Mold Inspection in Fountain Valley
Contact us today for a Mold Inspection in Fountain Valley on your Residential or Commercial Property in Southern California: Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego
Fountain Valley Mold Inspections
3West Environmental is proud to offer Fountain Valley mold inspection services using our state of the art inspection equipment. Once onsite, we will conduct a thorough investigation and provide a comprehensive report. Upon completion, the complete report will have conditions documented with photographs, lab results and subsequent inspector recommendations.
Why does mold grow in Fountain Valley?
The City of Fountain Valley is located in the heart of Orange County just minutes from many points of interest. Although the weather and views are great, the climate also tends to create an environment perfect for mold growth. In addition, mold can grow when moisture gets trapped near a home’s foundation or in an attic due to a leaking roof. And after all, mold can grow in as little as 24-48 hours.
3West Environmental is an ACAC Council-Certified Microbial Investigator and can help you with any mold and moisture concerns. We’ll make your Fountain Valley mold inspection easy and painless.
Advantages of a Mold Inspection
Contact us today for a mold inspection in order to obtain a thorough assessment of your structure to determine:
- Is there mold?
- The extent of the mold in the structure.
- To develop an action plan for dealing with the mold.
3West Environmental is certified through ACAC as an ACAC Council-Certified Microbial Investigator. We’re also certified for mold inspections through IAC2 and InterNACHI. Because of this you can rest easy knowing we are qualified and certified to help you with your mold & moisture concerns. So contact us today to go over your specific situation and for a complimentary quote.
3West Environmental proudly serves Southern California. Our main service area is in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego; however, we sometimes go into other counties depending on the project. So contact us to go over your specific needs and we’ll let you know if we can help.
Since we have multiple certifications we’re your “one-stop shop” solution for mold, asbestos and lead paint inspections. We also offer other services such as bacteria testing, nicotine/meth testing and other various sampling. So if you have a specific need and don’t see it listed, contact us and we’ll do our best to point you in the right direction.
How do we conduct a standard mold inspection?
3West Environmental offers complete mold inspection services using state of the art inspection and sampling equipment. So you can be confident your inspection will be thorough and accurate.
When you initially call us we will do our best to clearly communicate the mold inspection process and the pricing. Customer service is our top priority and a big part of customer service is communication. For this reason, we will fully explain all charges so there are no surprise fees and once booked we will follow up by sending you a confirmation e-mail with the job details and pricing. At this time, the price of the mold inspection is mostly dependent upon the square footage of the property. However, if the client decides on mold samples the cost is currently $125 per approved mold sample.
We will then confirm the scope of our inspection when we arrive at the job site. We will also provide you a summary of the process, pricing and the estimated time-frame for completion.
Keep reading below for more details on the mold inspection process and the different sampling options.
Benefits of a Mold Inspection
Our Mold Inspection Process
A standard mold inspection involves a thorough visual observation and detailed documentation of conditions that can promote mold growth. Where required, we will take photos and thermal imaging, record atmospheric, moisture & humidity readings, and list out areas of preventative maintenance.
If there are any areas of concern, we will recommend mold samples to determine the presence of mold spores. The main types of mold samples are air, surface and cavity samples. A certified local laboratory then analyzes each approved mold sample to establish the different types of mold spores present and the quantities for each type.
- Air samples are helpful to determine the quality of air in a specific area. We then compare the inside air sample to the outside control/baseline sample.
- Surface samples are a great way to get definitive laboratory data on a mold-like substance.
- Cavity samples will show the quality of air inside a wall or ceiling space.
Our pricing includes a base inspection fee, plus an additional charge for each sample you want us to take.
Afterwards, we will provide you the complete mold inspection report, lab results and a recommended action plan for any potential mold remediation.
Contact us today with any questions or to schedule an appointment.
Air Samples
More Info
Air samples will show the different types of mold present in the breathable air of a specific room.
The results will also show the quantities for each type of mold.
The types of mold are listed on the Genus level.
Air sample are collected in the following manner:
- A tripod is set up in the middle of the room.
- An air pump is set up on the tripod.
- The air pump is calibrated to a flow rate of 15 liters per minute.
- A circular sampling “cassette” is placed on the air pump.
- Air passes through the sampling cassette for 5 minutes.
- A total volume of 75 liters is collected (15 lpm x 5 minutes).
The coverage for each air sample is one standard sized room.
At least one outside sample is also needed in order to have a control/baseline sample.
Two outside samples are best (one upwind & one downwind) though most clients will choose only one sample because of the cost.
The results from the inside sample will then be compared to the outside sample in order to help determine if the mold levels inside are elevated.
Surface Samples
More Info
Surface samples are most often collected by using a “swab” or a “tape lift”.
The benefit of a surface sample is that it shows if mold is present on a specific surface.
The disadvantage to a swab sample is that it is only a test of a specific area (approximately 2″ x 2″) and it does not test any airborne spores.
Contact us to learn more about your options and which samples might be right for your situation.
Cavity Samples
More Info
Cavity samples are a way of checking for mold spores inside a wall or ceiling cavity.
A cavity sample is performed by drilling a small hole about the size of a dime.
After waiting a few minutes for any dust inside the cavity to settle, an air hose is then inserted into the cavity.
The air hose is connected to an air pump and then an air sample is collected.
This is similar to a regular “air sample”; however, slight modifications are made.
The results however, will still show the different types of mold spores present and the quantities for each type.
A Quick Look at a Mold Clearance Inspection
Other Services
Asbestos Surveys
When are asbestos surveys needed?
Anytime there will be a renovation or repair. Since the main asbestos regulations are related to worker safety, air quality, disposal of hazardous waste and local permits there will almost always be one of the regulations that are applicable. This can be confusing because of the overlap of regulations in Southern California.
Lead Paint Inspections
Do my painting projects need a lead paint test?
Lead is toxic and consequently causes health and behavioral problems, especially in children. Because of this, a lead paint survey or lead paint samples are necessary when paint is disturbed on a structure built before 1978.
Mold Inspections
Could I have mold in my home?
Mold can grow within 24-48 hours after a bad water incident, so getting a mold inspection is a great way to obtain a full evaluation of your home or building. We care about your peace of mind, so if you are concerned about the presence of mold or water damage, please call us today.
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