Frequently Asked Questions
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MOLD | AIR QUALITY | ASBESTOS | OTHERS
Mold
Do You Provide Free Estimates?
After the telephone consultation, we can usually offer a reliable estimate.
How Do I Know If I Need Mold Inspections?
If mold is observed during a pre-purchase inspection, an Air-Labs report will help you understand the seriousness of the issue as well as offer details on potential sources and recommendations towards solutions.
How Long Does a Mold Inspection Take?
A typical inspection lasts between 1 and 2 hours depending on the size and scope of the mandate.
Is Mold Inspection Required Before Remediation?
It is in the client’s best interest to have a professional indoor air quality professional assess and make recommendations prior to a remediation project. This allows for a “before and “after” inspection that can properly document if an abatement project was successful or not. As well, as a third party Air-Labs can impartially make recommendations without risk of any conflict of interest.
Should I Have My Home Inspected for Mold Before I Put It up for Sale?
Yes. Too often home-sellers are called out by a house inspector for issues they could have easily resolved themselves. Do not lose a potential sale, and have an Air-Labs report on any hidden problems a home seller may not be aware of.
What Causes Mold to Grow?
Humidity in contact with a decomposable that doesn’t dry efficiently is the source of all mould. This includes issues created condensation, water damage or relative humidity. Usually, mold growth is propelled by a lack of ventilation, which is why often mould is a hidden problem.
What Does a Mold Inspection Report Look Like?
Our mold inspection reports typically include the following
- Lab results. All sampling of either the air, surfaces or bulk materials will be analyzed in our lab by a certified microbiologist. Using the direct microscopic method they will detect the type of mold represented in the sample as well as the concentration. All air samples will be compared to a control sample taken either outdoors or in a non-complaint area to assess if there is an elevated mold count. These results will be interpreted in the report with additional commentary to explain our findings.
- Humidity inspection. We will assess the environment and various surfaces for high humidity. Humidity is an important factor when inspecting for mold. We use the most advanced instruments to gather this crucial data and will help in diagnosing ant potential issues in the structure.
- Photos. Any pertinent visible manifestation will be represented on the written report with photographs to clearly demonstrate our findings and the work that was completed during the inspection process
- Conclusions and commentary. We will interpret and add commentary as well as final include conclusions and recommendations in the report to help guide our clients to a solution.
- Decontamination protocol. When we do find problems during one of our inspections we will end the report with a highly detailed protocol of decontamination. This is meant to guide the client or decontamination company with all the details to effectively and efficiently remove mold from the structure while employing the safest measures possible.
What Is Involved in Mold Inspection?
We begin with a telephone interview to understand the context and reason for the visit. On the inspection day, we will then walk through the area of concern with the client to assess the environment. Once the inspection begins our most commonly employed techniques include the following
- Infra red camera / thermal imaging: This technology allows us to detail unusual changes in surface temperatures to assess for leaks or condensation problems.
- Humidity meter: This instrument allows us to asses the moisture level at a depth beyond the surface. So if humidity is gathering behind said surface we can detect it and provide that percentage in the written report.
- Air compressor: Otherwise known as an air pump this allows us to sample the air with accuracy. The pump is carefully calibrated at the beginning of each inspection to offer our clients the most reliable results possible.
- Camera/Flashlight: To document our findings
- We will also employ instruments to gather data related to relative humidity, temperature, dew point, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.
When Buying a Home, What Should I Know If Black Mold Turned up During Inspection?
There may be a more serious issue at hand. Consult with Air-Labs who can help identify the reason for this manifestation.
When Should a Mold Inspection and Mold Testing Be Considered?
Before buying or selling a property.
When there has been water damage.
When you notice a musty, old, or damp odor.
If you notice chronic symptoms when present in the indoor environment.
When Should I Test for Mold?
Our moisture meters can detect if there is humidity inside the wall to help detect the source of the mold.
- A history of water damage inside the building or home
- Musty or “old” odor is present
- Respiratory/health symptoms persisting longer than two weeks
- Before purchasing home to protect your investment.
- After a renovation due to water damage, humidity or flooding: test your environment to ensure a job well done.
- If you suspect a problem in your domicile.
Air Quality
How Accurate Is Air Quality Testing?
Air-Labs will guide you towards the air quality inspection YOU need. Everyone’s circumstance is different and the accuracy of our testing ultimately means we need to test for the proper contaminant. As well, our inspections will include a holistic approach taking the entire building envelope into consideration always with solutions as our prime objective.
