Editor’s Note: This blog post, originally published as “What’s Included In Our Mold Test?” in April 2022, has been updated in August 2025 to better reflect our current services.
Concerned about unseen issues affecting your home’s air quality? Mold can be a silent invader, often hiding in plain sight or, more commonly, out of reach.
At U.P. Home Inspection, we provide thorough, professional mold testing services across communities like Marquette, Negaunee, Escanaba, Munising, and throughout the Upper Peninsula. We’re here to explain exactly what a professional mold test entails and how it gives you clear answers about your home’s health.
Why Professional Mold Testing Matters (and DIY Kits Don’t)
You might wonder if you can just handle a mold test yourself with a store-bought kit. The truth is, mold spores are a normal part of natural air in every home.
So, simply testing for their presence isn’t helpful; those kits will always show “positive”. The real questions are: what type of mold is present, and at what concentration?
This is where professional mold testing comes in. Any mold presence can trigger serious health conditions in susceptible individuals, ranging from runny nose, chronic cough, and frequent headaches to fatigue, anxiety, and respiratory problems like asthma. Certain molds even produce mycotoxins, which can cause severe allergic reactions and neurological symptoms.
Beyond health, mold silently damages your home by breaking down materials, weakening structures, and ruining drywall and insulation, leading to costly repairs and lingering musty odors.
Since mold often hides behind walls, in crawl spaces, or attics, professional air quality testing is often the only way to uncover hidden mold that might be causing health issues or strange odors.
Visible Mold vs. Hidden Mold: When to Test?
If you already see mold growing in your home, you likely need a qualified mold remediation professional, not a mold test. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explains that if you can see mold, there’s usually no need to test for it. You can find more information on their webpage, “Is Sampling/Testing for Mold Necessary?“
However, if you suspect hidden mold due to musty odors, unexplained health symptoms, or past water damage, but can’t see any visible growth, that’s when a professional mold test becomes essential.
(One word of caution: if you have found active mold you might be tempted to start ripping out drywall or carpeting to get rid of it. Stop! Disturbing mold will spread spores around and may make the problem worse. We suggest working with an experienced mold remediation expert, especially if there are people in your household who are sensitive to mold or have known allergies. At the very least, do some research ahead of time to learn how to safely remove mold from your home, and don’t forget the personal protective equipment!)
Types of Professional Mold Test
There are two most common types of professional mold test you should know about. The most common are:
- Air Sampling – This tests the concentration of mold spores in the air of your home. It can tell you if you have a mold problem whether or not you can see mold growing.
- Surface Sampling – This is done by swabbing household surfaces for mold. It can tell you what types of mold may be present in your home but won’t reveal the concentration in the air you breathe. However it can be useful in certain circumstances such as testing for the presence of mold in hard to reach areas such as heating ducts.
At UP Home Inspection, we test for mold using the air sampling method. This is because most people we work with are concerned primarily about air quality. Air sampling is the most accurate and direct way to determine how mold might be affecting the air quality in your home, cost effectively.
What’s Included in Our Professional Mold Test?
Our mold testing protocol includes two components: a visual walk-through inspection for mold, and the mold test itself.
How We Conduct Your U.P. Mold Test: A Step-by-Step Approach
Our mold testing process is designed to be thorough and precise. Here’s what you can expect when you schedule a mold test with U.P. Home Inspection for your home in Escanaba, Gladstone, Ishpeming, or any Delta County community:
1. Schedule Your Mold Test:
Easily book online or call us at (906) 360-3879. We can usually schedule you within a week to 10 days.
2. Professional Air Sampling:
Our certified inspector uses professional-grade equipment to collect air samples. Typically, we take two interior samples and one exterior sample for comparison. (During U.P. winters, when outdoor mold isn’t active, we may take three indoor samples instead).
The outdoor mold test provides a very helpful comparison to your indoor air; healthy indoor air will have a similar concentration of the same kinds of mold present in your outdoor air.
3. Visual Mold Inspection:
At the inspector’s discretion, we may do a visual search in areas you or we suspect mold might be hiding. However, we won’t be tearing your home apart looking for mold. As mentioned above, such practices can actually help mold to spread. In most cases, air sampling is the best way to detect hidden mold and accurately assess the air quality in your home.
4. Swab and Surface Testing (If Visible Mold is Present):
If we do find visible mold during our assessment, we may collect surface samples using sterile swabs or tape lifts. This helps provide a complete picture.
5. Laboratory Analysis:
Once he leaves your home, our mold specialist will send your samples to our licensed and accredited third-party biotechnology laboratory for precise analysis. We test for 17 different types of mold commonly found in homes, including Alternaria, Aspergillus|Penicillium, Cladosporium, and even Stachybotrys (often called “black mold”). The lab identifies specific mold types, spore concentration levels, and compares indoor levels to outdoor baselines, so you know exactly which of these mold types are present in your home and—most importantly—how much.
6. Fast Results Delivery:
You’ll receive your mold test results via email, typically within 2-4 business days. This digital report includes detailed laboratory findings, identified species, concentration levels, and recommendations.
7. Expert Consultation:
Your Certified Master Inspector® remains available by phone to discuss your results and answer any questions you have about your mold testing findings.
