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Worried About Mould?
Did you know most indoor mould growth actually starts in winter months due to condensation on windows and inside wall cavities?
Mold in your home can be hidden! Let us find it. It can be fixed. You just need a plan!
Mold Inspection - Mold Testing - Mycotoxin Exposure
What is Mold?
Mold is ever present and is part of our natural environment. It is impossible to have a mold free environment! However, in nature we have a wide variety of mold species (types) at relatively low concentration. Mold is mother nature's way of rotting away or breaking down cellulose materials in order to make sure the life-cycle starts all over again...and that the planet is not overrun by dead trees, plants, leaves,...etc.
Why is Mold harmful?
Not all mold species or mold growth is harmful to your health. Mold can have toxins called mycotoxins which are basically chemicals it uses to battle other mold species. Some molds have very minor or non-existent mycotoxins and other species have very toxic mycotoxins. The more toxigenic mold species can have serious and sometimes long term health implications. Important is to find out if you in fact have a mold issue, what type, where and how serious.
Mold growth can produce thousands of microscopic mold spores, that could be inhaled. This is where the risk for allergies or more serious diseases can occur. a detailed mold inspection and mold testing for black mold can show you if you have a hidden mold issue.
Where can Mold hide?
Everywhere! Mold growth is not always visible. In most cases, mold growth can be behind walls, above ceiling and under floors. A professional and competent mold inspection along with mold testing that is sent to a qualified mold laboratory can show you if you have a mold growth problem.
What should I do?
The most important thing is not to panic! More harm can be done without a plan and without the right information. Mold can be spread to other areas making the mold issue more difficult, more costly to remove and put occupants at higher risk. A detailed mold inspection should be considered.
What should I not do?
Don't touch it! Mold growth can release tens of thousands of mold spores and mycotoxins into the air if disturbed.
Have a professional look at it. Yes, we mean us :)
Don't Let It Get To This
Hidden mould in a ceiling cavity
Hidden mould in a ceiling cavity
Hidden mould in a ceiling cavity
This was from a hidden and chronic roof deck leaking into a bedroom ceiling. No visible signs of mould or water damge. Our mould assessment found it.
Mould Behind Baseboards
Hidden mould in a ceiling cavity
Hidden mould in a ceiling cavity
This was a basement foundation wall leaking into the wall cavity, leading to mould behind the baseboards. This was left too long and it started to show mold growth on the walls above the baseboard.
We Have Two Options For Mould Assessments
Standard Mould Assessment
Mycotoxin Exposure Assessment
Mycotoxin Exposure Assessment
Our job is to determine if you have a mould issue, how serious is it, where is the mould located and is it affecting the indoor air quality and are there health concerns. We then issue a detailed step-by-step report that in minor cases you can follow and in more serious cases a mould removal contractor will need to follow.
Our Mould Inspection Process:
- Visual Inspection of the home or office for signs of mould and water damage
- Relative Humidity readings
- Moisture meter survey of walls, ceiling and floors in suspect areas
- Thermal imaging of walls, ceiling and floors for hidden moisture and potential mould growth.
- Laboratory sampling for airborne mould spores
- Written report, with scope of work and consultation with client.
Don't let your mould removal contractor decide the size and scope of the work. An independent third party like Verify Air Quality Test can save you money and make sure the work is done right.
Mycotoxin Exposure Assessment
Mycotoxin Exposure Assessment
Mycotoxin Exposure Assessment
This assessment is to determine if airborne mycotoxins are affecting your health. If you have chronic unexplained health issues, suffering from autoimmune issues, Lyme, cancer, repeated digestive problems or Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Kidney or Gall stones, or skin rashes, etc...THIS ASSESSMENT IS A MUST!
This is not an ERMI settled dust assessment for mycotoxins. This is a first for Canada and is an airborne mycotoxin assessment to see if you are being actively exposed to mycotoxins.
Our Mycotoxin Assessment Process:
- Must be combined with the Standard Mould Assessment.
- Airborne mould spore testing via spore trap or viable plating (optional).
- Airborne mycotoxin testing sampling 120 litres of air in the bedroom, living room and office (areas you spend the most time).
- Optional surface analysis for mycotoxins
- Comparison to your urine or blood test results to mycotoxins from your health professional.
- Written report, with scope of work and consultation with client.
Our Mould Inspection Process
Independent and Professional Mould Assessment
Our job is to determine if you have a mould issue, how serious is it, where is the mould located and is it affecting the indoor air quality and are there health concerns. We then issue a detailed step-by-step report that in minor cases you can follow and in more serious cases a mould removal contractor will follow.
Don't let your mould removal contractor decide the size and scope of the work. An independent third party like Verify Air Quality Test can save you money and make sure the work is done right.
Understanding Mold
How Does Mold Start?
Wet building materials and contaminated air conditioning systems can become breeding grounds for bacteria and fungi (mould). There are an estimated 250,000 species of fungi with approximately 1,000 species categorized as indoor moulds.
Roof leaks, foundations cracks, plumbing leaks, appliance overflows, condensation as well as high relative humidity can introduce unwanted excessive moisture into a building. Cellulose building materials such as insulation, wood building products, carpeting, drywall, wallpaper, fabrics, dust, etc. will support mould growth if the conditions are right. “If you water it…it will grow”. Any water event must be properly cleaned up within 24-48 hours to avoid mould growth.
Health Effects from Mold Growth
There are indoor mould species that are allergenic and there are mould species that can be extremely toxic. Some moulds cause allergic reactions including hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allergic rhinitus, asthma, sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, shortness of breath, dizziness, lethargy, and fever. Certain moulds produce toxins (mycotoxins) as a by-product of living. These so called ‘toxigenic’ moulds can cause digestive problems, joint problems, lung damage, ocular disease, ear infections, and some species are considered carcinogenic. Mould spores that have become non-viable (dead) due to the fact that they have dried out or have been killed by bleach or a biocide retain their mycotoxins. Dead mould spores when inhaled can cause the same health issues and allergic reactions as living mould spores.
Children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems are particularly susceptible to these contaminants. Exposure to mould can occur through skin contact, inhalation or ingestion of mould spores and fragments.