Friday, May 11, 2007
Mold in a Sink Cabinet Discovered in Queens Mold Testing Investigation
Any area around plumbing may have increased risk of mold contamination. Testing inside sink cabinets is part of my routine mold inspection. Here's how I test:
- First, check for leaks by feeling under pipes and at pipe joints and valves. If a leak is found, it needs to be repaired. I also use a moisture meter to check the base of the cabinet and the rear wall behind the plumbing.
- Next, take a 3" piece of Scotch brand MultiTask tape. This can be found in any office supply store. (Do not use Magic Tape or any other type of Scotch tape. Other brands of clear, glossy tape would be ok.)
- Hold the tape at the two ends with the first and second fingers of one hand.
- Touch the center of the tape to several areas of the deck under the plumbing. Think about where water might go if there had been a past leak and touch those areas. Don't get too much debris on the tape, or the light from the microscope won't pass through it.
- Bend back one end of the tape to make a tab. Then put the tape on the outside of a plastic bag, as if you were putting a bandage on the bag.
- Put the bag in an envelope and mail it off to a microbiology lab or to a screening service. We offer such a screening service at EnviroHealth. The charge is $15 for one sample, $25 for 3, or $50 for 8. Send the envelope to 7104 Red Top Road, Hummelstown, PA 17036. Number the samples and provide a list of where the samples were from. We'll review them under the microscope and provide you with a report.
- If you are using a microbiology lab, call them first and ask how they want you to take the samples. They may send you test kits.
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]