Piedmont Environmetal Services LLC (Piedmont Environmental) is IESO/AmIAQ board-certified to provide a mold survey of the home and conduct mold sampling using swabs, tapes and/or air sampling equipment. All samples are FedEx'd to an AIHA Accredited Laboratory for analysis.We use thermal imagery in conjuntion with standard testing procedures to evaluate areas of your building to locate moisture laden areas either attributing to or containing mold growth patterns as well as drier areas that may contain non-viable (dead) mold.

Thermal imagery is an invaluable tool that can help identify direct sources or causes of moisture entering within the building.

The thermogram of this vinyl-sided 3-floor apartment house clearly shows the path of a serious leak from a washing machine on the third floor, which is completely hidden within the wall.

Everybody has indoor mold, some just have it worse than others! Even if you can't see mold, it is there. The big question is, 'How bad is it?'"Higher risk" mold conditions are more easily recognized by the sudden visual appearance of emerging mold. Another and unmistaken evidence of this kind of mold problem is the presence of a pungent mildew or musty odor, even when mold is not visibly evident. The faintest whiff of this odor should immediately prompt one's concern about mold exposure and to take quick action to identify its cause and clean up the mold and mildew damage!

Every individual has a different sensitivity to mold. While one may experience extreme discomfort, others in the same environment have no symptoms. Those displaying no symptoms, however, can acquire a sensitivity to mold from prolonged exposures to it. Health implications include:

Headache, fatigue, shortness of breath.
Sinus congestion, coughing and sneezing.
Eye, nose, throat and skin irritation.
Dizziness, nausea and/or vomiting.

Individuals at highest risk for health complications from mold include:

Allergy and asthma sufferers.
People with respiratory disease.
Those with weak immune systems (elderly, youths and others).
Contact lens wearers

Different types of tests can be run to determine the types and levels of molds that may be present in the dwelling of concern. These are:   

Air Sample (Non-Viable) & lab analysis Air Sample (Viable) & lab analysis Swab Sample & lab analysis Tape Sample & lab analysis Carpet Sample & lab analysis

For a listing of some of the widely found fungi that are regularly tested for, view our Fungal Glossary for definitions of some of the various types.

If the home you are thinking about purchasing has mold, do not panic! Unacceptable mold levels can be removed from the home, and the home brought back to the original condition. Any water problem that is contributing to the mold growth, must also be fixed otherwise the mold will eventually grow back.