MOULD ASSESSMENT | MOULD REMEDIATION | CONSULTING

MOULD ASSESSMENT

When retaining a mould inspector / remediator always ensure that the contractor informs you of all the services that they provide.  Also, always be skeptical of mould inspection / testing firms that recommend mould remediation / abatement contractors to perform remedial work.  Some contractors / inspection firms work together to "create" work.  Always ensure that the firm you retain is insured, all of their employees are covered by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario and that multiple references can be available upon request.  Finally always beware of contractors who do not reccomend you "shop" around.  GeoFocus reccomends to all of our Clients that they obtain multiple quotations.  This has been one of our best sales tools to date as our Clients have the opportunity to discover the GeoFocus difference.

More recently, surveys for fungal and microbial contamination have become routine as part of due diligence in real estate transactions, indoor air quality assessments and building investigations. While the abovementioned items have become routine and commonplace, finding a reputable contractor to deal with them efficiently, correctly and within budget, has not. 

Mould Testing is important in the Remediation process, however, it is equally as important to find the source of moisture that initiated the problem and determine how to correct this prior to any remediation project. If required, GeoFocus Mould Solutions will utilize all necessary methods to aid in moisture detection. Mould testing is useful when conducted by experienced individuals, analyzed by accredited laboratories and interpreted by qualified technicians; however, its use should be reserved for situations where sampling is most likely to benefit the Client. Pros and cons of any sampling project should be explained to any potential client prior to collecting samples.  

Mould grows on surfaces of materials which can provide organic nutrients and where excess moisture is available.  A visible growth of mould is called a colony.  A material which is supporting active growth and proliferation of colonies on its surfaces is called an amplifier.  One of the ways that moulds reproduce and spread is by specialized microscopic cells called spores.  Many spores are very buoyant and readily dispersed by air movement.  A single spore or other viable mould particle can rapidly germinate, within days, to form a new colony, which in turn can produce millions of additional spores. 

There are currently no national standards that dictate the rights or responsibilities of a contractor with respect to mould. There are several voluntary guidelines that have been drafted by certain jurisdictions, but these are not recognized from a national standpoint. 

Proper Mould Remediation techniques by an experienced Mould Remediation Contractor is extremely important because an improperly handled Mould Remediation Project can often result in an Owner spending as much as ten times the cost of the original remediation estimate. GeoFocus Mould Solutions is experienced in both the Mould Remediation and the resulting Restoration aspects of a project. Our goal is to ensure that our resources as utilized as effectively as possible.

An investigation for mould is warranted if a building becomes water-damaged by water intrusion through the building envelope, leaks occur within the building envelope, or the building suffers from chronic excessive humidity.

Water can penetrate the building envelope by diverse means, such as natural disasters, construction defects, or lack of building maintenance.  Multiple sources may contribute to the total moisture burden.

Leaks within the building envelope such as plumbing leakage can result in fungal growth that may ultimately affect interior gypsum wallboard or plaster and interior finishes.  Fungal growth can also result from excessive and chronic humidity.  This is commonly seen on the window caulking and window sills at metal single-pane windows and on gypsum wallboard ceilings in insufficiently ventilated bathrooms.  Excessive humidity may also result in large areas of visible growth on interior wall surfaces.

Because mould is often hidden under floors or behind walls, it is not always easy to detect. However, some mould grows in visible areas so a consumer or property owner should take care to inspect carpets, bathroom or refrigerator floors and other suspect areas to ensure that mould is not present.

Indoor air quality investigations can begin in several ways.  Some buildings owners or managers conduct regular air quality audits to detect problems before they can potentially affect occupants.  At the other end of the spectrum are investigations which occur as a result of acute reactions from individuals entering a building.  Appropriate measures should be taken when an investigation is prompted by health complaints.  Appropriately trained individuals must be utilized. (Fungal Contamination in Public Buildings: Health Effects and Investigation Methods)  Please note that occupational medical expertise is available and will be retained if there are any concerns about the adverse medical effects of mould exposure.

If required, laboratory tests must be done using appropriate methods and by qualified and experienced professionals.  Commercial laboratories should demonstrate successful performance in the AIHA Environmental Microbiology Proficiency Analytical Testing (EMPAT) program and preferably be an Environmental Laboratory accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), or ISO or Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) certification.  (Fungal Contamination in Public Buildings: Health Effects and Investigation Methods)

In addition to an investigation due to water intrusion and humidity control problems, a building inspection or a baseline investigation for microbiological contamination is recommended as a part of the due-diligence process in a real estate transaction, in the approval of a mortgage application, or in the issuance of an insurance policy.

An inspection as a part of due diligence is usually much more limited in scope than a building investigation for mould due to moisture problems.  In that destructive sampling and testing are usually not conducted.

The importance of conducting informed building investigations of buildings subject to the above-mentioned sources of moisture cannot be overstated. Effective remediation cannot be done if biased, flawed, or inadequate building investigations precede remediation.