Mold Testing
in Michigan
Independent mold inspection, pre-remediation assessment, and post-remediation verification across Southeast Michigan. Three testing methods. Three different questions. Not interchangeable.
We test only. No remediation, no conflict of interest.
"Mold Testing" Is Not One Thing
Each method answers a genuinely different question. We select among them based on what you need to know — they are not interchangeable, and we will tell you which one fits your situation.
Is the reservoir here?
Is it reaching the air?
Is it actively growing?
Mycometer Surface Survey
"Is there an established mold reservoir on this surface?"
How it works
We swab a measured area and a field fluorometer quantifies fungal biomass on-site, scored against reference categories. Result in minutes — not days.
What it tells you
How much fungal material is present on the specific surface tested. Paired with moisture readings, tells you whether the reservoir is active or a dried-out remnant.
Best when
A specific suspect area you want to confirm and locate quickly.
Spore Trap Sampling
"What fungal material is in the air, and does it point to an indoor source?"
How it works
A calibrated pump pulls air across an adhesive slide. The lab counts and identifies spores by genus. We compare indoor samples against an outdoor baseline taken the same day.
What it tells you
The genus of what's airborne (Stachybotrys, Chaetomium, Aspergillus/Penicillium, etc.) and whether indoor levels are elevated relative to outside — the classic indirect signal of an indoor source.
Best when
Understanding what is in the air and whether the indoor environment is meaningfully different from outside.
VOC / MVOC Air Testing
"Is mold actively growing right now — and what else is in the air?"
How it works
A single whole-air sample drawn onto a thermal desorption tube. GC/MS analysis at an AIHA-accredited lab (Enthalpy Analytical IAQ Home Survey) reports TVOC, TMVOC, and a contamination index by source category.
What it tells you
Whether mold is actively metabolizing right now (MVOCs are only emitted during active growth), plus the full chemical load of the air and its likely source categories.
Best when
Confirming whether a problem is active vs. dormant, or understanding the overall air quality picture.
How We Scope an Assessment
These are starting points, not rigid packages. After a short conversation about your situation, we will tell you which approach fits and whether any element is unlikely to add value.
Focused Check
One question, one method
Visual inspection and moisture mapping, plus one targeted test aimed at the specific question you are asking. Appropriate when there is a clearly defined suspect area or a single question to answer.
Appropriate when:
- Confirm whether a visible stain is an active mold reservoir
- Verify a recently remediated space has returned to normal levels
Mid-Tier Workup
Two methods + moisture
Two of the three testing methods combined with moisture mapping. Common combinations: Mycometer + moisture to answer 'present and active?', or spore trap + moisture for an air-plus-source picture.
Appropriate when:
- Source not immediately obvious
- Presenting concern involves more than one question
- Insurance documentation needed
Full Characterization
All three methods + complete workup
All three methods plus moisture mapping and a complete visual assessment. Source, air, and activity answered together — with genus identification and the indoor/outdoor differential. The defensible, complete workup.
Appropriate when:
- Insurance, legal, or health-related purposes
- Prior assessment left questions unanswered
- Litigation support or expert documentation
What Kind of Engagement Do You Need?
The three testing methods are tools. The engagement type determines what question we are answering and what deliverable you receive.
Mold Inspection
A methodical visual walkthrough plus targeted sampling to determine whether a mold problem exists, where it is, and what conditions are sustaining it. Includes moisture mapping. Produces a written report with findings and recommendations.
Best for:
Homeowners, buyers, tenants, and property managers who suspect a problem or want documented peace of mind.
Pre-Remediation Assessment
A detailed assessment of a confirmed mold problem to define the scope of work and produce a remediation protocol. Identifies affected materials, containment requirements, and the standard the contractor must meet for clearance.
Best for:
Restoration contractors, property owners with confirmed mold damage, and insurance adjusters.
