DIY vs. Professional Denver Mold Testing

If you think there might be mold in your home, it’s an issue you’ll want to take care of right away. However, if you rent, your landlord might not be willing to put forth the money for mold cleaning unless a mold test is conducted first. Mold tests can also help Denver homeowners to have a better picture of what they’re dealing with. After all, not all molds are toxic and while it’s always a good idea to get rid of a mold problem, some mold problems need to be handled sooner than others.

When it comes to Denver mold testing, there are two options: you can have a professional mold testing done or you can buy a mold kit and do the test yourself. Many homeowners find the idea of a DIY mold test appealing because it’s less expensive and seems like less hassle. Others need the confidence of a professional in order to move forward. But which is the right choice? Let’s break down the pros and cons.

DIY Mold Testing

The biggest benefit that people find in DIY mold testing is that it’s less expensive. In order to perform a DIY mold test, you just buy a mold kit from Home Depot or a similar store, follow the instructions, and learn the results. You’re not paying for labor or expertise, just for the kit itself. You also can do it on your own time, so you don’t have to worry about scheduling. However, this is where the advantages to DIY mold testing end.

On the other hand, DIY mold tests tend to be less accurate. Homeowners aren’t typically trained in conducting mold testing, so results tend to be less accurate. It could be an issue of conducting the test incorrectly or reading the results incorrectly. Either way, it’s not something you want to chance when it comes to your home and air quality. You also have only the instructions on the kit to go off, so conducting the test could cause some frustration. You may be uncertain of the answers and want to consult a professional anyway, in which case buying the mold kit wastes money and effort.

Professional Denver Mold Testing

Much like the biggest benefit to DIY mold testing is the cost, the biggest drawback to professional mold testing is the cost. In fact, the reason professional mold testing is not typically the first action to take is because it is costly. That’s why professionals recommend a mold inspection and trying to clean the problem before testing. However, as stated above, sometimes a mold test is necessary in order to gauge the severity of the problem or to motivate your landlord to take action. And as in most cases, you get what you pay for.

What you pay for, in the case of professional mold testing, is expertise and someone else’s labor, so that you essentially don’t have to do anything. A professional tester will know exactly how to take the test and what factors to consider. While everyone’s susceptibility to mold is different, they’ll be able to give you the best general idea of the severity of your mold problem as well as the steps to take from there. They’re well acquainted with the different types of mold, including all those that are potentially toxic.

DIY mold testing can seem tempting, especially in our DIY heavy culture, but ultimately if you can afford it, a professional Denver mold testing will give you more accurate results and peace of mind at the end of the day.You want to be sure about the safety of your home, not “pretty sure.”