Mold inspection in DFW. Real answers about the air in your home.
Based in the Fort Worth area, K9 Mold Guide is a Texas Mold Assessment Company. We combine building science and real-time air testing to find hidden mold and the moisture behind it, and on select visits our mold detection dog, Jessie, helps pinpoint where to look. Then we walk you through what it means and what to do next.
Meet Jessie, our K9
Jessie is one more tool in our toolkit. She completed a 3-month, 1,000-hour certification under Bill Whitsine, a nationally recognized Canine Master Trainer, using the same protocol behind ATF arson, bomb, and narcotics detection dogs. Jessie works alongside Taylor. If you'd like her on your visit, ask when you book.
“The mold dog hasn’t been wrong yet!”Camryn M.'s remediation company, from her Google reviewSee Jessie at work on Instagram
Our toolkit
Every assessment starts with building science. The other tools help us find what a visual inspection alone can miss.
Building science & visual assessment
Our core method for evaluating your home's moisture and mold risk.
InstaScope real-time air testing
Instrument-based bioaerosol sensor technology that detects airborne mold spores as it scans, so we can see what's in the air while we're in your home.
- Results in minutes, not days
- Technology originally developed for military use
- Instrument readings, not judgment calls
Hidden-cavity detection
Testing air from wall cavities, HVAC systems, and flooring to find growth without cutting into your home.
K9 detection
Jessie narrows down exactly where to look, especially in spots with no visible signs.
More than mold: a full read on the air you breathe
Mold, bacteria, viruses and pollen together make up what's called your home's total biological load. The InstaScope measures it room by room, along with chemicals, fresh air and humidity, while we're there. You see results during the visit instead of waiting days for a lab. Tap any reading to see what it tells us.
How it helps us find the source
- Screen every room. We compare readings across the house to see where levels jump, like a kitchen that reads higher than every other room.
- Stir up settled dust. We compare still air with air after the dust is disturbed, so mold that has settled isn't missed on a quiet day.
- Trace it to the spot. A wand reaches behind vanities and into wall cavities to see whether levels rise right there.
The InstaScope finds where the mold is. Once it does, that's where we take your lab samples, and the lab tells us what kind it is.
Mold spores are always in outdoor air. When indoor levels are higher than outdoors, or one room reads higher than the rest of the house, it usually means mold is growing somewhere nearby, often behind walls or under floors after a leak. The InstaScope counts spores; your lab samples tell us what kind they are.
Why it matters
Mold can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms, and it points to a moisture problem that will keep causing damage until it's fixed.
What helps
- Find and fix the water source first
- Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours
- In Texas, if you hire someone to clean up 25 contiguous square feet or more, they must be a licensed mold remediation contractor
VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are gases released by paint, cleaners, air fresheners, plug-ins, new furniture and building materials. Actively growing mold gives off its own VOCs, which cause the musty smell.
Why it matters
The EPA notes that many VOCs are found at higher levels indoors than outdoors. High readings can cause headaches and irritation, and a musty pattern can help us locate hidden growth.
What helps
- Air the home out and store chemicals outside
- Remove plug-ins and air fresheners
- Choose low-VOC paints and products
Bacteria and viruses ride on dust and tiny moisture droplets in the air. Bacteria levels rise after leaks, flooding or sewage backups and in homes that stay damp or stuffy. Viruses linger where the air doesn't move much.
Why it matters
High bacteria readings often go hand in hand with hidden water damage. Both readings show how well your home's ventilation and filtration are clearing the air, which matters most in cold and flu season or with someone sick at home.
What helps
- Clean up and dry water damage quickly
- Bring in more fresh air and run bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans
- Use the best filter your HVAC system allows, and a HEPA purifier in bedrooms
Carbon dioxide builds up from people breathing. Outdoor air is around 420 ppm. Indoors, levels creep up in closed rooms, especially bedrooms overnight.
Why it matters
CO₂ is the clearest sign of stale air. Many guidelines use about 1,000 ppm as a sign that a room needs more fresh air. Higher levels are linked with drowsiness, headaches and trouble focusing, and when fresh air is low, humidity and chemicals build up too.
What helps
- Open a window or crack a bedroom door at night
- Have your HVAC fresh-air intake checked
- Consider an ERV for tightly sealed homes
Pollen comes from trees, grasses and weeds outdoors. It gets in through open windows, gaps around doors, on clothes and on pets.
Why it matters
High indoor pollen points to leaks in the home or weak filtration, and it explains allergy symptoms that don't let up indoors.
What helps
- Keep windows closed on high-pollen days
- Use a higher-rated HVAC filter
- Change clothes and wipe off pets after time outside
Relative humidity is how much moisture the air is holding. The EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity between 30% and 50%, and below 60%.
Why it matters
Mold needs moisture. Rooms that sit above 60% can grow mold on their own, even without a leak. Very dry air causes problems too, like dry eyes, sinuses and skin.
What helps
- Run a dehumidifier in damp rooms
- Use bathroom fans during and after showers
- Have your AC checked; an oversized unit can leave the air clammy
Buying a home? Know what's in the air before you close.
A mold assessment during your option period gives you real answers while you still have time to negotiate or walk away. Same licensed team, same tools, on your timeline.
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Fits your option period
We can often get out the same week you call, so you have results before your deadline.
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Answers during the visit
Our InstaScope reads airborne mold spores in real time, so you're not waiting days on a lab.
