Mold Inspection & Testing Tampa | St. Petersburg

Mold and moisture problems can occur in homes, commercial buildings, schools, offices and other properties throughout Tampa, St. Petersburg and the surrounding Tampa Bay region.

When mold sampling is appropriate, EMSL Analytical provides professional laboratory analysis of air, surface and bulk samples collected during mold and indoor environmental investigations.

Our laboratory services can assist mold inspectors, indoor environmental professionals, home inspectors, restoration contractors, property managers, consultants, homeowners and other professionals who need reliable identification and analysis of suspected mold contamination.

Whether you need mold testing in Tampa, FL, mold testing in St. Petersburg, FL, or laboratory support elsewhere in the Tampa Bay area, EMSL offers a wide range of microbiological and indoor air quality testing services.

A professional mold investigation generally focuses on determining whether moisture conditions or visible microbial growth are present in a building.

Common warning signs can include:

The EPA emphasizes that moisture control is the key to controlling indoor mold growth. It also notes that wet or damp materials should generally be dried quickly after a leak or spill.

Properties in St. Petersburg and throughout Pinellas County may experience moisture intrusion from plumbing problems, roof leaks, HVAC condensation, storm events, flooding and other sources.

When an investigation requires laboratory analysis, samples may be collected from indoor and outdoor environments and submitted to EMSL for identification and evaluation.

Mold laboratory testing can help provide information about the types and quantities of fungal material found in submitted samples.

Mold inspection and mold testing are related, but they are not the same service.

A mold inspection or assessment generally involves evaluating a property for evidence of moisture, water damage and suspected microbial growth.

Mold testing involves collecting samples and submitting them to a laboratory for analysis.

The Florida Department of Health notes that visible mold can often be identified without sampling and recommends investigating the underlying moisture problem. The EPA similarly states that sampling is generally unnecessary when visible mold growth is already present. When sampling is performed, it should be designed and interpreted by experienced professionals.

Laboratory testing may be useful when additional information is needed about suspected contamination, hidden mold, post-remediation conditions or samples collected as part of a professional indoor environmental investigation.

EMSL laboratories can analyze a variety of environmental samples associated with mold investigations.

Air samples can be collected to evaluate airborne fungal spores and other biological particles.

Common applications include:

Air samples are commonly collected using spore trap sampling cassettes and other recognized sampling techniques.

Surface samples can help identify fungal growth or material found on:

Sampling methods may include tape lifts, swabs or other collection techniques depending on the investigation.

Pieces of suspect building material can also be submitted directly to the laboratory for microscopic or microbiological analysis.

Examples may include:

Laboratory analysis can help identify fungal spores or structures present in submitted environmental samples.

Common fungal groups encountered in indoor environmental investigations may include:

The presence of a particular type of mold does not by itself establish a health risk. There are currently no federal regulatory limits for airborne mold or mold spores.

People searching for black mold testing in Tampa or black mold testing in St. Petersburg are often concerned about dark-colored growth found on walls, ceilings or other damp materials.

Color alone cannot reliably identify a mold species.

Laboratory analysis can help identify fungal material collected from a suspect surface or air sample.

One mold frequently associated with water-damaged building materials is Stachybotrys, but many different molds can appear dark or black.

A qualified mold professional can determine whether sampling is appropriate and develop a sampling strategy based on conditions at the property.

Mold sampling may be considered in situations involving:

A building may have a musty odor or evidence of moisture even when visible growth cannot easily be located.

The EPA notes that investigations involving suspected hidden mold can be difficult and recommends considering an experienced professional when hidden mold is suspected.

Leaks, plumbing failures, roof damage and flooding can create conditions that support microbial growth.

Home inspectors, environmental consultants, buyers, sellers and property professionals may use mold laboratory testing when additional information about a property is needed.

Samples may be collected following mold remediation as one component of evaluating whether cleanup activities were effective.

Mold investigations may also involve:

Water intrusion is one of the most important factors associated with indoor mold growth.

Following a:

affected building materials should be evaluated promptly.

EPA guidance states that drying wet or damp materials within approximately 24 to 48 hours can often help prevent mold growth.

Finding and correcting the moisture source is an important part of any mold investigation.

Home inspectors throughout Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and the surrounding Tampa Bay region can add environmental sampling to property inspections when appropriate.

Potential services may include:

Laboratory analysis provides inspectors with analytical data that can accompany their visual inspection findings.

Property managers may need laboratory support when investigating:

Testing results can become part of the overall documentation used by environmental consultants and property professionals when evaluating building conditions.

EMSL supports mold and indoor environmental testing throughout the greater Tampa Bay region, including:

Tampa
St. Petersburg
Clearwater
Brandon
Riverview
Lutz
Wesley Chapel
Temple Terrace
Plant City
Palm Harbor
Largo
Seminole
Pinellas Park
Safety Harbor
Dunedin
Tarpon Springs
Madeira Beach
Treasure Island
Gulfport
and surrounding communities throughout Hillsborough County and Pinellas County.

Professional laboratory analysis can provide documentation and identification that cannot be obtained simply by looking at a suspect surface.

Laboratory services may help environmental professionals:

The EPA recommends that when mold sampling is performed, it be conducted by professionals with experience designing sampling protocols, using appropriate sampling methods and interpreting results.

Mold testing alone does not correct a mold problem.

Any investigation should also consider the source of moisture supporting microbial growth.

Potential moisture sources include:

EPA guidance identifies moisture control as the central element of controlling indoor mold growth.

EMSL Analytical provides environmental laboratory testing services for mold inspectors, consultants, contractors, property managers and other professionals throughout Florida.

Customers can submit environmental samples for laboratory analysis and obtain analytical results to support mold and indoor environmental investigations.

For information about mold sample collection, analytical services, sampling supplies or laboratory availability, contact EMSL Analytical.

Need laboratory testing for a mold investigation in Tampa, St. Petersburg or the surrounding Tampa Bay area?

Contact EMSL Analytical for information about:

EMSL Analytical, Inc.
5406 Hoover Boulevard
Tampa, FL  33634
Phone: 813-280-8752
Email: [email protected]

Visit www.EMSL.com for laboratory locations, sampling information and additional environmental testing services.

Common indicators include visible growth, musty odors, water staining, leaks, condensation or previous water damage. The Florida Department of Health recommends investigating moisture and visible mold conditions rather than relying only on sampling.

Not necessarily. Both the EPA and Florida Department of Health state that sampling is generally unnecessary when obvious visible mold growth is already present. Testing may still be useful in certain professional investigations, such as identifying fungal material, evaluating hidden conditions or assessing areas after remediation.

A laboratory can analyze samples collected from suspect areas to identify fungal structures or organisms present. Visual color alone is not sufficient to identify a mold species.

There are currently no federal standards establishing acceptable airborne concentrations of mold or mold spores.

Moisture conditions are critical. EPA guidance recommends drying wet or damp materials within approximately 24–48 hours following a leak or spill to help prevent mold growth.

Environmental samples collected during a mold investigation can be submitted to a qualified environmental microbiology laboratory such as EMSL Analytical for analysis.