How We Test for Mold in Your Basement Before It Spreads

If you’re dealing with a musty smell or visible spots on basement walls, there’s a good chance mold is already a problem. At Total Home Water Restoration, we take mold seriously—especially in basements, where moisture often lingers and spreads fast.

Here’s how we test for mold in basements to find the source, identify the mold type, and guide the right cleanup plan—before it gets worse.

Step 1: Visual Inspection and Moisture Mapping

We start by looking at the whole basement:

• Walls, floors, ceilings

• Under stairs and behind drywall if needed

• Around HVAC, sump pumps, or plumbing lines

Then we use moisture meters and thermal cameras to map hidden wet spots. Mold loves moisture. Finding the wet areas is the first clue.

Step 2: Air and Surface Sampling

We don’t guess—we test. If there’s enough concern, we collect samples:

• Air samples check for mold spores floating around, especially helpful when you don’t see visible growth.

• Surface swabs or tape lifts test what kind of mold is growing on walls or wood.

We send these to a certified lab. Results tell us the mold type (like Stachybotrys or Aspergillus) and how concentrated it is. This helps determine if it’s a minor issue or something that needs a full remediation plan.

Step 3: Testing the Airflow and HVAC

Basement mold doesn’t always stay in the basement.

We’ll check your HVAC ducts and how air moves through your home. If mold spores are getting sucked into the system, the problem spreads upstairs. That changes how we clean and contain it.

Step 4: Reporting and Clear Recommendations

You’ll get a straight answer. No upsell. No scare tactics.

We’ll tell you:

• If you have mold or not

• What type it is

• Where it’s coming from

• What needs to be fixed or cleaned

If remediation is needed, we’ll walk you through it. Everything we do follows the IICRC S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation.

Why Testing Matters Before You Start Cleaning

Too many homeowners bleach mold or paint over it without testing first. That doesn’t fix the problem—it hides it.

Testing tells us:

• How far the mold has spread

• If it’s causing airborne contamination

• What steps are actually needed (sometimes you don’t need full remediation)

It saves money and avoids wasting time on solutions that don’t work.

Serving Grove City and Surrounding Ohio Homes

We test basements in:

• Grove City

• Hilliard

• Dublin

• Westerville

• Upper Arlington

• Reynoldsburg

• Pickerington

• And throughout Greater Columbus

We’re local. We know Ohio basements. And we fix homes like they’re our own.

Call Now Before It Spreads

If you suspect mold in your basement, don’t wait. Testing early can mean the difference between a simple fix and a major tear-out.

Total Home Water Restoration
4141 Hoover Rd, Grove City, OH 43123
📞 380-246-1837

“From disaster to done right. We fix it like it’s our own home.” – Tyler Zimmerman