Our warranty at a glance
Warranty call goes to Michael Bass personally. (385) 247-9359.
2020
Mold Inspection and Testing in South Jordan
If you can see mold or smell it, you probably have it. The question is how much, where, and what to do about it. True Day inspects to ANSI/IICRC S520 standards, writes a documented report, and remediates when the scope calls for it.
When Mold Inspection Is Worth It
Not every mold situation needs a formal inspection. Here is our honest framework:When to Call Us
- Visible mold over 10 square feet — EPA guidance says anything over 10 sq ft of visible growth needs professional remediation
- Hidden mold suspected — musty smell, no visible growth, water event in the last 6 months
- Pre-purchase or pre-sale — buyer or seller wants documentation of mold status
- Post-water-damage verification — a restoration job finished and you want independent confirmation it is actually dry
- Immunocompromised occupant — anyone in the home with asthma, allergies, or compromised immunity benefits from documented verification
- Insurance carrier requested it — some carriers require clearance testing before releasing final payment
When You May Not Need an Inspection
- Under 10 sq ft of visible mold, no occupant health concerns — EPA guidance supports DIY remediation with proper PPE for small jobs. You see the mold, you remove the moldy material, you fix the moisture source. No test needed to confirm what you can see.
- Small bathroom shower-grout mold — this is not building-envelope mold, it is a cleaning issue
- Short-term condensation on windows — a humidity issue, not a mold event
The Standard We Follow — ANSI/IICRC S520
Mold remediation in the United States has an industry standard: ANSI/IICRC S520, published by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification. Every True Day mold inspection and remediation project follows S520 protocols.Our Inspection Scope
A True Day mold inspection follows a documented protocol regardless of what prompted the call:- Visual inspection of every room including HVAC vents, under sinks, behind toilets, around tub surrounds, laundry hookups, water heater area, basement perimeter, attic access
- Moisture mapping with FLIR thermal imaging and calibrated pinless moisture meters to identify active moisture that could sustain growth
- Mold growth photo documentation at every point of visible or suspected growth
- Air sampling (optional) for spore trap testing when hidden growth is suspected or clearance verification is needed. Samples sent to an accredited lab — see pricing table below.
- Species identification for suspected toxigenic species (Stachybotrys, Chaetomium) via lab testing when visible growth warrants it
- Written report with condition classification per S520, moisture map, photos, lab results if applicable, and a recommended scope of work
What a True Day Mold Report Contains
- Date of inspection and inspector name
- Property address and areas inspected
- S520 condition classification for each affected area (Condition 1, 2, or 3)
- Visual documentation photos of all visible growth
- Moisture meter readings at every suspected point
- FLIR thermal imaging screen captures of suspected hidden growth zones
- Lab results for any air samples or bulk samples taken (if applicable)
- Species identification where lab testing was performed
- Health considerations noted (immunocompromised occupants, children, elderly)
- Recommended scope of work with Xactimate line items for remediation
- Estimated materials cost, labor hours, and project duration
- True Day signature, Utah Contractor License #960332-3505, IICRC Firm #927354-5258
Why We Do Not Do Clearance Testing on Our Own Jobs
If True Day remediates mold at your property, we do not then perform the post-remediation clearance test ourselves. That is a conflict of interest and most reputable firms refuse to do both. We refer clearance testing to independent Indoor Environmental Professionals (IEPs) with no financial relationship to True Day. We can recommend several Utah-based IEPs on request. Independent clearance protects you — if the remediation did not work, you want an independent party to say so.Transparent Pricing
What Mold Inspection Costs in South Jordan
| Service | Range | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Initial assessment call | Free | Phone discussion of symptoms, history, and whether a paid inspection is worth it. |
| Visual-only mold inspection | $200 – $400 | Walk-through visual inspection, moisture mapping, written report. No lab testing. |
| Visual + air sampling (2 samples) | $450 – $750 | Visual inspection + 1 affected-area sample + 1 outdoor baseline. Includes lab fees. |
| Comprehensive (visual + 3-5 samples) | $750 – $1,350 | Full-property inspection with multiple sampling points. Suitable for pre-purchase/pre-sale. |
| Mold remediation (under 100 sq ft) | $1,500 – $4,500 | Containment, physical removal, HEPA scrubbing, antimicrobial treatment. Billed via Xactimate on covered claims. |
| Mold remediation (100-500 sq ft) | $4,500 – $12,000 | Full S520 protocol including negative-air containment and clearance coordination. |
| Mold remediation (over 500 sq ft) | By scope | Written Xactimate estimate before work begins. |
Many homeowner insurance policies have a mold cap of $5,000-$10,000 unless you have a mold rider. We flag likely coverage gaps during the initial inspection so you know what to expect.
Health, Honestly Stated
Not every mold exposure causes illness. Most do not. But some species (Stachybotrys chartarum, Chaetomium globosum) produce mycotoxins that cause respiratory issues, especially in immunocompromised individuals and children. If anyone in the home has asthma, chronic respiratory issues, immunosuppression, or ongoing unexplained symptoms, a documented mold inspection is a reasonable precaution. True Day inspectors are not medical professionals and do not diagnose health effects. We identify the mold, document the extent, and remediate to industry standards. Health questions go to your physician.Financing Available
Mold remediation often exceeds the insurance coverage cap. For out-of-pocket work, True Day offers Wisetack financing — soft credit check, decisions in seconds, 0% APR options for qualified borrowers.Call for a free initial assessment. We will tell you honestly whether a paid inspection is worth it.
