Mold inspection and testing air quality
do i have mold in my home?
- Mold inspection and testing indoor air quality is conducted when our clients have a concern or suspicion of mold in the home. Sometimes mold is discovered during a standard Home Inspection by a home inspector. Mold Inspections entail a thorough examination of the property's interior and exterior to identify entry points for moisture intrusion into the home. If we determine or suspect that there is a moisture problem in the home, Mold Testing & Indoor Air Quality Testing can be conducted to collect samples for laboratory testing and analysis. Samples are analyzed for the presence of mold and the particular species to determine whether or not the mold may be toxic.
LAB RESULTS OBTAINED THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY
- Lab results are obtained the next business day from our EMSL Partners in Mississauga
- Mold inspection and testing can be done whenever there is a concern or suspicion of mold by a client or the home inspector.
- Air Sampling - Involves taking samples of the air inside and outside of the home. A minimum of two samples are required for Indoor Air Quality Testing. The first sample is taken outside of the home as a control sample to measure mold spores in the air that enters the home. A second sample is taken in a common area of inside of the home for comparison to the outside air sample. Lab results determine if mold spores inside the home are elevated in comparison to the outside air. Additionally, the outside air sample may indicate if there is a mold growth problem outside of the house which may affect the indoor air quality of the home.
OTHER MOLD TESTING METHODS
- There are options for mold inspection and testing offered by your home inspector.
- Wall Cavity Air Sampling - Involves testing for mold spores hidden inside wall cavities. A tube is inserted into the drywall and an air sample is taken for laboratory analysis.
- Swab Testing for Mold - This type of sample is taken when mold is visible. Mold that is visible may be particularly dangerous because it may be toxic and it can be touched by individuals and can end up on clothing and in the air. The swab is analyzed for the type of mold or fungi that is visible.
- Biotape Lift Sampling - Mold can grow on various surfaces where swabbing may be more difficult. A specially designed tape made for laboratory analysis is used to lift samples off certain surfaces and placed on a slide made for microscopes and placed in a sealed air-tight container for lab analysis.
- Carpet Sampling - A vacuum pump especially designed for carpet sampling is used to collect samples from selected carpeted areas to determine if there is mold growth. The specially designed cartridge is sent to the lab for analysis.
TESTING FOR ASBESTOS OR ALLERGENS
- Asbestos Testing can be done on suspicious materials in the home. If the client or home inspector suspected asbestos, samples can be taken to the lab for testing.
- Insulation around ducts and pipes in older homes may contain asbestos
- Attic Insulation made of vermiculite may contain asbestos particles
- Some flooring materials such as linoleum or vinyl in older homes may contain asbestos content
- Asbestos was sometimes used in carpet installations in older homes.
- Some older homes used plaster compounds containing asbestos
- Certain types of imported drywall have been known to contain asbestos
- Have you recently renovated an older home?
- Asbestos Air Testing can be done to determine if asbestos fibres are present in the air
- Did you know we can also test the air for pet allergens?
