Frequently Asked Questions

A Tanjun mold inspection includes a thorough visual assessment of all accessible areas, professional moisture and humidity measurements, and thermal imaging to detect hidden water intrusion. We document findings room by room and provide a detailed written report. If sampling is needed, we collect air or surface samples and send them to our AIHA-accredited lab partner for analysis. The entire process typically takes 1-2.5 hours depending on the size of the property.

Home mold inspections start at $350 for homes up to 1,500 square feet. This includes moisture readings, humidity measurements, and a detailed findings report with remediation protocol if applicable. Air and surface lab samples are $95 per sample. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) testing starts at $440 (includes 2 air samples). Post-remediation clearance testing starts at $550. We believe in transparent pricing with no hidden fees.

“Test-only” means Tanjun performs mold inspections and testing exclusively — we do not offer mold remediation (removal) services. This is important because companies that both test and remediate have a financial incentive to find problems. When the same company that diagnoses the problem also profits from fixing it, there’s an inherent conflict of interest. As a test-only company, our results are always unbiased. We have no remediation division, no referral kickbacks, and no reason to inflate findings.

Standard lab results from our AIHA-accredited partner (Eurofins Built Environment Testing) are typically available within 24-48 hours after sample delivery. Rush processing is available for time-sensitive situations such as real estate transactions or post-remediation clearance. Charles will walk you through every result and explain what the findings mean in plain language.

Tanjun Mold Inspections serves Granada Hills, Northridge, Porter Ranch, Chatsworth, North Hills, Reseda, Woodland Hills, and the broader San Fernando Valley. We also serve communities throughout Los Angeles County and Ventura County, including Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Calabasas, Sherman Oaks, Encino, and surrounding areas.

Yes — be cautious. Companies offering “free” mold inspections typically profit from selling remediation services. The “free” inspection is a sales tool, not an unbiased assessment. These companies have a financial incentive to find mold (or exaggerate findings) because their revenue depends on selling you remediation work. A legitimate independent inspection from a test-only company like Tanjun costs money because the inspection itself is the service — not a lead generator for remediation sales.

Yes. Exposure to elevated indoor mold levels can cause a range of health effects depending on the species, concentration, and individual sensitivity. Common symptoms include nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, eye irritation, skin rashes, and headaches. People with asthma, allergies, or compromised immune systems may experience more severe reactions. Certain mold species produce mycotoxins — toxic compounds that can cause more serious health effects with prolonged exposure. If you’re experiencing unexplained respiratory symptoms at home, an indoor air quality assessment can determine whether mold is a contributing factor.

Absolutely. Musty or earthy odors are caused by microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) produced by mold as it grows. Mold can grow behind walls, above ceilings, under flooring, inside HVAC ducts, and in other hidden areas where it’s not visible but still releases odors and spores into your living space. If you smell something musty but can’t see mold, that’s actually one of the strongest indicators that hidden mold is present. An inspection with thermal imaging and air sampling can locate and confirm hidden mold growth.

Mold needs three things to grow: moisture, an organic food source, and warmth. In Southern California homes, the most common causes of indoor mold are plumbing leaks (especially behind walls), roof leaks, poor ventilation in bathrooms and kitchens, condensation from HVAC systems, and water intrusion through foundations or windows. Homes built before 1980 are particularly susceptible due to older plumbing, less effective vapor barriers, and building materials that absorb moisture more readily. The key to preventing mold is controlling moisture — fix leaks promptly, ventilate wet areas, and maintain indoor humidity below 60%.

Mold sampling provides science-based, evidence-based confirmation that minimizes questions from all parties. While a certified inspector can identify suspected mold visually, lab testing serves multiple deliberate purposes: definitively confirming mold growth, identifying the exact species present, satisfying insurance or legal documentation requirements, and guiding remediation protocols. Species identification is particularly important because certain molds — such as Chaetomium, Stachybotrys, and Ulocladium — point to prolonged moisture intrusion and may justify stricter remediation approaches. Air sampling also establishes whether indoor spore levels are elevated compared to the outdoor baseline. It’s worth noting that California does not regulate mold, and there are no widely agreed-upon “safe levels” published by any authority — which is exactly why independent, lab-certified data from an AIHA-accredited laboratory is so valuable.

No. California does not regulate mold, and there are no widely available, agreed-upon safe levels of indoor mold published by any government agency or standard-setting body. The EPA, CDC, state health departments, and private certification organizations each have varying — and sometimes contradictory — positions on mold exposure thresholds. This lack of regulatory consensus is exactly why independent, lab-certified testing is so important. AIHA-accredited lab results provide objective, science-based data that stands on its own. The most common approach is comparing indoor spore levels to the outdoor baseline — if indoor levels significantly exceed outdoor levels for any species, it indicates an active indoor growth source that warrants attention.