Post-Remediation Verification (PRV)
Independent surface and air sampling after remediation to confirm the work area meets clearance criteria. Quantitative, documented results tied to ANSI/IICRC S520. Because we perform no remediation, our clearance carries no conflict of interest.
Best for:
Property owners, restoration contractors, and insurance carriers requiring independent clearance documentation.
We Test. We Don't Remediate.
A company that both tests for mold and performs remediation has a financial incentive to find problems — and to certify that their own work is complete. That is a conflict of interest that affects the reliability of both the initial assessment and the clearance test.
Lakepointe Inspections is testing-only. We do not perform remediation, and we have no financial relationship with any remediation contractor. Our findings are not influenced by what we would earn from the follow-on work.
For property owners, this means an honest assessment of what the problem is — and an honest clearance test that confirms the work is actually done, not just declared done.
What we do not claim
These tests characterize the building. They are not a medical diagnosis. For some airborne measures there are no firm "safe versus unsafe" thresholds — we report against comparative data and recognized standards and explain results honestly, rather than assigning a line that does not exist.
100% Independent
No remediation services
What Your Report Includes
Who Needs Mold Testing?
Homeowners
Musty odors, visible discoloration, or recent water damage. Know what you're dealing with before calling a remediation company.
Property Buyers
Mold inspection during due diligence. Discover problems before closing, not after.
Restoration Contractors
Pre-remediation assessments and independent PRV to document project completion for insurance carriers.
Property Managers
Tenant complaints, water intrusion events, and routine assessments for multi-family and commercial properties.
Mold Testing FAQ
What is the difference between a mold inspection and a pre-remediation assessment?
A mold inspection determines whether a problem exists and where. A pre-remediation assessment is performed when a problem is already confirmed — its purpose is to define the scope and produce a remediation protocol for the contractor. The assessment tells the contractor exactly what needs to be removed, contained, and cleaned.
What is Post-Remediation Verification (PRV) and why does it matter?
PRV (clearance testing) is an independent inspection after mold remediation to confirm the work was successful. An independent PRV — performed by someone other than the remediation contractor — protects the property owner by confirming the work is complete, protects the contractor by documenting successful completion, and satisfies insurance carrier requirements. Because we perform no remediation, our clearance carries no conflict of interest.
What is a Mycometer test and how is it different from air sampling?
A Mycometer surface survey measures fungal biomass directly on a surface using a field fluorometer — you get a quantitative result on-site in minutes. Air sampling (spore trap) measures what is airborne at the time of sampling. They answer different questions: the Mycometer tells you whether a reservoir exists on a specific surface; the spore trap tells you what is in the air and whether it points to an indoor source. Neither replaces the other.
What does VOC/MVOC testing tell me that air sampling doesn't?
Spore trap air sampling counts spores — it tells you what is airborne and in what quantity. VOC/MVOC testing measures microbial volatile organic compounds, which molds emit only while actively metabolizing. So MVOC testing is the closest thing we have to a real-time 'is it actively growing' signal. A high spore count could be from a dormant or dead reservoir; elevated MVOCs indicate active growth right now.
Can I test for mold myself with a home test kit?
Home mold test kits are not reliable. They cannot measure airborne spore concentrations, cannot distinguish normal background mold from elevated levels, often produce false positives, and do not provide the species identification needed to assess risk or scope remediation. A professional inspection with laboratory analysis provides actionable, defensible results.
Does my homeowner's insurance cover mold remediation?
Coverage depends on the cause. Most policies cover mold remediation when it results from a covered sudden and accidental water loss (burst pipe, appliance failure). Mold from long-term moisture, flooding, or maintenance neglect is typically excluded. An independent mold inspection and pre-remediation assessment provides the documentation your insurance carrier needs to evaluate the claim.
Mold Testing Near You
We serve all of Southeast Michigan. Select your city for location-specific information.
Renting and dealing with mold?
Tenant mold situations involve different steps, different rights, and different documentation needs than homeowner cases. We've put together a dedicated resource to help you navigate it correctly.
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