Indoor Wellness Assessments

1. PRE-ASSESSMENT: Every assessment starts by gathering information about your issues, concerns and goals. This includes anything you can tell us about the moisture history of the building, including leaks and spills, as well as other things like visible damage and strange odors. These are all clues that can help us identify the problems.

2. VISUAL ASSESSMENT: The next step is a thorough sweep of the structure. We use specialized instruments including FLIR infrared cameras and moisture meters where necessary. We also take Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC), Particulate Matter (PM), and temperature & humidity readings.

3. SAMPLING: After the visual assessment we will create a custom sampling plan that includes DNA based testing along with viable testing and bulk testing. These samples will be collected and submitted to the appropriate laboratory.

Sampling types: 

  MOLD/FUNGI

• “Direct Exam” refers to samples that are read under a microscope to identify and quantify the genus (family) of molds present. Spore trap air samples capture fungal spores present in the air. Surface samples (tape, swab or bulk) are collected directly from a surface containing suspect visible mold to identify the genus of molds present and whether they are growing on that surface. This type of sampling is used to assess suspect mold sources. 
• “MSQPCR sampling” (ERMI, HERTSMI-2, Fungi10) is a DNA-based method for quantifying mold species commonly found in water damaged buildings. This is the same technology used for Covid testing. This type of sampling typically represents a “historic view” of what may be occurring on/in the property. 
• “Culturable Samples” are samples that collect mold spores and grow what is viable (alive). This type of sampling gives a broad view of the biological condition of the property, as it includes a much larger list of mold species than MSQPCR (examples include excessive bacteria, candida, nocardia, etc.). 

BACTERIA

• “Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)” is a high-throughput technology that rapidly sequences DNA, allowing for comprehensive analysis of genetic material from gram-positive Actinomycetes to identify and characterize their genomes.This type of sampling typically represents a “historic view” of what may be occurring on/in the property. 
• “Kinetic LAL Assay” is a test that measures the presence and concentration of endotoxins, which are components of gram-negative (endotoxins) bacteria, by detecting changes in the optical density of a sample as a clotting reaction occurs. This type of sampling typically represents a “historic view” of what may be occurring on/in the property

4. ASSESSMENT REPORT: Once we receive the lab results, we’ll put together a report that contains pictures and descriptions of the issues, interpretation of lab results and recommendations for each identified issue. This includes a mold remediation protocol, if applicable. There is a two-week turnaround time for the report. The remediation process and other corrections can take weeks or even months. Please keep this in mind when making decisions.

5. FOLLOW-UP CONSULT: We include a 1-hour follow-up session to review the report, answer any questions that you have and ensure that you have a firm understanding of our findings and next steps.

Note: We recommend writing down any questions that you think of prior to this meeting. 

• Turning off any portable HEPA Air Filtration/Purification Devices 
• Keep your home closed for at least 24 hours (you can enter/leave your home, please close any doors/windows afterwards) 

• We recommend that you do not perform any cleaning activities for at least 2 weeks prior to the assessment (MSPQCR sampling requires some amount of dust). 

• Do not disturb what you think may be visible mold.  

• If excessive personal items/boxes are against walls, please try to relocate to allow us to better visually assess these areas.  

• If possible and applicable, provide physical access to the HVAC evaporator coil so that we can visually assess and potentially sample this area. This may require hiring a local HVAC company to provide access. 

• If possible, please be onsite during our assessment to answer any questions we may have. A typical assessment takes between 2-4 hours. 

• If you need to reschedule, please give us at least 24 hours to avoid any related cancellation fees. 

Once your assessment has been conducted, please contact your technician directly with any questions specific to the project. Email is the preferred method of contact. We will make every effort to get back to you within 24 hours. Please note that the majority of your questions will be answered during the report consultation to be scheduled once you receive your report.  

Quite possibly! Environmentally Acquired Illness (EAI) is both real and common. The most common environmentally related issue is mold & bacteria contamination, but VOCs, particulate matter, EMFs, radon, and even carbon monoxide are possible issues as well. Rest assured, we are here to help determine if your home is safe.

We can send an experienced indoor wellness inspector to perform an inspection, collecting samples of any suspect materials.

The answer to this question depends on your objectives and budget. Often, the sellers of a home will do the absolute minimum assessment (typically focused on mold only) to prevent the buyer from backing out of the purchase. Although this is the cheapest option, it is not in the best interest of the new residents. The best way to determine if harmful environmental conditions exist is to have a qualified Indoor Environmental Professional perform an assessment of the property, with emphasis placed on mold, bacteria, VOCs, and particulate matter. If renovations are to be performed, consider inspections for the presence of asbestos and lead paint.

