Indoor Air Quality Testing

Footprints Property Inspections gives Northeast Ohio families clear answers about the air inside their home. We test for what you can't see so you know exactly what you're breathing.

Indoor air quality testing equipment set up in a Northeast Ohio home
InterNACHI Certified Master InspectorASHI Certified Inspector

When you feel worse at home than anywhere else

Allergies that flare up only in the house. Headaches that lift once you leave. A kid whose asthma gets worse in the bedroom but not at school. These are the conversations that bring people to an air quality test, and the symptoms almost always come before anyone can point to the cause.

That's the whole point of testing. We capture air samples from the rooms where the trouble shows up and send them to an accredited lab. The report tells you what's actually present and at what levels. Whether that's allergens, chemical compounds, or particulate matter, you'll have a real answer instead of a guess.

Fresh paint, new flooring, and that smell that won't fade

A renovation, a new carpet, a fresh coat of paint, or new cabinets can all release chemicals into your air for weeks or months after the work is done. These are called VOCs, short for volatile organic compounds. Most of them you can smell. Some you can't.

If you've recently finished a project and the air still feels heavy, an air quality test catches what your nose is missing. We measure formaldehyde, common VOCs, and particulate matter so you know whether the levels in your home are normal or worth acting on. Opening a few windows isn't always enough.

Northeast Ohio winters keep the windows shut for half the year

From November through April, most homes around Akron, Copley, and the rest of Summit County stay sealed up tight. That's good for the heating bill. It's not great for the air. Without regular fresh-air exchange, anything off-gassing from carpets, cleaning products, combustion appliances, or the home itself builds up over the winter and has nowhere to go.

That's why we get a wave of these calls in late winter and early spring. People notice their headaches, dry sinuses, or a kid's asthma get worse around February. The air didn't change. The ventilation did. Testing tells you exactly what built up.

Air quality means more than just mold

Mold testing looks for one thing. Air quality testing looks at the bigger picture. That includes mold spores, plus volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, carbon dioxide levels, particulate matter, and common allergens like pet dander and dust mite debris.

For some homes, mold is the right test. For others, it isn't. If you don't know which category you fall into, an air quality test is the broader read that points you in the right direction. The lab report breaks down what's present, what's elevated, and what's well within normal range. You'll know where to focus.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between an air quality test and a mold test?
A mold test looks for one thing: mold spores and what species are present. An air quality test is broader. It checks for mold spores plus volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, particulate matter, and common allergens. If you suspect mold specifically, the mold test is the right call. If you're not sure what's bothering you, air quality testing is the broader starting point.
How long does the air quality inspection take?
Most jobs take between one and two hours on site. We collect air samples in the rooms where you've noticed problems, plus a control sample from outside for comparison. Lab turnaround usually runs three to five business days. You get the written report once the lab finishes its analysis.
How much does an air quality test cost?
Cost depends on how many samples we run and which compounds we test for. Some homes only need a basic panel. Others call for a broader workup if there's been recent renovation, suspected combustion issues, or someone in the home with respiratory concerns. We give you a flat quote up front once we know the address and what's going on.
Which rooms do you test?
We focus on the rooms where you've actually noticed the problem. Bedrooms come up most often, especially when a child or adult is dealing with sleep issues, asthma, or unexplained allergies. We also pull a sample from the main living area and a control sample from outside. If a specific room is the trigger, that's where we start.
What do the results actually tell me?
The lab report identifies what's in the air, the concentration of each compound, and how those numbers compare to the control sample taken outside. You'll see which items are within normal range and which are elevated. From there, we walk you through what each result means and what makes sense as a next step, whether that's ventilation, source removal, or further testing.

Service Areas

  • Summit County (Akron, Copley, Fairlawn, Bath)
  • Medina County (Medina, Wadsworth, Brunswick)
  • Portage County (Kent, Ravenna, Streetsboro)
  • Stark County (Canton, North Canton, Green)
  • Cuyahoga, Lorain, and Geauga Counties

Schedule Your Air Quality Test Today

(330) 760-2245
Schedule Inspection
Request Air Quality Test