Understand the Concern
Begining with what you've observed, relevant building history, and any other available information.
Mold Investigations
Understand what's growing and why.
Visible growth, staining, unusual odors, water intrusion, or persistent moisture can all raise questions about conditions inside a building.
A mold investigation looks beyond the visible growth to understand the conditions surrounding it and help establish what's happening, what may be contributing to it, and what should happen next.
Start With the Condition
Mold is often a symptom of a larger story.
Finding mold is something important.
But it doesn't necessarily say why it's there.
Water intrusion, elevated humidity, condensation, plumbing failures, building-envelope conditions, and previous water intrusions can all contribute to environments where mold can grow.
Finding mold isn't the end of the investigation. Understanding why it's there is what makes the findings useful.
Not sure what you're looking at?
Describe what you've observed, where you're seeing it, and anything you know about the building or its recent history.
The IES Approach
Follow the evidence.
An effective investigation begins with the concern and not a predeveloped testing plan. The questions surrounding the condition help focus the investigation on what matters.
Observe the Conditions
Affected areas are evaluated for visible conditions, moisture indicators, and any other relevant observations.
Measure & Verify
Environmental measurements and representative samples may be collected when they can help answer a specific question.
Connect the Findings
Observations, measurements, building conditions, and laboratory results are all considered together to help explain what's happening.
What to Look At
The surrounding conditions matter.
Depending on the concern, an investigation may consider:
Visible Conditions
Discoloration, suspected microbial growth, staining, damaged materials, and other observable conditions.
Moisture
Material moisture, signs of water intrusion, plumbing related conditions, and evidence of current or previous intrusions.
Temperature & Humidity
Environmental conditions that may contribute to condensation or microbial growth.
Building & HVAC Conditions
Air movement and the duct work, mechanical systems, and building characteristics relevant to the issue.
Building History
Previous leaks, flooding, repairs, renovations, recurring conditions, and other information that may help.
Every investigation is different. The appropriate observations, measurements, and sampling strategy depend on the building and the question to answer.
Sampling With a Purpose
A sample will give us the answers we need...
Mold investigations are sometimes reduced to collecting a sample and waiting for a laboratory report.
Depending on the investigation, lift samples and air samples can be collected to characterize the type of mold. The field observations and moisture findings may also help provide more details.
Always keeping service principles in mind...
Observe the condition.
Measure what matters.
Sample with a purpose.
Interpret everything together.
From Symptom to Source
Moisture changes the investigation.
If mold growth is present, addressing the visible material without understanding the moisture condition can leave the underlying problem unresolved.
Where?
Where is the moisture coming from?
When?
Is the condition active or historical?
What?
What materials have been affected?
How Far?
Are surrounding areas showing related conditions?
What Next?
What needs to change to reduce the likelihood of recurrence?
The goal isn't simply to document what's growing but to understand the conditions that allowed it to grow in the first place.
What You Receive
Findings with context.
An IES mold investigation is designed to bring the available information together into a clear explanation of the conditions evaluated and what was found.
Investigation Scope
The concern evaluated and areas included in the investigation.
Field Observations
Relevant visible conditions, building characteristics, and environmental observations.
Moisture & Environmental Data
Measurements collected to help characterize conditions within the building.
Photographic Documentation
Images providing useful context for observed conditions and areas of concern.
Laboratory Results
Analytical results when sampling is appropriate to the investigation.
Interpretation & Recommendations
A clear explanation of the findings and practical information for determining appropriate next steps.
When an Investigation May Be Useful
Sometimes the first sign is simply that something isn't right.
Visible or suspected growth
Discoloration or material conditions raise questions about possible microbial growth.
Musty or unusual odors
An odor persists even when an obvious source isn't visible.
Water intrusion or leaks
A roof, plumbing, exterior, or other water event has affected building materials.
Recurring moisture
Condensation, elevated humidity, or damp materials continue to appear.
After remediation or repairs
Additional information is needed to understand conditions following corrective work.
Unexplained indoor conditions
Something about an area warrants further investigation even though the source isn't immediately apparent.
After the Investigation
The findings should explain the building and it's relation to the sample.
Sometimes an investigation identifies a moisture related condition.
Sometimes the evidence points toward a broader building issue.
And sometimes observations or laboratory results help rule out one suspected explanation and direct attention somewhere else.
Whatever the outcome, the purpose is to bring the available evidence together into a clear understanding of the condition.
The goal is not to find a predetermined answer.
The goal is to follow the evidence where it leads.
Something doesn't look or feel right?
You don't need to diagnose the building before contacting. Describe what you've noticed, where it's happening, and anything you know about the property's history.
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Mold, Moisture & the Indoor Environment
Why visible mold is often only one part of understanding a moisture-related building condition.