Finally, if your budget or time does not allow a proper in-person assessment, AirWell recommends a virtual consultation to guide with your own assessment of the home and DIY sampling.

For DIY mold testing with some guidance, consider performing mold testing through ImmunoLytics.

Note: Patients diagnosed or suspected to have CIRS-WBD, will require Mold Specific Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (MSQPCR) sampling (“ERMI,” “HERTSMI-2”).

1. If your home was built prior to 1978, a lead paint inspection should be performed in any area that is to be disturbed (e.g., remodel, window replacement, painting preparation, etc.).
2. If your home was built prior to 1980, an asbestos inspection should be performed in any area that is to be disturbed (e.g., remodeling, window replacement, painting preparation, etc.).
3. If any visible mold or bacteria growth is found during a renovation, remodeling, or remediation, all activities should stop, and the growth should be contained to prevent contaminating other areas of the residence. An assessment of the area will likely be necessary to develop the appropriate remediation plan.

The best way to determine if you have elevated mold levels in your home is to have an on-site mold inspector perform a visual inspection, an InfraRed & moisture meter assessment for active water leaks, and collect samples to determine the current mold levels. AirWell Indoor Environmental Professionals are qualified to perform these assessments. 

Finally, if your budget or time does not allow a proper in-person assessment, AirWell recommends a virtual consultation to guide with your own assessment of the home and DIY sampling.

For DIY mold testing without guidance, consider performing mold testing through ImmunoLytics.

Note: Patients diagnosed or suspected to have CIRS-WBD, will require Mold Specific Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (MSQPCR) sampling (“ERMI,” “HERTSMI-2”).

ERMI, HERTSMI-2 or PCR refers to a methodology called mold-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (MSQPCR), a highly specific DNA-based method for quantifying mold species. Yes, this is the same PCR technology used for Covid testing. Environmental Relative Moldiness index (ERMI) was developed by the EPA as a research tool to investigate mold contamination in homes and quantify 36 mold species for comparison with a database of reference homes. HERTSMI-2 uses MSQPCR to quantify 5 mold species and is designed to help patients understand if a given building is safe for occupancy. All ERMI samples also include HERTSMI-2 scoring. 

We are happy to conduct these samples upon request, however, we do not offer them as part of our menu of services and we cannot interpret them for you. There are a couple of reasons for this. For one, they are not going to change the game plan for remediation. When we find mold and water damage, we assume that these other contaminants are also present to some degree. The remediation plan will address them as well. Secondly, these samples are quite expensive and knowledge about how to interpret them is extremely limited. There are also questions about the accuracy of the new technology used to analyze them. This is why we cannot offer interpretation and why we do not believe they are worth spending money on.  

No. Mold removal or “remediation” should be conducted by a separate company. Doing both is a conflict of interest and is illegal in Texas. 

While time constraints and safety issues do not allow us to do a comprehensive crawlspace assessment, we will inspect as best we can at the access points and check for excess moisture, visible mold and other issues. For mold-sensitive individuals, crawlspaces almost always present an issue. Recommendations such as crawlspace encapsulation or ventilation are commonly given. Also, moisture issues that have potentially damaged the subfloor can most likely be identified from the interior. Remediation companies have the capability to conduct a more thorough crawlspace assessment and we will work directly with them to establish a suitable scope of work. 

Yes. To ensure the safety of our technicians, our policy is to remain on decked areas. Our main objectives will be to scan for roof damage and other issues, as well as check HVAC units that are located in the attic. 

Because one must be a licensed HVAC professional in order to open a system, we are limited in what we can assess. We assess the vents, return plenums where accessible, as well as the exterior of the air handler and supply plenums where accessible. We commonly find visible mold and/or moisture issues that will trigger us to recommend follow-up by a licensed HVAC professional.  

The decision on whether to keep each item depends on its value, history, and material. Non porous (“hard items” like finished wood, for example) items or new items are usually ok to reintroduce to your home early on, after cleaning. Porous items (books, unfinished furniture) need a more detailed approach. If extensive remediation/cleaning is needed, it may be best to store a majority of your contents elsewhere, then slowly re-introduce items to home (a staged re-entry), if possible. We can guide you through this process.

Most in-person assessments take 2–4 hours depending on home size and scope. Virtual assessments typically run 1–2 hours. Lab analysis and your written report are usually delivered within 5–7 business days.

Pricing varies by scope and assessment type. Call us at (888) 541-8551 or visit our Pricing & Scheduling page for current rates and packages.

AirWell provides in-person assessments across the continental United States, with virtual assessments available nationwide. Contact us to confirm availability in your area.