Visual and moisture inspection
The inspector looks, measures and photographs, and does not sample. It often answers the question on its own, since visible growth and a moisture source tell most of the story.
Serving Montgomery County
Mold Inspection and Testing in Jenkintown
What a mold inspection includes, what air and surface tests do, and how to vet an inspector in a state with no mold license.
- Phones answered 24/7
- Flooded basements, burst pipes, sewer backups
- The emergency figure is agreed up front
- Readings and photographs from every visit, for your claim
Get a fast quote
Fastest: call (833) 490-5225. Or send this and we call you back.
Mold Inspection
Mold Inspection: what it covers
Quick answer
A mold inspection is a visual and moisture assessment of a building, sometimes with air or surface samples sent to a lab. Angi reports typical costs of about $303 to $1,075. Pennsylvania does not license inspectors, so ask about training, independence and a written report. Jenkintown Water Damage Restoration answers phones 24/7.
Many people who ask about a mold inspection are not in the middle of a flood. They are buying an old rowhouse or twin with a cellar that smells of damp, or renting one, or noticing a smell that returns every humid August. The question is simple: is this a problem, and how big?
An inspection is a way of answering that. A good one looks for the moisture first and the mold second, because mold is a symptom. Where the water comes from, how long it has been there and what it has touched are what decide whether you need cleaning, remediation or only better ventilation.
This page explains what the visit includes, what tests can and cannot tell you and how to choose an inspector when the state does not license them. If the inspection finds growth, the mold remediation page covers the next step.
- Service area
- Jenkintown & Montgomery County
- Availability
- Phones answered 24/7
- Typical cost
- $303–$1,075 (estimate)
- Phone
- (833) 490-5225
Does Pennsylvania license mold inspectors?
No. Pennsylvania does not license mold inspectors or remediators the way some states do, according to secondary sources, and the EPA publishes guidance but does not regulate mold. Anyone can offer the service, so training, independence and a clear written report matter more than a title.
That also means you cannot look an inspector up in a state license database, so the checks are yours to run. Ask for proof of any training they claim and for a sample report.
Because the claim comes from secondary sources, confirm the current rule with the Attorney General's office if it matters to a legal decision, such as a sale.
What should I ask an inspector?
Ask what training they have, whether they also sell remediation, what they will measure, what the report will contain, whether they carry insurance and what they will do about the moisture source. An inspector who is also the remediator has a conflict, which is worth knowing about, not necessarily a reason to refuse.
Ask whether samples are being taken, how many, and from where. One air sample tells you little, and a good inspector explains the limits.
Ask which standard they follow. ANSI/IICRC S520 is the usual reference for remediation, and EPA guidance is the usual reference for homeowners. Ask about technicians' IICRC certifications if the company claims them.
What can a mold test tell me, and what can it not?
A test can show whether spores are present and which types, compared with outdoors. It cannot say whether you are being harmed, and there is no safe or unsafe number set by law. Visible growth and a moisture source usually matter more than a spore count.
Spores are in outdoor air all the time, so a lab will always find some. What matters is a pattern: a type or count far above the outdoor sample, in a room with a moisture problem.
The CDC says the term toxic mold is inaccurate. What can be said is that mold can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms in some people.
Should I get an inspection before buying an older house?
It is worth considering if the cellar smells damp, shows stains or efflorescence, or has had water before. A home inspector sees many things, and a moisture-focused visit looks more closely at the cellar. It does not guarantee a house is free of mold.
Bring the history from the seller: past leaks, repairs, pump replacements, any flood claims. Ask when the last heavy rain was and whether the walls were damp then.
A stone cellar that is damp on a dry day is more telling than one that seeps only in a storm. The stone basement page explains why.
Warning signs
Signs you need mold inspection
If you see widespread growth, do not disturb it and do not run fans that spread spores. Keep children and people with asthma away until it is assessed.
- A musty cellar smell that comes back after airing out
- Buying or renting an older rowhouse or twin and wanting to know about the cellar
- Staining or dark spots on a ceiling, wall or the underside of the floor above a cellar
- A past leak or flood that was dried by the occupant rather than a crew
- Allergy symptoms that seem tied to one room, though that is not a diagnosis
- Peeling paint or efflorescence on cellar walls
- Condensation on cold pipes and windows in summer
Our process
How our mold inspection visit works
Talk through the history
The inspector asks about past leaks, floods, smells and symptoms, and what you want to know. That history shapes where to look.
Look at the building
The visit covers the cellar, the walls and ceilings, window wells, plumbing, the roof line and anywhere moisture could be entering. Photographs are taken as the visit goes on.
Measure moisture
Moisture meters and a thermal camera show wet materials that look dry. Humidity and temperature readings tell you whether condensation is a factor.
