Mold Testing and Remediation

Sunlight Contractors has the experience, the personnel, and, more importantly, the trusted credentials to do your mold testing and remediation right the first time.

Why Choose Sunlight?

For over 18 years, Sunlight Contractors has served the spray foam insulation, mold testing & remediation, fireproofing, renovations, and soundproofing needs of homeowners and businesses in all of Louisiana. Make sure when choosing a spray foam contractor to make sure they are licensed and certified with the LSLBC. You always want a contractor that is backed by licensure and certifications for your peace of mind.

certification logos top row
roofer certifications
form-5-star-ratings

With 1000+ five-star reviews, Sunlight Contractors is the most trusted installer of spray foam insulation in NOLA.

Contact Us For A Free Quote

New Contact Form 2024

Mold Testing & Mold Removal Services

Certified Mold Remediation Specialists

Mold Remediation Rule #1: Prevent Spread & Cross-contamination - Mold reproduces by airborne spores. Without taking serious precautions, it is very easy to create a much larger mold problem.

Mold Testing

Our professionals test for mold by collecting indoor air quality samples in your home or business. A spore trap test determines what type of mold is present and the level of concentration. This process is recognized across the industry as a superior mold sampling method. 

Airborne mold spores can cause respiratory health consequences.  Air traps test the same air that you are breathing in your home or office. The level of mold spores in the air is very important to consider when making a determination if a mold remediation job is necessary or not.

The test begins with taking an outdoor air sample to establish a baseline airborne mold level. Next, one or more samples are taken inside the home or business. The samples are sent to a laboratory and results are normally received in 24-48 hours.

Air0O-Cell Mold Spore Trap

WHEN SHOULD YOU HAVE MOLD TESTING DONE?

Any one of the following may indicate a mold problem:

  • a moldy or musty smell, even if you don’t SEE signs of mold
  • tiny clusters of small black, gray, brown, green, or white spots appear on walls, ceilings, windows, floors, or baseboards
  • orange, pink, or purple spots on wallpaper
  • white thread-like patterns in any of those areas
  • a past or ongoing moisture problem like flooding, leaks, or high humidity/condensation levels
  • sneezing, runny/stuffy nose, cough, itchy/watery eyes that suddenly get better whenever you leave the house/building

Have mold testing done if you see visible mold, smell mold, or feel sick for a period of time in your property. Consider having a mold test performed if water or moisture damage has occurred. If you notice any of these issues, your home or business should be inspected/tested for mold contamination:

High mold spore counts indoors can impact an occupant’s health. The ultimate reason for testing mold is to protect your health and your family’s health. If you suspect mold growth in your property, you should conduct a mold test.

Mold from inexperienced spray foam contractors

 

TYPES OF MOLD?

Black mold, AKA toxic mold, is a commonly used term for a variety of molds that are, in fact, black. We test for these types of mold.

Lab tests show the concentration and types of mold including:

  • Chlamydospores 
  • Cladosporium 
  • Basidiospores
  • Hyphae
  • Myxomycetes
  • Penicillium/Aspergillus
  • Pithomyces
  • Smuts
  • Ascospores (including)
    • Chaetomium
    • Ascotricha
    • Peziza

Black mold, AKA toxic mold, is a commonly used term for a variety of molds that are, in fact, black. We test for these types of mold.

Lab tests show the concentration and types of mold including:

  • Chlamydospores 
  • Cladosporium 
  • Basidiospores
  • Hyphae
  • Myxomycetes
  • Penicillium/Aspergillus
  • Pithomyces
  • Smuts
  • Ascospores (including)
    • Chaetomium
    • Ascotricha
    • Peziza
types of mold

WHAT IS A MOLD TEST?

A mold test determines if there are elevated mold counts inside a home or business. The goal of a mold test is to compare your inside air quality with the outside air quality. Air sample tests measure the number of mold spores per cubic meter.

Professional mold tests will detect up to one million spores per meter cubed. Most results in Louisiana are between zero and 600,000 spores per cubic meter. The higher the number, the more mold contamination.

sam-verified-vendor-seal (1)

CAN YOU DO YOUR OWN MOLD TESTING?

Yes, DIY mold test kits can be found in most hardware stores. Most test kits involve placing a petri dish somewhere inside the property to observe for mold. Just as if you placed a slice of bread in most any room, mold growth will occur on the petri dish. It will always show mold growth.

Mold exists everywhere on planet Earth outside of sterile environments found in some factories or laboratories. A small number of mold spores will always be found in your home, commercial building, food, restaurant, car, boat, outdoors, etc. The petri dish mold test simply determines the presence of mold. Molds of all different types exist all around us.

