Mold Inspections

Before we inspect, we conduct a thorough survey to determine the level of risk for toxic mold contamination.

Here is a sample of some of the questions we ask:

• What is the building's use (residence, rental, or commercial building)?
• How old is the building and what is the history?
• How is the drainage around the building?
• What is the exterior of the building composed of?
• Are there bushes/trees next to the building?
• Is their a lot of organic debris around the building?
• What is the shade level around the building?
• Was their any previous professional mould testing/sampling done?
• What were the results?
• Was the problem fixed?

MOLD PROBLEMS CAN BE VISIBLE AS WELL AS HIDDEN:
You may know that you have a mold contamination problem because you have active visible mould growth on a wall, in a closet, an attic or basement for example.  You may also have a mould growth problem that is not visible.  Mold can grow hidden from view for a considerable period of behind drywall, under floors, behind wall paper and under carpets, for example, and only by performing sampling and laboratory analysis will the extent of the problem be determined. Based on the findings of the inspections a remediation strategy can be determined.

BASIC MOLD INSPECTION AND TESTING

When you schedule an appointment, a Certified Mold Inspector will conduct visual inspections inside and outside the building including basements, crawl spaces and attics. Based on the findings of the visual inspections, more extensive investigation, sampling and testing may be required.

More extensive investigation and testing can include:
1. Fiber Optic inspection inside walls.
2. Air sample testing for airborne mould spores.
3. Physical (Bulk/Surface) Sampling.
4. Carpet and furniture testing.
5. Cultures for lab testing to identify mould species.

6. A complete Indoor Environmental Assessment.

7. A written report of findings and recommendations.

INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

Sometimes the cause of Health problems is linked to other aspects of the indoor environment which may or may not include mould contamination.  In these situations we recommend that an Indoor Environmental Testing firm be retained to do a complete analysis of the indoor environment.  These inspections are typically more expensive but encompass a much wider range of potential problems.  A standard Indoor Environmental Assessment will include a visual inspection as well as an instrument survey.  The instrument survey would included:

1. Temperature, Relative Humidity

2. Carbon Dioxide levels

3. Total Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

4. Total Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs)

5. Laser Particle Count of particulate in the air, ductwork, etc.

6. Thermal Imaging of ceilings, walls and floors for hidden thermal and moisture issues

7. Moisture mapping using moisture meter

For a Mold Inspection, please contact us

DETAILS ON WHAT A MOLD INSPECTION INCLUDES

I. Complete Visual Mold Inspection
A visual inspection inside and outside the building is the most important initial step in identifying a possible mould contamination problem. This inspection includes the basement, crawl spaces and attic as well as carpets and upholstery. The extent of any water damage and mould growth shall be visually assessed by a Certified Mould Inspector. This assessment is important to determine remedial strategies. During the visual inspection, accurate notes will be taken by the inspector for use in preparing the final written Inspection Report. The Ventilation Systems will also be inspected visually for damp conditions anywhere in the system, but paying particular attention to damp filters, humidifiers and the overall cleanliness. Ceiling tiles, gypsum wallboard (sheetrock), cardboard, paper and other cellulosic surfaces will be given careful attention during a visual inspection. The inspector will use a digital hygrometer, a digital thermometer, a fiber optic boroscope and a protimiter (moisture meter), where necessary, to detect hidden mould behind the walls, ceilings and floors and to determine the areas of potential mould growth and continuing moisture penetration. Photographs will be taken of any areas of mould growth for inclusion in the written Inspection Report.

II. Bulk/Surface Sampling
A Certified Mold Inspector, trained in appropriate sampling methodology, will perform all necessary bulk or surface sampling. Bulk/Surface sampling is necessary if the building inhabitants are suffering from health problems, which are or may be associated with fungal exposure. Bulk/Surface sampling is also necessary to identify the presence or absence of mould if a visual inspection is equivocal (e.g. if discoloration and staining are noted but no active mould growth). Bulk samples are collected from visibly moldy surfaces by scraping or cutting materials with a clean tool and placing the sample into a clean plastic bag or sterile container. Using the bulk material samples, most are cultured for mold although they can be cultured for bacteria if specified. A portion of the sample is weighed and a suspension is made in a sterile solution and cultured using specific media for either fungi or bacteria growth. The Results are reported in CFU's per gram. Surface samples are collected either as Swabs or as Lift Tapes. Swabs are collected by wiping a measured area with a sterile swab, the sample is then transferred, in the laboratory, from the swab to a potato dextrose agar petri dish. The dish is then incubated in a special incubator that is high in humidity and void of all ambient light at a temperature suitable for fungal growth. The most accurate mould identification is only possible after seven (7) days of live culturing for the mould cultures to reach their maximum identification growth. After seven (7) days of incubation, the fungal samples are removed and identified down to genus and to species where possible through visual identification under the microscope. Lift tape samples are analyzed under the microscope and the genus and sometimes species are visually identified.

III. Air Monitoring
A Certified Inspector, trained in appropriate sampling methodology, will perform all necessary air monitoring. Air samples are collected via an Anderson Style Bioaerosol Sampler. This type of sampler imparts viable spores on potato dextrose agar petri dishes laced in the apparatus at a rate of 28.3 cubic liters of air per minute. After a three (3) minute sampling period, the impacted fungi petri dishes shall be incubated in a special incubator that is high in humidity and void of all ambient light. The impacted fungi petri dishes shall be incubated at a temperature suitable for fungal growth. The most accurate fungal identification is only possible after seven (7) days of live culturing for the mould cultures to reach their maximum identification growth. After seven (7) days of incubation, the fungal samples shall be removed and identified down to genus and to species where possible through visual identification under the microscope. Results shall be provided in colony forming units per cubic meter of air. Air monitoring is necessary if there is evidence from a visual inspection that the ventilation systems may be contaminated. The purpose of such air monitoring is to assess the extent of contamination throughout the building. Sampling should be conducted while ventilation systems are operating. Air monitoring is necessary if the presence of mould is suspected in a particular area of the structure (e.g. a microbial volatile odor is detected) but cannot be identified through a visual inspection or bulk sampling. The purpose of such air monitoring is to determine the location and/or extent of mould contamination. Air monitoring is also necessary if the building inhabitants are suffering from health problems which are or may be associated with fungal exposure. If air monitoring is performed, for comparative purposes, outdoor air samples should be collected concurrently at an air intake, if possible, and at a location representative of outdoor air. The outdoor control air test is very helpful in evaluating whether there is an internally generated mould problem. Such a problem may exist if indoor mould tests report mould levels that are either:

 (a) higher than the outdoor control air test or

 (b) present indoors but absent from the outdoor control test.

For a Mold Inspection, please contact us