Short answer
A hardware-store settle plate will almost always grow mold, because mold spores exist in every building on earth. It cannot tell you whether your indoor level is abnormal, where the moisture is, or what needs to be removed.
Those kits have no outdoor control, no calibrated air volume and no chain of custody, which is why insurers, landlords and courts do not accept them as evidence.
Use your eyes and nose first: musty odor, staining, warped baseboards, and symptoms that improve when you leave the house are better free indicators than a petri dish. Then book the free inspection — it costs you nothing either way.
Why it matters in San Diego
In San Diego's humid coastal air, a DIY plate will grow something nearly every time.
How we handle it
Instead, book our free inspection. We find the water and tell you if lab testing is worth it.
Signs it's time to call us
- You bought a kit and it grew mold
- You're worried but see nothing
Mistakes to avoid
- Trusting a positive plate as proof
- Paying for kit lab fees
Related questions
Is your inspection really free?
Yes, for homeowners and property managers.