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What True Day guarantees on every job
Why 24–48 hours matters — what mold is actually doing after a water event
Everyone says “call fast or you’ll get mold.” Here is what is actually happening on the wall behind the clock.
Spore activation
Mold spores exist on virtually every surface, including yours before any water event. They are inert until they meet moisture plus organic material (paper backing on drywall, cardboard, cotton fiber). In the first 24 hours on a wet substrate, dormant spores begin to germinate.
Germination to hyphae
Germinated spores push out hyphae — the thread-like roots of a colony. Still invisible to the naked eye. This is the window we aim to beat with aggressive drying — you can stop the loss from becoming a mold job if the material gets below the moisture threshold before colonies form.
Visible colony formation
Hyphae mature into visible colonies. You start to see discoloration: fuzzy black, green, or white patches on drywall seams, under baseboard, on the back of cabinets, inside affected insulation. Colonies release new spores — the loss is now actively spreading.
Mature biomass
Established colonies produce biomass compounds (including mycotoxins in some species). Remediation scope increases significantly at this point — affected porous materials must be removed and disposed, not cleaned in place. This is the inflection point between a drying job and a mold-remediation job.
Honest footer: not every water event becomes a mold job. A fast dry (within 24–48 hours), low ambient humidity, or materials that don’t support biological growth (sealed hardwood, tile) can stop the clock. Call us — if the honest answer is “you don’t need remediation, you need a dehumidifier for three days,” that’s what we’ll tell you.
Do I need True Day — or can I handle this myself?
Six real homeowner scenarios, routed honestly. When the answer is “clean it yourself,” we say so.
Visible mold under 10 sqft on a non-structural surface (tub caulk, window frame, bathroom grout)
Known cause, dry environment, no respiratory symptoms.
Visible mold under 10 sqft on a structural surface (drywall, framing, subfloor)
Or any size on a surface where the cause is not obvious.
Visible mold over 10 sqft on any surface
IICRC S520 Condition 3 — requires containment and controlled removal.
Visible mold + respiratory symptoms in occupants
Especially sensitive occupants: children, pregnant, immunocompromised, asthmatic.
No visible mold, but musty smell concentrated in one area
Hidden saturation or hidden growth. FLIR + moisture meter investigation.
No visible mold, no symptoms, water event 48+ hours ago
Post-event moisture check — confirm the dry-out worked before mold forms.
Self-clean small mold the right way: wear a mask + gloves, scrub with warm soapy water, let the surface fully dry, replace the caulk or grout where applicable, address the moisture source. Bleach is unnecessary and can set stains — soap and water is the IICRC-endorsed approach for small surface mold.
Mold inspection and testing FAQ
The honest limits of what a restoration firm can tell you — and when to bring in an independent testing lab.
Do you do mold testing (lab analysis) or just visual inspection?
Why don’t you do your own lab testing?
What does the inspection include?
How much does mold inspection cost?
Can you identify specific mold species?
Pre-sale moisture inspection — what we look at (and what we don’t)
A moisture-focused inspection for buyers who want to know a home’s water history, or sellers who want to document it is clean before listing. Not a full home inspection — a focused one.
What our inspection covers
- FLIR thermal imaging of every exterior wall, bathroom, laundry room, basement, and crawl space entry
- Moisture meter readings on any area the FLIR shows temperature differential
- Attic and crawl-space entry for visible evidence of past leaks, repair, or active intrusion
- Visible mold check on surfaces we can see (not inside wall cavities we don’t open)
- Rough age/stage estimate for any found saturation — “recent” vs. “old— dried up”
- Written findings with photos, FLIR images, and moisture readings documented
What our inspection does NOT include
- Full home inspection — we do not check electrical, structural, HVAC function, roof condition, or code compliance
- Lab testing for mold species — requires an independent industrial hygienist
- Appraisal or valuation — not within our scope or license
- Wall opening for destructive sampling — we are non-destructive
Fee: This is a paid inspection (not free like post-event), because there’s no mitigation job attached. Call (385) 247-9359 for the current rate. Written findings ready within 2 business days of the visit.
When to actually order a mold inspection
Mold inspections aren’t needed on every situation. Here are the specific triggers where ordering one makes sense — and where it doesn’t.
Trigger scenarios — order an inspection
- Pre-purchase on a home with known water-damage history. Prior claim documentation + current inspection gives you a complete picture before closing.
- Musty smell without visible source. Smell indicates MVOCs (microbial volatile organic compounds); inspection finds the growth producing them.
- Water event that sat past 48 hours before mitigation started. Delayed response often means mold conditions started; inspection confirms whether remediation is needed.
- Visible mold in one spot + worry about more. Inspection determines whether visible growth is isolated or part of a broader problem.
- Health symptoms consistent with mold exposure (persistent respiratory irritation, allergy flares) + any history of water damage. Physician + inspection together give you the data.
- Post-remediation verification after someone else did the removal work. Confirms the job was actually complete.
- Dispute with a landlord, HOA, or seller requiring documentation.
When inspection is NOT needed
- You see mold. You already know you have it. Spend the money on remediation.
- Normal musty basement smell in an unfinished storage area. May just need dehumidification + ventilation adjustments.
- Low-humidity Utah climate wouldn’t support unexplained widespread growth. If there’s no water-event history and no visible mold, systematic inspection usually finds nothing.
What our inspection costs
Pre-remediation inspections: priced per scope (visual + moisture mapping is standard; air sampling adds lab fees). For an active insurance claim where remediation is likely, the inspection cost is typically folded into the remediation scope. For diagnostic-only inspections (pre-purchase, dispute), it’s a standalone paid service.
