Where can I find mould?
Mould and mildew are commonly found on the exterior wall surfaces of corner rooms where these walls will be cold in the winter. An exposed corner room is likely to be significantly colder than adjoining rooms, so that it has a higher relative humidity (RH) than other rooms at the same water vapor pressure. If mould and mildew growth are found in a corner room, then relative humidity next to the room surfaces is above 70%. However, if the RH is above 70% at the surfaces because the room is too cold or because there is too much moisture present (high water vapor pressure) then moisture will on the walls, and mould will surely follow.

How do I get rid of mould?
It is impossible to get rid of all mould and mould spores indoors; some mould spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust. The mould spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mould growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture. If there is mould growth in your home, you must fix the water problem first and then, and only then, clean up the mould. If you clean up the mould, but don't fix the water problem, then the mould problem will undoubtedly recur.

Can mould cause health problems?
Moulds do have the potential to cause health problems. Moulds can produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mould or mould spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mould are common. Moulds can also cause asthma attacks in asthmatics that are allergic to mould.

What types of buildings can be treated?

• Virtually any building found to have mould growth within it
• Homes, commercial buildings, industrial complexes
• Schools, pre-schools, day care centers, playrooms, clinics and special care units
• Special treatments are employed for crawlspaces, attics, unfinished basements
• Mould preventative treatments for new homes and buildings under construction are available
• Flood and fire damaged buildings should be treated to prevent mould

When is it time to call in a professional firm?
Moisture control is the key to controlling indoor mould. If your building has bad odors, inhabitants are complaining of health problems, or you notice moisture accumulating in unwanted areas, it probably is time to call for a mould inspection.

What are 'recommended remediation procedures'?
Recommended remediation procedures are contained in that portion of our mold inspection report which provides our remediation division with a full and complete set of instructions for the work that is required to rectify the mould problem. It details the procedures, products’ usage and safety protocols that should be followed for your individual mould problem. It first addresses the water intrusion/moisture issues that first allowed the mould to take hold. It ensures that our remediation staff has all the information they need to give you a fair and accurate quote, and then to perform the work according to our high standards.

How do I choose a mould remediation company? When property owners are looking for mould remediation companies - they need to become educated on the subject of mould. He or she has to ascertain the method which a particular company uses - and which method best suits his or her own philosophies. There are several questions that a property owner should ask:

• Are they a 'demolition' firm, or do they attempt to save materials?
• Do they wash with toxic chemicals (usually metal based) not suitable for indoor use?
• Do they use a combination of 1 and 2, reconstruction & toxic chemicals?
• Does the company use chlorine bleach in its process? Professional companies do not use bleach to carry out remediation)
• Can the company offer a reasonable guarantee on its remediation?
• Does the company restore items like carpets, upholstered furniture, curtains - or does it just recommend disposal and replacement?
• Does the company provide a full written report on the remediation procedures plan before the job commences?
• Can the company treat a crawl space? This is often the real source of the mould problem - many companies do not deal with this important area.
• Does it have products that are safe to use to clean an HVAC system - or does it just recommend a filter replacement?
• Does the company have experience with contaminants other than mould?
• Can the remediation company identify if there is more than one cause to a problem, or is their experience limited to water intrusion? Not all allergic or sick house syndromes are caused by mould or mould spores alone. Bacterial infections, hydrocarbons (leaks from heating oil tanks), sewage problems from septic problems/backups (which often cause a combination of problems involving mould & bacterial) can often be plaguing older homes and buildings. Do they have the knowledge to recognize and treat these problems?
• Does your remediation company offer you confidentiality? We use vehicles with very small signs on site and all information is retained in strictest confidence. Any information is only released to those to whom the client directs us to do so, and these instructions must be in writing.

What is involved in the actual mould remediation process?

