Buyer Beware: You May Be Getting Ripped-Off If Your Testing Company Also Does Mold Remediation

Sept. 6, 2012 - PRLog -- (Stamford, CT) – The environmental testing industry is plagued by companies offering mold testing on the cheap, and when they claim to find mold conveniently offer their own remediation services to fix the problem. “This is a clear conflict-of-interest, with the result that the problem is not often remediated – if it exists at all,” warns Robert Weitz, a certified microbial investigator and principal at RTK Environmental Group, which only provides testing services. According to Weitz, the result is the consumer may be paying thousands of dollars for bloated repair estimates or an improper and ineffective remediation.  

“There is a very big distinction between environmental testing companies,” he adds. “The difference is that an independent, certified testing company does not do remediation and therefore offers consumers unbiased opinions and remediation recommendations. They won't magnify or make-up the problem in hopes of making money on the remediation to follow.”

Recently, investigative reporter Jeff Rossen conducted an undercover investigation on NBC-TV’s Today Show into mold remediation, and the results were shocking. He found that some companies were willing to claim that eye shadow smeared on a wall was mold, then would charge upwards of $10,000 to remove the ‘mold problem.’

By contrast, RTK Environmental Group, and other reputable inspection companies, provide property owners with an inspection report—a mold “blueprint”—that pinpoints the exact type, size, and location of unhealthy indoor mold (that’s often hidden from view), and details specific remediation instructions for the contractor who eventually will be hired to perform the mold remediation. “Property owners typically realize an overall savings by picking an independent testing company like RTK because they’ll usually save thousands of dollars in unnecessary repairs,” says Weitz.
 
Since most environments contain some amount of mold, it’s important to determine whether the mold spores in your home are from a dangerous indoor colony or just part of the outside environment. A certified microbial inspector will conduct a variety of tests including air monitoring, surface sampling, and bulk sampling to compare the results with normal background mold levels. A company whose practice is strictly limited to environmental testing and consulting and never remediation will assure you of an accurate and unbiased assessment.

RTK has been a trusted independent environmental testing company for nearly 20 years. Their pledge is to do right by their customers, and make sure they have all the information they need to make informed decisions.

About RTK Environmental Group
Based in Stamford, and serving all of Connecticut, southern New York State, and northern New Jersey, RTK Environmental Group leads the field of environmental testing and consulting in mold, lead, asbestos, water, soil, radon and indoor air quality testing. RTK offers XRF paint inspections, water testing, air testing, risk assessments, project monitoring, clearance testing, abatement planning, and training. It has provided testing services to more than 20,000 commercial and residential customers, ranging from homeowners and real estate investors to medical centers and housing authorities and many others. Company professionals are certified, licensed, and fully insured. The public is invited to visit RTK’s Web site, http://www.rtkenvironmental.com, or call 1-800-392-6468.