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Written report in 48 hours or less
Clear findings you can share with your agent, your lender, or the seller.
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Licensed and independent
Texas-licensed and an IICRC Certified Firm. We assess; we don't remediate, so our findings aren't a sales pitch.
On short-notice real estate visits, K9 Jessie may not be able to join. The InstaScope's real-time air testing still gives you a reliable read on the home.
Five-star reviews from families we've helped
Shown exactly as our clients posted them on Google.
Worth every penny! Taylor and Jessie did an incredible job finding mold others had not, which was incredibly important due to the serious health issues of several people in my family. Taylor is detailed, thorough, compassionate, and incredibly knowledgeable. I cannot say enough how grateful we are for her (and Jessie’s) time and attention. Highly recommend!
Taylor was fantastic to work with! If you are testing your house for mold, you can assure that Taylor can relate to your circumstances and offer very empathetic professional advice. Her dog, Jessie, is incredible and was spot on in all of her findings within our home. We had to call out another mold hygienist for insurance purposes and it only confirmed everything Jessie had identified. However, if it hadn’t been for Jessie, I wouldn’t have been able to tell the hygienist which baseboards to look behind. Very thankful for this team! You can trust that their findings are accurate!
Taylor was very kind and thoughtful. Took her time in our house and was available after for all our questions. Per our remediation company “the mold dog hasn’t been wrong yet!”
Jessie found mold a human would have never found!! Very professional and so easy to work with. Taylor was so responsive and answered all of my questions and supported us all the way.
Taylor and Jessie were the best! We’ve used a few local mold inspector and take my word for it - this is hands down the most efficient way to locate hidden mold in your home if you value your time and money. I cannot recommend Taylor and her sweet dog enough. Taylor took the time to explain the whole process and understand our unique situation. She also took the time to explain the findings, and afterwards we felt very empowered to continue making strides in our family’s health journey! Thank you again Taylor!
Taylor and Jessie (the most adorable K9 mold dog!) gave me hope and confidence in how to move forward with our current mold situation. From the moment I contacted Taylor, she was responsive, professional, and empathetic. Taylor and Jessie took their time inspecting our entire home and uncovering mold in areas that we would have never suspected. This was our first time utilizing the services of a mold dog and we were beyond impressed with the work and witnessing Jessie in action. After Jessie identified all the mold in our home, Taylor further investigated all the areas that Jessie identified. Taylor walked us through the entire process and provided us with tangible recommendations. Taylor was very knowledgeable and truly understood the stress and obstacles that come with dealing with mold in your home since she has been through that herself. I highly recommend the services of Taylor and Jessie!
What to expect
Schedule your visit
Call or request an estimate online. We'll confirm your square footage and timing.
Assessment & detection
Our team performs a full mold assessment to locate hidden mold and identify risks to indoor air quality.
Findings & next steps
You get a clear picture of what was found and straightforward guidance on what to do next.
- Fort Worth–Dallas
- Austin
- San Antonio
- Houston
Nationwide travel is available for specialized inspections. Contact us for scheduling and travel details.
Frequently asked questions
Are you a mold inspector?
Yes. K9 Mold Guide is a licensed Texas Mold Assessment Company (ACO1321). Taylor is a Licensed Mold Assessment Consultant (MAC2293), and Darrell is a Licensed Mold Assessment Technician (MAT1609) who can inspect your home directly.
Are you IICRC certified?
Yes. K9 Mold Guide is an IICRC Certified Firm. The IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) sets industry standards, and certified firms employ trained technicians, follow established best practices, and agree to the IICRC Code of Ethics. You can confirm our status on the IICRC Global Locator.
Do you do mold inspections for home buyers?
Yes. We schedule around your option period, and we can often get out the same week you call. You get real-time air results from our InstaScope during the visit and a written report in 48 hours or less. Pricing is based on square footage, the same as any assessment, so call or request an estimate for a quote.
What tools do you use?
A full mold assessment combines building science and visual inspection, real-time air testing with our InstaScope, and — where it helps — K9 detection from Jessie to narrow down areas that need a closer look.
Alongside those, we use industry-standard equipment like moisture meters and a thermal imaging camera. Thermal imaging shows temperature differences that can point to hidden moisture, and moisture meters confirm it, so we can trace a problem back to its source — a slow leak, condensation, or poor drainage — instead of just finding the symptom.
The goal is a clear answer: where the moisture and mold are coming from, what they mean for your home's indoor air quality, and what to do next.
What is the InstaScope?
It's an instrument-based air sensor built on technology originally developed for military use and adapted for indoor air quality. Instead of sending an air sample to a lab and waiting 3–4 days, it reads airborne mold spores in real time — you get a result during the visit, not a week later. Because it's instrument-based, the reading doesn't depend on any one person's judgment call.
Why use a mold dog at all?
A trained dog can flag mold hidden behind walls, under flooring, or in other spots a visual inspection alone can miss — it's one more data point alongside our other tools, not a replacement for them.
How was Jessie trained?
Jessie completed a 3-month, 1,000-hour training and certification program under Bill Whitsine, a nationally recognized Canine Master Trainer, using the same training standard used for ATF arson, bomb, and narcotics detection dogs.
Get in touch
Based in the Fort Worth area and serving all of Fort Worth–Dallas, plus Austin, San Antonio, and Houston, with nationwide travel available.