• Understanding the extent of the area to be remediated. This area was specified in the mold remediation process portion of the mold inspection report, and the on-site crew first examines the contaminated area and relates it to the plan to ensure they fully understand exactly what is to be remediated.
• Containing the contaminated area - protective polyethylene sheeting (if required) is installed to ensure that mould spores disturbed during the remediation process cannot disperse throughout the rest of the structure. A de-contamination chamber may be set up at this time for larger projects. All HVAC vents leading to or from the area are sealed to prevent mold spores from circulating through this system. Negative air pressure is created with HEPA filters in the air movers to ensure all disturbed spores are vented to the outside, and not into the rest of the structure.
• An initial fogging of the contaminated area is performed - This knocks down the air-borne spore levels and is the first procedure which begins to inhibit mold growth on contaminated materials.
• Removal of badly contaminated porous materials - Porous materials are placed into and then sealed in polyethylene bags. These are de-contaminated on the outside of each bag, and then taken to a municipal landfill. Great care is taken to ensure that no further contamination of the structure occurs while removing these materials.
• Cleaning - the remaining contaminated non-porous materials are cleaned using non-toxic environmentally friendly products. The mould is first cleaned off thoroughly, and then the entire dead residue is carefully taken up into HEPA vacuum cleaners and disposed of at a landfill site. All odor-causing materials, all living mould, all dead debris from the cleaning process is safely removed from the affected building.
• Drying - the treated areas are then rigorously dried.
• Final coating - a fungicide is then applied which strongly inhibits any future mould growth. Control of moisture in the future is also very vital to prevent the re-growth of mould.
• Final Inspection - This is followed up with a final on-site lab inspection to ensure that all identified and treated areas are within the agreed-upon natural range for the presence of mould, that the odor (if any) has not returned and all signs of mould and mould staining have been removed. (Our term for this is Restored Natural Environment Test, or RNET). Relative humidity levels and moisture levels in treated surfaces are checked, any repairs for water intrusion are inspected.

How does your company differ from the other mould remediation companies?

• We use new antimicrobial and antibiostatic technologies and products which allow us to (usually) save a wall or other structure by remediating the mould-tainted area instead of having to remove the entire substrate on which the mould is growing. Unless there is structural damage done to a wall or a supporting beam, it does not usually have to be replaced. The cost savings come about to the building owner from not having to lay out funds for significant replacement and rebuilding costs.
• We have an on-site portable lab for quality control testing of our products and processes at the beginning and end of the project. We ensure that our remediation efforts meet the agreed upon targets for mould presence which we committed to at the time the initial engagement letter was signed.
• Certified mould remediators are on-site managing/completing your project.
• We use approved anti-microbial / anti-biostatic products that have low toxicity for humans, but are very effective on the long-term suppression of mould growth.
• We advise the owner in advance of the possibility of additional hidden mould being discovered during the remediation process, and discuss this with the property owner prior to commencing the project. If additional mould is found during the project, requiring additional remediation work, this will be shown to the building owner, and a mutual agreement will be arrived at as to what course of action will be pursued in light of the new findings.

What can I expect a mould inspection company to do when its personnel arrive at my property?
If this is our first visit to your property, a full inspection will be conducted (an agreement prior to an inspection beginning would have always been presented to the client for discussion and approval first. If you wish to proceed to the inspection stage after such discussion, a formal agreement will be signed by both parties specifying the terms and scope of such inspection). Webring a portable lab with us to every jobsite. We use non-invasive testing where possible, but if the problem appears to be severe, then we use the latest in equipment to put miniature cameras behind walls (first drilling a small hole ) to inspect the area. (This is only done with the express permission of the client). We then take air samples from behind the wall, if deemed necessary. We ascertain if other contaminants are involved and try to find the source (or sources) for the problem:

• Is the mould caused by condensation or moisture intrusion or both? Fixing a leak may not address the only source of the problem.
• How far has it spread?
• Is there damage to the structural integrity of the building or is the problem only with staining and cosmetic issues?
• Are there other associated problems such as dust, dust mites or other allergens such as high indoor pollen counts, or even asbestos?

Then we give the homeowner an Inspection Report, which, among other items, details step by step, what needs to be done. This document can be used to help determine whether the building owner can perform the remediation work, or whether a professional firm within the industry is required.