How to Get a Free Mold Inspection in St. Louis, MO

Getting a free mold inspection in St. Louis is straightforward — but knowing what to look for beforehand and what to expect during the inspection will help you get the most out of it. Here's the full process.

Step 1: Look for These Warning Signs First

Before calling, do a quick walkthrough of your home. You don't need to find visible mold to warrant an inspection — these signs are often the only warning you get:

•Musty odor — especially in basements, crawl spaces, or closed rooms
•Dark staining on walls, ceilings, or around windows (may be black, green, or brown)
•Visible condensation on windows, pipes, or walls that doesn't dry quickly
•Allergy or respiratory symptoms that improve when you leave the house
•Recent water damage, flooding, or a plumbing leak in the last 1–2 years
•A home inspection report that flagged moisture or mold
•Buying or selling a home — mold is a major disclosure item in Missouri

Step 2: Schedule the Inspection

STL Mold Removal offers free mold inspections across all of greater St. Louis — St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, and Jefferson County. You can schedule:

📞By phone: (314) 779-0000 — Mon–Sat 7 AM–7 PM
💻Online: Request a free inspection and we call within 1 hour

Same-day inspections are available in most of our coverage area. Emergency response is available for post-flood situations.

Step 3: Prepare for the Inspector's Visit

You don't need to do much. A few things that help the inspector:

•Make sure the inspector has access to your basement, crawl space, attic, and any areas where you've noticed the smell or staining
•Don't clean or disturb any visible mold before the inspection — the inspector needs to see it as-is
•Know the history: when did the smell start? Any recent leaks or flooding? Has the house flooded before?
•Have your homeowner's insurance information handy — if the mold is from a covered event, we provide documentation

Step 4: What Happens During the Inspection

A thorough mold inspection covers more than looking at visible staining. Our certified inspectors use:

Moisture meter

Detects moisture levels inside walls, floors, and ceilings without cutting holes. High moisture = mold risk, even if nothing is visible.

Thermal imaging camera

Infrared imaging reveals temperature differentials that indicate hidden moisture — cold spots behind drywall often mean water intrusion.

Borescope

A tiny camera on a flexible tube that can look inside wall cavities through a small hole — lets us see what's growing without major demolition.

Air sampling cassettes

Captures airborne spores from each room for lab analysis. Compared to an outdoor baseline to determine if indoor levels are elevated.

Step 5: Understanding the Inspection Report

If air samples are collected (required for lab-confirmed mold identification), results are returned in 24–48 hours. The report includes:

•Spore counts by species — in spores per cubic meter
•Comparison to outdoor baseline (normal is similar to or lower than outdoor counts)
•Which rooms are affected and at what level
•Identified moisture sources and affected materials
•Recommended remediation scope

Note on air sampling costs:The inspection itself is free. If the inspector determines air sampling is warranted, lab testing runs $200–$500 and is paid separately. Not every situation requires lab testing — your inspector will tell you if it's needed.

Step 6: Getting a Written Estimate

If remediation is needed, we provide a written flat-rate estimate before any work begins. No hourly billing, no surprise charges. You decide whether to proceed — there's no obligation from the inspection. See our services page for typical cost ranges by job type.