The on-site portion of your mold test typically takes 30-60 minutes, depending on the size of your home and the number of areas being sampled.
If You Really Want to Know What’s In Your Air: Mold Test Plus Airborne Particulate Testing
Mold isn’t the only thing in your indoor air that can affect your health. Another big culprit is airborne particulates. These are small particles and allergens that are often found floating in the air in your home.
Types of airborne particulate that often cause health issues include:
- Dander
- Pollen
- Soot
- Synthetic fibers
- Fiberflass
- Insect parts
For an additional fee, our enhanced package tests for 22 common airborne particulates and allergens, including pollen, dander, dust mites, soot, synthetic fibers, and fiberglass. This is ideal for families with allergies, asthma, or unexplained respiratory symptoms seeking a comprehensive air quality assessment.
Why Choose U.P. Home Inspection for Your Mold Testing Needs
When it comes to something as vital as your family’s health and your home’s integrity, choosing the right professionals for your mold test is crucial.
What sets us apart? Glad you asked!
• Certified Master Inspector® Leadership:
Our team is led by Rich Beasley, a Certified Master Inspector® (CMI®). This is the inspection industry’s highest professional credential in both the United States and Canada, held by less than 1% of inspectors nationwide. To qualify, an inspector must complete at least 1,000 fee-paid inspections and/or hours of education (combined) and have been in the business for at least three years. This expertise ensures a truly thorough assessment.
• Specialized training in mold testing and indoor air quality assessment:
Beyond general inspection, our team holds InterNACHI certifications specifically for mold inspection and indoor air quality assessment. Rich Beasley, as a Certified Master Inspector®, has additional specialty certifications as a Mold Inspector and an Indoor Air Consultant, ensuring he understands the unique challenges of detecting and assessing mold and airborne particulates in U.P. homes. Our Certified Professional Inspector Anne (Ona) Martin has also earned her Mold Inspector certification. InterNACHI is widely recognized as the world’s leading association for home inspectors, reflecting our commitment to the highest standards.
• Local Upper Peninsula Expertise:
As decades-long Yoopers, we deeply understand the unique environmental challenges facing U.P. homes. Harsh U.P. winters, spring thaws, and Lake Michigan humidity create ideal conditions for mold growth. Many homes in Escanaba, Negaunee, and Ishpeming were built decades ago before modern moisture control standards, often featuring stone or brick foundations that wick moisture, limited vapor barriers, and older HVAC systems that don’t control humidity well. Our experience means we know the common trouble spots, like basements with older foundations, crawl spaces with poor airflow, bathrooms with weak exhaust fans, kitchens with steam issues, and attics where ice dams form.
• Unbiased, Independent Testing:
We are a disinterested third party. We do not offer mold remediation or construction services, meaning we have no financial incentive to find problems that don’t exist. Our sole goal is to provide accurate, honest results you can trust.
• Fast, Reliable Results:
We pride ourselves on efficiency. Mold test results are typically available within 2-4 business days. This means you get answers when you need them to make informed decisions.
• Proven Track Record:
U.P. Home Inspection has been the fastest-growing home inspection company in the U.P., growing an average of 30% year over year since 2019. In 2024 alone, we completed upwards of 10% of all home inspections in the Upper Peninsula. Our growth is a testament to the trust our clients place in our comprehensive services and people-centered approach
Ready to Schedule Your Mold Test?
If you are concerned about mold in your home, there’s no better time to schedule a mold test than now. Don’t let household mold compromise your family’s health or your home’s structural integrity. Professional mold testing is an investment in your family’s health and your property’s value, allowing for early detection and targeted treatment before extensive damage occurs.
Take action today! Call (906) 360-3879 now to speak directly with our Certified Master Inspector®, Rich Beasley, about your mold testing needs, or use our convenient online scheduling system to book your professional mold test appointment.
Whether you’re in downtown Escanaba, the Ludington Park area, Gladstone, Marquette, Negaunee, Ishpeming, Munising, Gwinn, or anywhere throughout Delta County, Alger County, Schoolcraft County, or Marquette County, our team is ready to provide the professional mold testing and home inspection services you deserve.
Rich Beasley leads U.P. Home Inspection, LLC as a Certified Master Inspector® with deep roots in Upper Peninsula construction needs. In 2025, Rich earned the prestigious CMI® designation from the Master Inspector Certification Board, reflecting our team’s dedication to experience, education, and the highest industry standards.
Get Your FREE Mold Prevention Guide
Worried about mold in your U.P. home? Our comprehensive guide “Spotting Mold in Your Home: A Practical Guide for U.P. Homeowners” gives you everything you need to protect your family and property.
Inside you’ll discover:
- Where mold hides in Upper Peninsula homes
- How to spot early warning signs before problems spread
- Simple prevention steps that cost pennies vs. thousands in cleanup
- When to call professionals (and when you can handle it yourself)
Created by Rich Beasley, Certified Master Inspector®, this guide is packed with local expertise you won’t find anywhere else.
Download Your Free Guide Here (no email required)→
Serving Marquette, Escanaba, Munising, Negaunee, and communities throughout the central and western U.P.