Most at-home mold kits do not determine if you have elevated mold counts. These tests also do not identify the types of molds present.

Professionals use air sample mold tests because the results show what types of mold are present and their concentration levels. Both mold concentration level and mold type are important factors to consider whether mold cleanup or mold remediation is the best next-step.

Instead of throwing your money away, hire a professional. They have the specialized knowledge and equipment to give you the right information about the health and safety of your home.

IS MOLD EXPOSURE HARMFUL?

Besides damaging building materials and furnishings and being just plain ugly, unchecked mold can also endanger your health. 

The CDC reports that mold exposure can result in:

  • nasal stuffiness
  • eye or skin irritation
  • worsening of asthma symptoms
  • serious respiratory infections

The EPA states that dead mold can still cause allergic reactions in people. It is not just enough to just kill mold. It must also be completely removed from the property.

Mold formed under joists
Weatherproofing your home can prevent mold and add value to your home.

CAN I STOP MOLD BEFORE IT EVER STARTS?

Absolutely. The perpetual humidity in cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge create the perfect environment for mold to grow. Getting rid of mold once it settles in can be costly. Plus, mold damage is often excluded from business property insurance, so prevention is crucial. 

Moisture-resistant foam insulation, like K-13 Spray-On Systems

  • Maximizes moisture control by creating conditions hostile to mildew and mold growth
  • Reduces noise
  • Increases energy efficiency
  • Improves fire resistance
  • Adds structural integrity

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I SUSPECT MOLD?

Two words: Act now on mold remediation. Even the smallest mold patch can lead to a bigger one. Or worse, there could already be a larger mold colony hiding in the background. 

Mold is microscopic. You can not see most of it. Every inch of the contaminated room must be cleaned to prevent a recurrence.

Mold Removal

Mold remediation is the industry term for removal of mold from a property making it safe and healthy to occupy. Our mold remediation services follow the recommendations and best practices for mold remediation published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Generally the process involves 5 broad steps:

  • Address the source of the mold-causing moisture
  • Contain the area to prevent further contamination by airborne spores
  • Mold cleanup, and removal of water damaged material
  • Treat with mold inhibitor
  • Repair or remodel affected area
Mold Removal Review

HOW DO I GET RID OF MOLD? WHAT IS THE MOLD REMEDIATION PROCESS?

Mold Removal Basics

Most mold removal projects will include the following tasks:

  • Address the cause of any water/moisture problem. This will prevent new mold spores from growing.
  • Isolate the contaminated area
    • Close doors and windows between the contaminated area and other rooms
    • Cover all doorways/openings with 6 mil. polyethylene sheeting, using duct tape to seal seams if more than 10 square feet are affected
  • Dampen contaminated areas to minimize dust.
  • Remove wet and mold-damaged porous materials in accordance with EPA guidelines. Ceiling tiles, insulation, wallboard, and fabrics are generally removed and disposed of since ensuring complete mold removal is nearly impossible.
  • Clean and re-use non-porous and semi-porous materials like metals, glass, hard plastics, wood, and concrete.
  • Discard all wet and moldy materials in 6+ mil. thick plastic bags, double-bagged, and tied closed.
  • Wipe down trash bags with damp cloth and detergent solution before removing them from the contamination area for regular trash disposal.
  • Clean moldy non-porous materials and wood surfaces
    • Scrub with a wire brush
    • Wipe the area with disposable wipes
    • Discard wipes in the same manner as wet/moldy materials as described above
    • Scrub all moldy surfaces with damp cloth and detergent solution until no mold remains
    • Rinse all surfaces with clean water.
  • Clean the affected area and all entrances
    • For areas no larger than 10 square feet, clean with a damp cloth and/or mop with detergent solution. 
    • For contamination areas of 10-30 square feet, vacuum all surfaces with a HEPA vacuum first. 
    • Discard cloths/wipes as described in two previous bullets.
  • Visually inspect to ensure that all areas appear free of contamination and debris.
  • Dry cleaned materials and keep the area well-ventilated so that residual moisture evaporates. To help speed up the drying process:
    • Raise the indoor air temperature
    • Use fans
    • Use dehumidifiers
  • Update the remediation plan if additional mold is discovered during the process.
  • Replace building materials that were removed. Bring the space to an intact and finished condition. Consider using mold-prohibitive building materials.
  • Assess the effectiveness of the remediation via evaluation methods recommended by the EPA. These should include visual inspections and follow-up visits to determine whether::
    • Moisture issues have been remedied
    • Occupants who have reentered the home have no aggravated health complaints or other physical symptoms of mold exposure
    • Additional testing may be recommended

If you have a much larger mold problem:  one that extends to your air ducts and HVAC system, protocols may vary. Click here to get a better understanding of what that level of remediation might entail: Mold Remediation Guidelines

The remediation steps above are based on widely used guidelines in the construction industry for mold contamination confined to no more than 30 square feet. The specific level of mold remediation required is based on the square footage of the mold, and whether the mold contaminates the home's HVAC system.

