The DIY MoldCheck Test Kit allows you to detect potentially hazardous mold growth in your home or office. This mold test kit is pricier than most other mold detectors we tested, but it comes with ten kits, allowing you to sample multiple areas in your home. This lets you pinpoint specific rooms that have mold problems, and gives you a better idea of what is causing it.
To test mold in your house or office, you open one of the sample sheets and set it in a room for one hour. This method allows you to test the air in your home for mold. After the hour is up, you spread a growth agar, or growth hormone, on the sheet and fold the cover over the liquid.
Another test method allows you to forgo the air-sample technique by swabbing visual mold growth onto one of the sheets. After the incubation period of three or four days, you check the samples and see if mold is growing. You can use these sheets to determine which rooms have the worst problems.
Most of the top test kits allow you to test air conditioning units, but this one doesn't, which is unfortunate as this is one of the most common areas for mold to grow and spread. This mold detector only shows if mold is present in your house, so you won't be able to immediately discover if the mold is dangerous, like black mold. If you find mold growth on this test, you'll want to consider sending a sample to get a lab analysis, which costs extra. However, taking samples from multiple rooms gives you the option to present the samples to a mold-removal specialist, giving them a better idea of how to handle your mold problem.
Unfortunately, MoldCheck's laboratory lacks the qualifications we look for, particularly the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) certification. Many mold-removal specialists do not accept a report unless it comes from an AIHA-accredited lab. Luckily, MoldCheck has a fast turnaround time, getting a report back to you six days after receiving the sample sheets. This is one of the faster services out there, but sadly the lack of accreditation is an issue.
MoldCheck's best feature is its customer service. Before you use your mold test kit, you can read FAQs and watch tutorial videos to learn more about how to test for mold. Customer service is available by email and telephone, before and after you receive your report.
Should you buy the DIY MoldCheck Test kit?
The DIY MoldCheck Test Kit is a useful do-it-yourself mold test kit because it helps you find the exact room with a mold problem. The fact that it comes with ten tests means you're only paying about $5 per test, which is good value. However, because the mycology laboratory is not AIHA-certified most mold removal companies will not accept their report when assessing repairs to your property.
