By Super Green Environmental — Licensed Mold Assessor #MRSA2418, serving Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties
Quick answer: Mold testing answers a specific question: is there mold, what kind, and how does the indoor level compare with the outdoor air? Indoor air quality (IAQ) testing answers a broader one: what is in the air you breathe, including dust, chemical vapors, carbon dioxide, and mold spores? Choose mold testing when you see or smell mold or have had water damage. Choose air quality testing when something feels wrong but nothing visible explains it. Many properties benefit from both, because mold spores are one part of indoor air quality.
What is mold testing?
Mold testing is designed to confirm whether mold is present, identify what it is, and find the moisture that is feeding it. A licensed assessor typically combines several methods:
- Air sampling measures airborne mold spores. The indoor result is compared with an outdoor control sample taken at the same visit, which shows whether the indoor air is unusual for the day.
- Surface sampling uses swabs, tape lifts, or bulk samples to confirm active growth and identify the type of mold on a specific surface.
- Moisture mapping uses moisture meters and infrared imaging to locate damp materials and water intrusion points, including ones you cannot see.
Samples go to an accredited third-party laboratory, and you receive a written report with the lab results and photo documentation. See our mold testing page for the three assessment levels we offer.
What is air quality testing?
Indoor air quality testing measures and analyzes the air inside a building for contaminants that can affect comfort and health. Mold spores are only one item on the list. Our IAQ testing covers:
Moisture is what lets mold grow, which is why both tests start by looking for it. For homeowner-level background, see the EPA’s A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home.
- Mold spores and fungal particulates
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from paints, adhesives, and building materials
- Particulate matter and fine dust
- Carbon dioxide levels, which indicate how well a space is ventilated
- Chemical pollutants from cleaning products and furnishings
It is most useful for persistent odors with no visible source, allergy or irritation complaints indoors, HVAC or ventilation concerns, and post-construction or renovation spaces. See our air quality testing page for details.
Which test do I need?
- You can see or smell mold, or had a leak or flood: start with mold testing. It includes moisture mapping, which finds the source.
- You have musty odors, headaches, or irritation but no visible mold or water damage: start with air quality testing.
- You are buying, selling, or renting and need documentation: mold testing gives you lab-verified findings for a specific property condition.
- You had mold remediation: you need post-remediation verification, a clearance test that confirms the work was done. See remediation protocols and PRV.
- You are not sure: describe what you are noticing when you call. We will recommend the narrowest test that answers your question rather than the biggest package.
Frequently asked questions
Does a mold test also tell me about my air quality?
Only for mold. A mold test measures airborne mold spores, but it does not measure VOCs, particulates, carbon dioxide, or chemical pollutants. If your concern goes beyond mold, ask for IAQ testing.
Can an air quality test find mold inside a wall?
An air sample can show elevated spore levels, but it cannot pinpoint where hidden growth is. Moisture mapping and infrared imaging are what locate damp materials behind surfaces, which is why they are part of a mold assessment.
How long does each test take?
A typical on-site inspection takes 45–90 minutes. Laboratory results and your written report are typically back within 24–48 hours.
Are store-bought mold test kits enough?
Usually not. A kit can tell you that spores exist, which is true of almost every indoor space, but it cannot tell you how the level compares with outdoors or where the moisture is coming from. See do mold test kits work?
Who should perform the test?
A licensed mold assessor who does not also sell remediation. Under Florida Statutes § 468.8419(1)(d), an assessor or the assessor’s company may not perform or offer to perform remediation on a structure it assessed within the previous 12 months. We never perform remediation at all. Read more in how to hire a mold inspector in Florida.
To schedule an independent inspection, call 833-431-6653 or request an inspection online.