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PRE-INSPECTION
INFORMATION:
Before we conduct a mold inspection, 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 mold 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.
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Visible Mold Growth
in a closet |
Visible Mold Growth
on an apartment Wall |
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Hidden Mold Growth
under prefinished Hardwood
Floor installed
directly onto concrete floor |
Hidden Mold Growth
under carpeting in a basement
where moisture
seepage has occurred |
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:
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Temperature, Relative Humidity
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Carbon Dioxide levels
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Total Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
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Total Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs)
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Laser Particle Count of particulate in the air,
ductwork, etc.
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Thermal Imaging of ceilings, walls and floors for
hidden thermal and moisture issues
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Moisture mapping using moisture meter
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A visual
inspection found water under the carpet
but could not
identify the source of the
leak or hidden wet
areas. |
Using a Thermal
Imaging Camera highlights wet areas
behind the
drywall that the visual inspection cannot see. |
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 mold growth for inclusion in the written
Inspection Report
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Moisture meter
indicates wet drywall on ceiling |
Moisture meter
checking for wet lumber and framing |
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Checking Relative
Humidity and Temperature |
Performing a
Moisture Mapping Survey |
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Complete Visual
Inspection of the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning System
(HVAC) for Mold |
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Moisture meter
indicates wet drywall on ceiling |
Moisture meter
checking for wet lumber and framing |
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Mold inspection in
an attic. Mould in attics can be caused by roof leak or
condensation/ventilation issues |
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 mouldy 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 mould 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.
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Inserting the Petri
Dish in the Bioaerosol Sampler |
Setting up an
Anderson Style Bioaerosol Sampler |
For a Mould
Inspection, please click
here.
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