Black Mold Testing in Palm Beach County
Dark staining is not a species ID. Dirt, mildew, and old paint look black too. We sample when you need the lab to name Stachybotrys or another genus, then write a report you can hand to a remediator or an insurer.
- Accredited lab species ID
- FL Mold Assessor MRSA2139
- Samples only when they change the decision
- Independent. No cleanup quote.
“Brad took his time and did a very complete job and answered all my questions. he was very clear what has to be done and what not to worry about. He continued to answer my questions after the report was issued in a professional and helpful way”
Allen O., Mar 2016
When this call happens
- Someone said black mold after looking at a stain in a closet or on an AC supply
- A listing, HOA, or daycare asked for Stachybotrys in writing
- You have a musty odor, no obvious leak, and a search result that scared you
- A prior cleanup was painted over and you want to know if the cavity is still a problem
- Health questions in the house and you want indoor air compared to outdoor air
What black mold testing actually is
- Stop treating color as a diagnosis
Stachybotrys chartarum can look dark and sooty. So can dirt on a supply grille and mildew on a shower wall. Species comes from the lab, not from a flashlight.
- Find the water first
Stachybotrys needs sustained moisture, often cellulose that stayed wet. Moisture mapping and the HVAC check decide whether a sample is even useful.
- Surface sample on a specific spot
Tape lift or swab on the stain you called about, when you need that spot identified.
- Air samples with an outdoor control
Indoor spore traps compared to outdoor air so a South Florida afternoon is not called an indoor Stachybotrys event by itself.
- A report that names the genus and the moisture source
If the lab finds Stachybotrys, the file still has to say why it is there and what has to dry or come out. A species name without a source is not a scope.
What “black mold” means on this job
People use the phrase for any dark spot in a Florida house. The lab uses genus names. Stachybotrys is one of them. Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, and Chaetomium show up in this climate too, often from AC condensate, attic ducts, or a slow roof leak.
We have been inspecting Palm Beach County housing since 2009. The useful answer is almost never “yes it is black mold.” It is whether the material is still wet, what has to be dried or removed, and whether a sample belongs in the file.
If you already have a photo and an address, call (561) 407-6800. We will tell you if this is a visual moisture job, a lab job, or both.
Methods
- Tape lifts and swabs for visible or suspected growth
- Spore trap air cassettes with outdoor controls
- Cavity / interstitial air when meters point behind a wall
- AIHA-accredited laboratory microscopy
- No hardware-store kits. Those cannot map moisture or produce a chain of custody
FAQ
Questions people ask before they book
Do you test for black mold?
Yes. Labs identify Stachybotrys and other species from air or surface samples. Color on a wall is not a species ID.
Is black mold more dangerous than other mold?
Some species, including Stachybotrys, get more attention in news stories. Any indoor growth with a moisture source is a building problem. We do not diagnose illness. If you have health questions, talk to a physician and use the lab report as environmental data, not a medical test.
Can you tell from a photo if it is Stachybotrys?
No. A photo can tell us whether a visit is warranted. It cannot name a genus.
Do I always need air samples if I see black staining?
No. If the source is a wet AC closet and the material has to come out anyway, sampling may not change the scope. We sample when a buyer, HOA, insurer, or clearance protocol needs the name.
Will you remove the black mold?
No. Florida lets a company inspect or remediate, not both on the same job without a conflict. We test. You hire a remediator with the report.
How fast are results?
On-site briefing the same visit. Lab 1-2 business days unless you pay for rush. Written report follows the lab.
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Call a licensed Florida mold assessor. Independent testing only. No remediation sales pitch.