If you have a basement mold problem, a mold inspection should include a walk-around the property to look for sources of foundation moisture from the exterior. If you’ve had mold growth in a room on the first or second floor, a look at your gutter system should be part of the inspection, because a properly maintained gutter system should keep roof water away from the house. If you think you have mold in your attic, the mold inspector should check to see if there have been roof leaks, if there is adequate attic ventilation, or if there are openings at the attic access or at recessed light fixtures or around pipes or ducts that allow moist house air to leak up into the attic.

Most mold inspectors take samples of the air with a device that traps  particles on a sticky surface. They should also take a sample of the outdoor air to compare it to the indoor air. They may also take samples of dust on interior surfaces, using sticky tape or swabs. Most mold inspectors send their samples to a testing lab for analysis, because they don’t have the training to analyze the samples themselves.

Mold inspectors should produce reports with observations and recommendations, and include a copy of the testing-lab report.

Most mold inspectors have a basic fee for the site visit and an additional charge for each sample they take. When you shop around for a mold inspector, be sure to ask what fees may be involved for the services offered. Lastly, don’t be surprised if the mold inspector you hire puts on a face mask or gloves. This is for protection, because the mold inspector enters unhealthy environments on a daily basis.

If you want to understand why and where mold grows, learn how to get rid of it and prevent it from returning, buy a copy of The Mold Survival Guide: For Your Home and for Your Health, Jeffrey C. May and Connie L. May (2004). Jeff May is also author of My House is Killing Me! The Home Guide for Families with Allergies and Asthma (2001). Both books are published by The Johns Hopkins University Press and are available on amazon.com.