas City?
A mold inspection and mold testing with Gordon & Associates averages around $400, although pricing can vary depending on the property and testing required.
The size and layout of the home, number of samples, and testing needed can affect the final price. We can provide pricing for a specific property before scheduling.
Who Does Mold Testing Near Me in Kansas City?
Gordon & Associates provides mold inspections and mold air testing throughout the Kansas City metro, including Overland Park, Olathe, Gardner, Prairie Village, Leawood, Lenexa, Shawnee, Ottawa, Lawrence, and surrounding communities.
Dru Gordon’s credentials include ASHI #245322 and MICRO Certification #83697, along with additional professional certifications related to inspection services provided by Gordon & Associates.
If you’re looking for a mold inspector in Kansas City, you should understand what you’re getting before scheduling. Ask whether the home will be physically evaluated, how air sampling is performed, where samples will be collected, and what information you’ll receive afterward.
Can Gordon & Associates Help With a Mold Concern?
Yes. If you’ve found something you’re concerned about, noticed a musty odor, had a previous leak, or want mold testing before buying a home, Gordon & Associates can evaluate the property and perform mold testing when requested.
Tell us what you’ve noticed and what questions you have about the property. We can explain the mold inspection and testing process and provide pricing based on the property and services needed.