Mould Testing
Testing for Mold
It’s not mould until a laboratory analysis says it is.
We can be pretty confident based on experience and knowledge that something may appear to be mould but unless it is tested, we use the term “suspect” mould growth.
Health Canada does not recommend testing the air for mould
“An air test does not provide information on health and does not address the cause of mould damage in the house. You also do not need to know the type of mould present in order to remove it. Mould is a natural part of the environment and there are always mold spores in the air. Simply finding mould spores in an air test does not necessarily mean there is a problem. The best way to reduce your health risk from mould is to identify and remove the moisture source(s) and clean up the mould.”
So why do we air test then?
While we agree that the type of mould present in order to remove it doesn’t need to be tested, each situation is different and should be treated accordingly. On small removals, there is usually no air testing needed prior to or after remediation but on larger-scale jobs air testing can be a useful tool.
On larger-scale mould remediation projects air testing post-removal will ensure that mould spore levels are within acceptable limits when compared to the outside air.
Air testing for mold spores can also help detect if there are hidden issues, not all mould growth is visible during an inspection, and air testing can help with further exploration.
Air testing for fungal spores can be requested by doctors/allergy specialists to help with the diagnosis of patients. Legal disputes may require sample analysis of materials to confirm if mould is present.
Air testing is just one of the useful tools we have in our tool box!
Which room has Stachybotrys (black toxic mold)?
Ontario Regulation 278/05 There is a lot to know in order to achieve compliance with the Regulations pertaining to Asbestos and Designated Substances. It’s not just when renovations are taking place that testing of potential asbestos-containing materials is needed. Certain buildings depending on occupancy, age, etc. are required to have documentation prepared regarding asbestos.
Were you going to pick the first pic but thought… hmmmm that’s too easy I’ll pick the second?
These pictures were taken from an assessment we did on a rental property. Due to various reasons, the water from the shower was puddling onto the floor. The suspect mold on the baseboard in the bathroom was obvious; what was not so evident was the water staining under the carpet in the hallway and the damage under the ceramic tile.
We performed air testing and the results revealed the following:
How did the air testing help us?
Without the air testing we would have no way of knowing the extent of toxic mould spores that spread throughout the home and could potentially thrive in other areas if the right conditions were present.