Remediation and removal can be challenging. Read outr post on the differences between mold removal and mold remediation.

CAN I TACKLE A MOLD REMOVAL PROJECT MYSELF?

The EPA says that if the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet, you can give it a shot. Just don’t forget an N-95 respirator, mid-forearm gloves, and unvented goggles. The job involves lots of scrubbing.

It is critical to thoroughly research what types of cleansers, chemicals and/or biocides are appropriate for your situation. 

The EPA recommends that you hire a mold remediation professional if your mold problem appears to be any larger than 10 square feet. A professional has the tools to find mold that is hidden from plain view.

Even dead mold can cause allergic reactions. You can’t just kill it, you have to remove the dead mold too.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING THE REMEDIATION PROCESS?

When Sunlight Contractors responds to a mold problem, our mold remediation specialists will:

  • Respond and act quickly
  • Use specialized equipment and follow specific protocols to reduce mold exposure
  • Wear protective clothing, including an N95 respirator, unvented eye goggles and mid-forearm rubber gloves
  • Ensure that the mold is clearly and properlyidentified and assessed  via a visual inspection of the entire building including inside & outside
  • Evaluate at-risk areas for potentially hidden mold presence
  • Review the building’s leak and flood history
  • Discuss with you whether they recommend pre-testing air and/or surfaces to identify the type and concentration of mold in your home.
  • Report of the origin(s) and location(s) of the mold.
  • Report the magnitude of the problem.
  • Outline the procedures, equipment and tools required for effective cleanup and removal.
  • Document the mold contamination with writing, photos and video before any remediation begins.
  • Present a specific remediation plan which includes the proposed solution, the employees performing the work, and a schedule of when work will be completed.
  • Develop a plan that uses the safest and most effective methods to contain and safely remove both live and dead mold.
  • Explain the details of the remediation plan based upon the scope and magnitude of your mold issue.

SHOULD I TAKE PRE-TESTING AND POST-TESTING MOLD SPORE SAMPLES?

You should always conduct pre and post mold testing. Pre-testing determines if you have an existing problem with elevated mold in your property.

If the results are elevated, hire a professional mold remediation company to remove the mold source. The only way to determine if the company hired was successful and meet the clearance criteria goals is to conduct a post mold test

Having the starting mold spore numbers from the pre-mold test allows the homeowner to verify remediation by validating that the post-mold test counts are lower. A remediation company can only give a guarantee for their work with pre and post testing.

At a minimum, post-testing results ensure that the space meets the health and safety standards for mold as published by the EPA.

Mold inspector

WHY SHOULD I CALL SUNLIGHT CONTRACTORS FOR MOLD REMEDIATION?

Sunlight Contractors owner Corey Yates is a certified and licensed mold remediator with experience in both mold assessment and remediation. He and his team members are committed to promptly and properly addressing your mold issues, while ensuring your safety. Our mold remediation experts will not only tackle your existing mold problems, they can help you prevent future ones. 

WHAT DOES MOLD REMOVAL COST?

Mold removal costs vary by job and is dependent upon the scope and magnitude of the contamination. The longer the mold is allowed to spread, the larger the job it will be to contain the mold. Remediation may involve cleaning ductwork, and crawlspaces, as well as any visible mold problem.

CALL TODAY!

No other mold remediation expert can offer the savings and services that Sunlight Contractor does. Call or email Sunlight Contractors today to learn more about mold remediation for your home or business.

Mold Remediation

Our Locations

Servicing all of Louisiana – Including Metairie, Marrero, Harvey, Mandeville, LaPlace, Norco Covington, Gretna, Destrehan, Lacombe, Saint Rose, Madisonville, Baker, Slaughter, Zachary, Bay St. louis, Picayune, Diamondhead, and more.  Call (504) 222-2082, or any of our locations for more information on your service area!

WANT LOWER ENERGY COSTS & BETTER AIR QUALITY?

Contact Sunlight Contractors Today

Scroll to Top