Help - how do I test for mold?

[sheepstache]

This is actually a question for work but helping me show a good face at work would be helping further my mustachian goals :)

Everyone says this room smells moldy so all I have to do is show, if I can, that it's due to mold, or find some compelling evidence or argument that we should have a professional in.  I think my boss just needs to justify the cost of having the professional in. 

Any suggestions?  Obviously, just naked eye investigations of under the carpet, etc., haven't revealed anything.

[StarswirlTheMustached]

A spore sucker! Vacuum air over cello tape, look at the cello tape under a microscope. Have a reference handy to ID spores. I'm not sure if this is the professional test. I read about the technique in "Air: The Restless Shaper of the World" by William Bryant Logan

[Vilx-]

If everyone can smell it, then the buildup should be quite visible. Are you sure that you've looked EVERYWHERE?

Mold likes damp places with little air movement, so it's most likely in the places that are hardest to get to. You should look in the places that haven't been touched in a long time. Narrow spaces between furniture and a wall (especially if it's the outer wall) are prime places. Drawers that haven't been opened for a while (don't forget to check the bottoms of the drawer and inside the cabinet itself). Etc. If it's hard to get to - check it out.

Added: Also, a mustachian way of getting rid of the mold - wash it with vinegar! It's cheap, ecological, and kills off mold quite well. It doesn't leave a protective coating or anything though. After you've washed it off, you still need to make sure that the place gets plenty of ventilation in the future, or the mold will return in a while. Just don't forget to wear rubber gloves while handling the vinegar, or your skin will be quite unhappy for a week or two (I speak of experience :P)

[jrs]

Read the PDF "A regional comparison of mold spore concentrations outdoors and inside "Clean" and "Mold Contaminated" buildings in southern California".  interesting part starts on page 10, Sample Collection Procedure. 

[ChristopherPhilip]

Most people confuse musty smell with mould (moisture causes mould).  If you can't find visible mould such as black, red, green, etc. growing on the outside of surfaces and you can't find a lot of evidence of high moisture such as wet walls or punky drywall, carpet, etc. then it's probably not serious.  The rule is if you aren't breathing a lot of spores, it's not a big deal, UNLESS you are specifically allergic to mould which a minority of people are.

I have over 10 years of reno experience and have seen my share of mould issues and most of them where hyped.  Mould spores are EVERYWHERE we go, it's the concentration that's the issue.