What Every Arkansas Homeowner Should Know Before Testing for Mold
If you suspect mold in your home, you may wonder: how accurate is a visual mold inspection? Can you trust the results? Will an inspector find mold if it is hiding behind walls or under floors?
At K9 Mold Inspections LLC, we believe this is an important question to ask.
The truth is not all mold inspections are created equal. The accuracy of a mold inspection depends heavily on the methods used, the experience of the inspector, and whether hidden mold is involved.
Let’s break it down.
What Is a Mold Inspection?
A visual mold inspection is a professional evaluation of your property to determine whether water intrusion has occurred, mold is present, where mold is located, and how severe the mold growth may be. This typically includes:
- A visual inspection
- Moisture readings
- The use of an infrared camera
- Possible testing for mold (air and surface sampling)
- Possible exploration of wall cavities
Factors That Affect Mold Inspection Accuracy
1. The Inspection Method
- Visual Inspections rely on spotting visible signs of water intrusion. Without signs of water intrusion, visual inspections may miss mold hidden inside walls, under flooring, or inside HVAC systems .
- Moisture meters are a valuable tool in measuring moisture levels of surfaces. However, moisture meters are unable to detect the presence of dormant mold, which is also a health hazard.
- Infrared cameras help detect active water intrusion. However, there are limitations to infrared camera abilities. They cannot read all surfaces and also will not detect dormant mold.
- Air Sampling collects samples of indoor and outdoor air. The test uses outdoor air as a benchmark to gauge indoor air contamination. Air sampling can give false negatives due to the limited amount of indoor air tested and outdoor conditions during sampling.
- Surface Sampling (swabbing/tape lifts) is a valuable test. However, these are limited to locations with visible mold.
- Wall Cavity Searches are exploratory. They often require drilling or cutting holes into walls. Of course, this may introduce more mold spores and mycotoxins into the living area. Drilling and cutting will also require wall repairs.
2. Inspector Experience
Even the best tools are only as good as the person using them. An experienced inspector understands:
- Building construction and airflow
- Where mold typically hides in Arkansas homes
- How to interpret data correctly
3. Environmental Conditions
Humidity, recent rainfall, and other factors can influence the ability of an inspector to locate mold in your home.
Why We Trust Canine Mold Detection for Accuracy
At K9 Mold Inspections LLC, we use a specially trained dog that can detect the scent of mold even when it’s hidden or dormant. Like a narcotics dog that can detect a hidden substance — our dog is trained to locate mold that even professional tools might miss.
Our inspections are:
- Non-invasive (no drilling or cutting)
- Highly accurate
- Unbiased — we don’t do mold remediation, so we have no incentive to “find something” that’s not there.
And because our dog alerts with precision, we can pinpoint where mold is hiding, which saves you time, stress, and money during the remediation process.
So, How Accurate Is a Mold Inspection?
Here’s the bottom line:
The most accurate inspections combine knowledgeable professionals with advanced detection methods — like canine scent detection.
When Accuracy Matters Most
Mold inspections are especially important if:
- You’ve had leaks, floods, or high humidity
- You’re experiencing unexplained health symptoms (fatigue, respiratory issues, sinus problems)
- You’re buying or selling a home
- You want to verify that remediation was successful
If any of these apply to you, don’t settle for a basic visual check — get answers you can trust.
Serving Central Arkansas with Confidence
At K9 Mold Inspections LLC, we provide accurate, affordable mold inspections across Little Rock, Benton, Bryant, Conway, Hot Springs, and throughout Arkansas. Whether you are concerned about a musty smell or need post-remediation verification, our team (and our four-legged expert) are here to help.
Have questions about mold detection accuracy? Reach out! We are happy to explain the process or recommend the best inspection approach for your situation.