Sample if it is useful
Air or surface samples may be taken and sent to a laboratory. They are most useful when growth is not visible but a problem is suspected, or when a baseline is needed before and after remediation.
Receive a written report
The report should describe what was seen, what was measured, what the lab found and what is recommended, in plain language, with photographs.
Options
Types and options for mold inspection
Air sampling
A pump collects spores on a slide or cassette, usually with an outdoor comparison sample. Results vary by day and by where the sample is taken, so they are a snapshot, not a verdict.
Surface and tape sampling
A swab or tape lift from a suspect patch shows what kind of growth it is. It cannot tell you how much of it is in the air, or whether it is harming anyone.
Cost
How much does mold inspection cost in Jenkintown?
Inspection costs depend on the size of the building and the number of samples. Angi's 2026 guide gives a range, and it is the one figure on this page that comes from a published source.
| Job | Typical range | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Mold inspection, per Angi 2026 | $303–$1,075 | Average reported near $689 |
| Mold air or surface test, per Angi 2026 | $250–$500 | Per test or set of samples |
| Emergency inspection and moisture assessment | Free–$200 | Working estimate for a moisture visit after water damage |
| Antimicrobial application, per sq ft | $0.50–$2.00 | Only if cleaning follows |
The Angi rows are as the guide reports them and the other two are the business's working estimates for Montgomery County in 2026. Prices differ by company, and a moisture visit after a water loss is confirmed on site before anything is charged.
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If it's an emergency, call now. For non-urgent mold inspection, send the form and we'll call you back.
Montgomery County
Why mold inspection is different in Greater Philadelphia
Around Jenkintown, the question of a musty cellar usually comes up with the housing: stone twins, brick rowhouses and mid-century houses, nearly all with cellars. Buyers and renters often want to know about the lower level before they sign.
Humid summers are the season when cellars smell. Warm, wet air meets cool stone and concrete, and condensation does the rest. A dehumidifier and ventilation help, but they do not fix a wall that weeps.
If you are buying, ask the seller about past water and look at the cellar after a rain, not on a dry day.
Related
Related services
Mold Remediation
How mold is removed after water damage, what Pennsylvania law does and does not require, and what to ask any company.
Stone Basement Water Damage
Cleanup and drying for older cellars where water weeps through the face of rubble stone walls rather than through a crack.
Structural Drying
Monitored drying of plaster-and-lath walls, hardwood over joists and stone or brick, with daily readings until dry.
Basement Flooding Cleanup
Pumping, cleanup and drying when water arrives in a basement from the surface, a failed pump or a backed-up drain.
Where we work
Mold Inspection across Montgomery County
- Mold Inspection in Philadelphia
- Mold Inspection in North Philadelphia
- Mold Inspection in Kensington
- Mold Inspection in West Philadelphia
- Mold Inspection in South Philadelphia
- Mold Inspection in Germantown
- Mold Inspection in Mount Airy
- Mold Inspection in Chestnut Hill
- Mold Inspection in Manayunk
- Mold Inspection in Camden
- Mold Inspection in Fox Chase
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- Mold Inspection in Somerton
- Mold Inspection in Abington
- Mold Inspection in Cheltenham
- Mold Inspection in Elkins Park
- Mold Inspection in Wyncote
- Mold Inspection in Glenside
- Mold Inspection in Huntingdon Valley
- Mold Inspection in Willow Grove
- Mold Inspection in Hatboro
- Mold Inspection in Horsham
- Mold Inspection in Fort Washington
- Mold Inspection in Flourtown
- Mold Inspection in Ambler
- Mold Inspection in Lansdale
- Mold Inspection in Norristown
- Mold Inspection in Haverford
- Mold Inspection in Bensalem
- Mold Inspection in Warminster
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FAQ
Mold Inspection FAQs
How much does a mold inspection cost?
Angi's 2026 guide reports about $303 to $1,075 with an average near $689, and air or surface tests about $250 to $500. Prices vary by building size and sample count.
Is Pennsylvania licensing mold inspectors?
No. Pennsylvania does not license mold inspectors the way some states do, so check training and ask for a written report. Industry guidance such as IICRC S520 and EPA guidance applies.
Do I need a test if I can see mold?
Often not. If growth is visible, the question is how big it is and what is feeding it. Testing may help when growth is hidden or when you want a before-and-after record.
Is it a problem if my inspector also does the cleanup?
It can, but some people prefer an independent inspector so the party doing the work is not the only one declaring it done. Ask the company how it handles that.
How long does an inspection take?
A typical house visit takes a couple of hours, with lab results back in days if samples are sent. The report should explain what was found and what to do.
Will a clean inspection mean I never get mold?
No. It tells you the condition at that time. Moisture is what matters, so a house that gets wet again can grow mold again.