Mold Inspection and Testing in Upper Marlboro, DC

6 Companies Doing Mold Testing Work in Upper Marlboro

Hire an Independent Inspector

A mold inspector tells you whether you have a problem, where it is and what caused it. A remediator removes it. When the same company does both, it has a reason to find mold. If you can, hire an inspector who does not do remediation, and ask the remediator to follow that inspector’s written plan.

Ask the inspector what the visit includes. A good one looks for the moisture source first, uses a moisture meter and often a thermal camera, and only takes air or surface samples when the result will change what you do. After the work, a clearance test by the same independent inspector shows whether the job is done.

How to read a mold lab report

Mold Licensing in District of Columbia

The District licenses mold assessors and mold remediators through the Department of Energy and Environment. Anyone paid to assess or remediate indoor mold in a home must hold a DOEE license. When a landlord finds 10 square feet or more of mold in a rental, a licensed professional must assess and remediate it. An owner who lives in the home may do the work alone.

DC rules bar a licensed assessor or remediator from working on any property where they or their company has a financial interest, and they must tell you about any conflict of interest. To check a license, ask for the name and license number and compare it with the list of licensed mold professionals that DOEE publishes.

Can You Handle It Yourself

Call a pro

Home test kits that grow spores in a dish almost always grow something, because mold spores are everywhere. They cannot tell you whether you have a problem. A moisture meter and a flashlight will tell you more for less money.

Read the step by step guide

What It Costs Around Upper Marlboro

Prices in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area run about 9 percent above the national average, so local jobs tend to cost more than the national figures.

Full Washington, DC cost guide

Questions to Ask Before You Hire

1. Do you also do remediation? If so, who checks your work?
2. How many air samples will you take, and will you take an outdoor control sample?
3. Which lab analyzes the samples, and is it accredited?
4. Will the report include moisture readings and photos, not only lab numbers?
5. Are you licensed as a mold assessor where this home is?

Guides for This Job

• Call a proMold Testing, When It Is Worth It and How to Read a Lab ReportWhen a mold test is worth paying for, which kind to ask for, why store kits mislead, and how to read spore counts, outdoor controls and a lab report yourself.
• DIY with careMold Inspection and Testing Cost, and Who to HireTypical mold inspection and testing costs, from visual checks to air and surface samples, lab fees and clearance, and how to hire an independent inspector.
• Call a proMold Testing, When It Is Worth It and How to Read a Lab ReportWhen a mold test is worth paying for, which kind to ask for, why store kits mislead, and how to read spore counts, outdoor controls and a lab report yourself.
• DIY with careAttic Mold on Roof Sheathing, Causes and FixesWhy mold grows on attic roof sheathing, how to find the cause, the fixes that stop it for good, and how to tell a cosmetic stain from a roof that needs work.

Questions People Ask