Quick Start Guide

Time: 2-3 days

• Keep the doors and windows closed as much as possible for at least 2-3 days before you take the samples.
• Also, turn off all standalone air filters and air purifiers for 2-3 days.
• Do NOT turn off the heating and/or air conditioning systems.
• Do NOT mow grass, rake leaves, or otherwise disturb the property on the day of sampling.
• Choose a day when it’s not raining or snowing for the best results.
• If you’ve done all this… YOU’RE GOOD TO GO!

All samples must be collected at the same property, the same day, within one hour. Failure to follow these instructions will invalidate your results.

Time: As needed

• Focus on rooms and areas where people frequently experience symptoms, a musty/damp odor is present, there’s been a history of water damage, or where you may have noticed excess moisture or possible mold growth.
• Record where you will collect these samples on Page 6 of the Quick Start Guide that accompanied your test kit. Or simply print the section below. You will be asked for this information during kit activation and sample submission in the next step.

For details on how to perform a thorough inspection, download our comprehensive guide, How to Find Mold in Your Home, available at: gotmold.com/findmold

Time: 10 minutes

• Activate your kit online at: gotmold.com/activate.
• Enter the unique KIT ID # found on the top of the outer box. The KIT ID # can also be found on the inside of Box #2 and on all of the sampling cassettes.
• Enter the information from your own Sampling Worksheet, details about the property, where you collected the samples, and where you want the report sent.
• Once you’ve completed activation and registration, and received confirmation, you may proceed to collect your air samples.

You must activate your kit and register your sampling details before sending your samples to the lab. Failure to do so will prevent your samples from being processed.

Time: 2 minutes

• Pick a day that’s not too windy, and without rain or snow.
• Open Box #1 and remove the BioVac™ air sampling pump.
• Put four new, brand-name AA batteries into the pump*.

NOTE: The green light on top of the unit means the batteries are in correctly. If no light appears, please check the orientation and try again.

* If someone passed a BioVac along to you and it still has batteries in it, replace them with new, brand-name batteries for optimal results.

Time: 7 minutes

• Remove and open Box #2, which contains the air sampling cassettes. Box #2 is also a prepaid return mailer. You will use it to submit the samples to the lab for analysis.
• Remove the seals from both ends of the cassette marked Outdoor Sample and stick them on the side of the BioVac.

SAVE THE SEALS! You will need to put them back on the cassettes after you take each air sample.

• Place the cassette onto the air sampling pump.

• Place the pump outside on a clean surface, 5-10 feet from the most-used entrance, at least 30” above ground.
• Press the gray button located on the top to start the BioVac. The light will turn RED for 5 minutes during sampling, and will automatically change back to GREEN when finished.
• Remove the cassette, replace the seals over the cassette openings, and return to Box #2.

• Time: 5 minutes each
  • Go to the location(s) you recorded on your own Sampling Worksheet.
  • Just as you did for the outdoor sample, remove the adhesive seals from the next unused cassette and stick them on the outside of the BioVac.
  • Place the fresh cassette on the pump. Then place the pump on a clean surface, at least 30” from the floor, near the center of the area or room. Press the gray button to start.
  • When complete, replace the adhesive seals onto the cassette and place back in Box #2.
  • Repeat with the other unused cassettes included in your kit.

  

• Time: 2 minutes
  • Place all the cassettes back in Box #2, which is the return mailer. They should be in the same slot from which they were originally removed.

  

Time: 2 minutes each

• If you have activated the kit and provided your sampling details online, you may remove the STOP sticker from the outside of Box #2 to reveal the laboratory address.
• Peel the protective cover from the adhesive strip on the inner lid and seal the box.
• Drop the sealed box in the mail. No postage is necessary if mailed from within the United States. Shipping time may vary. You will be notified as soon as the lab receives your samples.

Did you activate the kit and register your sampling details? It is required for processing.

Time: Transit time plus 2 business days

• Once received at the lab, your report will be ready within two business days.
• The report will be delivered via SMS and/or email,
  depending upon your chosen method.
• Track the status of your report at: gotmold.com/status

More Resources

• For additional information, visit our Learning Center at gotmold.com/learning-center
• Download our comprehensive guide, How to Find Mold in Your Home at gotmold.com/findmold
• Where is my report? Go to: gotmold.com/status
• Need to do more testing? Order supplies at: gotmold.com/supplies

Standard kits come with fresh batteries. After samples have been collected, please remove the batteries and feel free to reuse them for any purpose.