Air Handler & Ductwork
HVAC mold inspection, the #1 hidden vector in Florida buildings.
More than half of indoor mold contamination in Florida originates from the HVAC system, coil condensation, plenum growth, return-side leakage, and ductwork moisture. A standard mold inspection covers HVAC visually, but the HVAC Health Check is a focused deep-dive for buildings where the air handler is the suspected vector.
1 Laboratory Sample Included Typically a surface swab from the air handler
What it covers
What's included.
- Air handler cabinet inspection (coil, plenum, blower)
- Condensate drain line and pan assessment
- Return-side ductwork visual and moisture check
- Supply ductwork visual + targeted sampling
- Negative-pressure verification where applicable
- Sampling on coil / plenum / supply registers when warranted
When you need it
Right scenarios for this service.
- Musty smell only when HVAC runs
- Visible black or green growth on supply registers
- Tenant or occupant complaints throughout the building
- Post-HVAC service when unsure if the system is contaminated
- Pre-purchase verification on systems older than 10 years
How it works
Process overview.
Consultation → On-site visual + moisture + thermal across the HVAC system → Targeted sampling at coil, plenum, registers → Lab analysis → Written report with HVAC-specific recommendations.
The inspector
Daniel Melendez
Founder · Lead Inspector
- License
- MRSA #4575
- Certifications
- ACAC CMI · NAERMC CMH · NAERMC Green IAQ · Pathways™
- Education
- B.S. Microbiology
- Background
- Former lab analyst
Why a microbiologist
A microbiologist with a lab background, not a contractor with a weekend course.
Most Florida mold inspectors learned the trade in a weekend course. Daniel holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and worked as an environmental laboratory analyst, the person other inspectors ship their samples to, before founding PureSpec.
He reads spore counts, growth patterns, and species behavior the way the labs that run the analysis do. Every inspection is founder-performed, lab-supported, and assessment-only: Daniel personally walks the property, collects the samples, interprets the lab data, and writes the report.
No subcontractors, no remediation upsell, no kickbacks. Florida law (FS 468.8419) prohibits the same firm from inspecting and remediating, and PureSpec is built around that line.
How an inspection actually works
Nine steps. Same scientific process, every property.
The depth of each step adapts to your situation. HVAC and borescope inspection happen when conditions warrant. Sampling is decided based on what your specific environment is asking, not a fixed checklist.
- 01
Consultation
We talk through what you’re seeing, the building, and the question you need answered. Free, no pressure, no upsell.
- 02
Visual inspection
Daniel personally walks every accessible space. No subcontractors.
- 03
Moisture mapping
Pin and pinless moisture meters identify elevated wall, floor, and substrate moisture invisible to the eye.
- 04
Thermal imaging
Infrared imaging surfaces temperature differentials that often correlate with hidden moisture or insulation gaps.
- 05
HVAC evaluation
Coil, plenum, return, and ductwork assessment. The #1 hidden vector for indoor mold in Florida buildings.
- 06
Targeted sampling
Air, surface, swab, ERMI, HERTSMI-2, mycotoxin, Pathways™, VOC, or formaldehyde, only the tests your situation warrants.
- 07
Lab analysis
Samples sent to AIHA-LAP-accredited third-party laboratories. Results returned within 24 to 72 hours of receipt.
- 08
Written report
Plain-English report with photos, lab data, moisture readings, observations, and clear next steps. Built to hold up with insurers, lenders, healthcare providers, and counsel.
- 09
Remediation protocol when warranted
If the report identifies remediation-grade mold, Daniel writes the IICRC S520-aligned remediation protocol, scope, containment, methods, and clearance criteria, that the remediation contractor works to. Florida law prohibits the same firm from inspecting and remediating, so the protocol stays independent of the work crew.
Service areas
Where we perform HVAC Health Check.
15 Florida counties from Central Florida to South Florida, the Tampa Bay area, and North Florida. Click the county nearest you for local context.
Central Florida coverage