How Can You Improve Indoor Air Quality?
Air-Labs will help guide you towards the service and advice best suited to your specific needs. Indoor air quality can be affected by many types of contaminants. Indoor air can be impacted by mold, radon, asbestos, VOCs (chemicals), particulates, bacteria, viruses, allergens, and even outdoor pollution.
When Do I Need to Test My Indoor Air Quality (I.A.Q.)?
Efflorescence on your wall indicates a transfer of humidity from outside the foundation.
- Respiratory symptoms that persist longer than two weeks.
- When the structure has incurred water damage from flooding, leaking, infiltration or condensation
- Before purchasing or renting a property
- Unusual odors inside
- Settling a legal dispute.
- Breaking a lease
- To lift company morale/productivity
Asbestos
Do Home Inspections Check for Asbestos?
Air Labs provides asbestos inspections upon request. We provide a bulk sampling of walls, tiles, insulation and other materials that will detail what percentage of the material contains asbestos fibers. We also provide air quality inspections to screen for airborne asbestos fibers post abatement or pre-purchase.
Why Asbestos Inspection Is Important Before Refurbishment?
Refurbishing an indoor space requires the aggressive demolition of certain portions of the building. If any of these materials contain asbestos it will create a health hazard as asbestos fibers are released into the air. It is recommended to sample portions of the material beforehand to be aware of any potential asbestos in the materials so proper procedures can be employed.
Do Home Inspections Check for Asbestos?
Air Labs provides asbestos inspections upon request. We provide a bulk sampling of walls, tiles, insulation and other materials that will detail what percentage of the material contains asbestos fibers. We also provide air quality inspections to screen for airborne asbestos fibers post abatement or pre-purchase.
When Should I Test for Asbestos?
Older buildings have very likely been built using asbestos as a fire retardant. Now that asbestos has been identified as a major health risk we must pay close attention decaying materials, water damaged structure to ensure dangerous asbestos fibers don’t become released into the air, causing a health hazard.
Before any important demolition or renovation: ensure the construction materials do not contain asbestos, or suffer the risk of inhaling toxic asbestos fibers. We can sample a discreet section of the wall for analysis.
Decontamination is expensive and time consuming, test for asbestos as a precaution before selling or buying a home to ensure a real estate transaction free of hidden defects.
Others
What Can I Expect If I Hire Air-Labs?
First will conduct preliminary phone interview during which we will gather the important details of your concern.
Once we have assessed your needs we will propose to you the appropriate analysis and service for your approval and arrange for an inspection within a few days.
Upon arrival we will survey the environment in question gathering additional information.
Our inspections typically last 1-2 hours, the larger the area the longer the inspection.
Samples, readings and photos will then be taken and carefully observed during the inspection period. Air-Labs uses the most up to date, calibrated equipment and instruments to offer our clients the most accurate data possible.
Samples are then analyzed in our accredited laboratory by a microbiologist who will then prepare your results.
Your written report will then be prepared containing:
- Lab results
- Interpretation of those results
- All related data from our instrument readings.
- Photos to clearly identify of all problem areas
- Conclusion
- Recommendations
- Commnetary
- Referrals for additional work only if necessary.
Follow up telephone consultation available upon request.
What Other Contaminants Does Air-Labs Test For?
Air-Labs provides laboratory analysis, reports and consultation foe the following contaminants.
- Radon
- Chemicals
- VOCs
- Dust
- Particulates
- Fumes
- Smoke
- Formaldehyde
- Carbon Monoxide
- Carbon Dioxide
- Soot
- Ash
Children are more vulnerable to poor indoor air quality because their immune systems are not fully developed.
Why Should I Choose Air-Labs?
Air labs have been serving Southern Quebec for over fifteen years. Counting among its clients are Canada’s biggest retail chains, Montreal’s most popular sports teams, Quebec’s alcohol retail chain, hospitals, schools, production facilities, offices, and residences.
Air-Labs works strictly in air quality reports and does not do decontamination or remediation services, ensuring they have no conflict of interest.
A proud member in good standing of the:
- Indoor Air Quality Association (I.A.Q.A.),
- The Quebec Commercial Certification Office (Q.C.C.O.),
- International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate (I.S.I.A.Q.)
- Certified Mould Inspector (C.M.I)
- Certified Mold Assessor (C.M.A.)
- IAQ Training Institute Certificate in Mould Remediation (IAQTI)