Rapid Mould Testing Kits and Laboratory Mould Analysis
IVARIO offers professional laboratory analysis or rapid mould tests (where you analyse the mould yourself).
You should take the presence of mould seriously, as it can pose serious health risks. Allergy sufferers, young children, people with weak immune systems and asthmatics are particularly susceptible to the health risks associated with mould. If you suspect you have mould in your home or already have visible mould, you should use a mould testing kit to determine whether you or your family are at risk. With IVARIO’s mould testing kits, you can test for mould in the air and on surfaces.
Tests for indoor-air mould
Analyses mould in the air with maximum efficiency. Receive a professional assessment from our laboratory experts and identify the type of mould you are dealing with. Recommended if you suspect mould in your house.
Tests for surface mould
Professional laboratory analysis of the type and severity of mould on walls and surfaces as well as the possible causes. Recommended if the mould is visible.
Tests for mould yourself
This test kit contains everything that you need to make an initial assessment of a possible mould infestation yourself. Recommended if you are looking for a cost-effective way to determine if mould is present in your home.
Professional mould testing in the UK -
Test for mould in the air and on surfaces
IVARIO’s indoor-air mould test allows you to measure the type and concentration of mould in the air – either as a home test that you carry out yourself or as a test that you send off for analysis in a laboratory. If the mould is already visible on a surface or surfaces in your home, our surface mould test works by taking a sample using a material similar to adhesive tape (equivalent to the old tape-lift test). Both tests reveal the severity of the mould present by detecting the level of contamination. The results can be used to determine the next steps you should take.
How can we support you?
Starting the process of testing your mould can be overwhelming. We're here to guide you through the mould testing process for peace of mind. Our website offers resources to help you make informed decisions. If our FAQ answers your questions differently, please message us via the IVARIO support area.
Mould represents a health risk
Mould can cause nasal congestion, respiratory infections, coughing and wheezing, and is often a cause of allergies and asthma attacks.
If you suspect mould in your environment or are concerned about your health or a family member’s, have your environment analysed using the IVARIO mould test kits. The quick and reliable results will either give you peace of mind or provide expert recommendations on the next steps to take. No prior knowledge is required.
The IVARIO mould tests are recommended by the German Tenants' Protection Association (Deutscher Mieterschutzbund). You can use the report included with our lab tests as evidence to show your landlord/property owner and your GP/specialist doctor.
Explanation of the various types of mould
Mould comes in a range of colours, and it can grow on a wide range of materials. Although the colour can provide a clue as to which type of mould you are dealing with, it is advisable to conduct a laboratory mould test to determine the precise type of mould present.
Generally, we differentiate between the following types of mould:
Black Mould
Black mould primarily forms due to very high air humidity levels. It is commonly found on windows, bathroom tiles or wallpaper near windows. However, it can also appear on walls, doors, and other places. As with all types of mould, there are several subspecies of black mould, and some of these can quickly lead to health problems, such as Aspergillus niger or Alternaria alternata. Therefore, a mould test performed in a laboratory is a good investment, whether from the air or a surface sample.
Red Mould
Red mould can come in various shades, from light pink to bright red, rusty red to rusty brown, and orange to burgundy. Red mould is often found in conjunction with black or white mould. Red mould on the wall can often look like spots of rust. In this case, it is worth arranging for a laboratory mould test to ascertain whether the red mould is the relatively harmless Neurospora crassa or a more dangerous sub-species like Fusarium.
White Mould
White mould is inconspicuous by nature. Thanks to its colour, it tends to remain hidden for a long time. It doesn't tend to develop a strong smell, so it often remains undiscovered, or you get used to the room's slight change in smell. White mould is often confused with other issues that may look similar to the untrained eye. These include efflorescence caused by salt or limescale, dry rot, or saltpetre. Again a mould test analysed in a laboratory is the best way to determine whether your indoor air contains different types of white mould or to investigate a suspicious material more closely.
Green Mould
Most people are familiar with green mould. It is often found on fruit or bread, especially in the summer when air humidity meets high temperatures, and food tends to go off more quickly. But walls, doors and windows can also be affected. The most common type of green mould is Aspergillus fumigatu, known for its mycotoxins, which can lead to allergies, lung disorders and aspergillosis. Suppose you suspect green mould in your home or can see it. In that case, we recommend carrying out a lab mould test to identify the type of mould and discuss the best ways to combat it with a specialist.
Yellow Mould
Yellow mould is often confused with dry rot but is quite different. It tends to affect soil and plants. The exception is the sub-species Geomyces pannorum, which can grow on walls, wallpaper and wood. Suppose you are still determining whether you are dealing with dry rot or yellow mould. In that case, a mould lab test kit can accurately identify the problem.
Where and why does Mould occur?
Mould grows in areas of high humidity, moisture or heat.
Mould can develop in places with insufficient insulation, high condensation, thermal bridges or thermal resistances, rooms with high moisture levels or as a result of water damage. These include:
- External walls with inadequate insulation
- Ceilings and floors where there is a difference in temperature Corners which represent complex thermal bridges
- The gaps between any furniture or textiles that retain heat
- Rooms with high moisture levels, such as bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms
- As a result of water damage
It is beneficial to conduct a mould test before renovating any areas of your house. This ensures that there are no remnants of mould infestation, which could lead to long-term issues and impact the quality of the air or the substance of the building.
Mould Test - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is it important to test for mould in your home?
Who is particularly vulnerable to the health risks associated with mould?
How can mould testing kits help determine if you or your family are at risk?
Is Mould dangerous to your health?
According to the German Federal Environment Ministry, it has been proven that children who grow up in rooms with visible mould suffer from adverse effects on the development of their health. Mould can lead to respiratory infections, coughs, wheezing and shortness of breath, and it is suspected to be a cause of bronchitis and allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Evidence also shows a correlation between mould and asthma – both in terms of the condition developing and worsening.
As mould often occurs in places suffering from dampness, illnesses caused by mould can also include symptoms such as a cough, headache or fatigue, which can have a considerable lasting impact on quality of life.
With this in mind, if you suspect mould in your home or office, you should act quickly. If the mould is visible, you should send a sample for analysis. IVARIO’s Lab Test for Walls and Surfaces involves using a strip of adhesive tape (similar to a tape-lift test) to take the mould sample. Then you simply send the sample to the laboratory for analysis and identification.
What is the difference between laboratory and self-analysis using mould testing kits?
WHY IS THE IVARIO LABORATORY ANALYSIS SO UNIQUE?
IVARIO is an established company based in Hamburg, Germany, whose mission is to address questions about healthy living spaces simply and for a reasonable price.
As a subsidiary of the renowned GBA lab group, we are part of one of the largest European networks of professional lab services focusing on life sciences. We bring this expertise to our customers' homes in easy-to-use products. Our customers receive high-quality lab analyses of their water tests, asbestos samples or mould tests in the shortest possible time. Thanks to the IVARIO test kits, anyone can quickly, easily, and cost-effectively detect hazards and risks in their environment professionally - without a degree in chemistry.
IVARIO offers:
- Easy-to-use test kits.
- No experience is required.
- Free return packaging on all testing kits.
- Fast and professional analysis by specialists in an independent laboratory.
- Detailed results are displayed conveniently online.
- Expert advice, recommendations and pre-and-post-analysis support.