How a mould inspection works
Have you been suspecting something is up with your health while you are at home, or you are not sure what is going on with visible mould you’ve spotted in your home?
A mould inspection by a certified mould testing technician may be the proof you need to take the next step for your health and home.
Mould is estimated to negatively impact up to 50% of homes in Australia. It grows where there is a source of moisture – places where you might spend a lot of time, like in the ceiling of a leaking roof in your living room, in the cracked tiles in the shower, or even in the dust settled throughout your home. Mould often hides and may be in places you cannot see. A trained professional knows where to look.
Given 24% of the population will experience adverse health effects from exposure to some mycotoxins (the bad things mould produce, which make us sick when inhaled or ingested), it is critical to reduce the amount of mould in your home. Working out where the moisture is coming from, and removing any mould spores is essential for a healthy home.
Not all people conducting mould testing may use the same process, but here is how I work:
How is mould testing done?
A certified mould Testing Technician utilises an array of equipment, sampling methods and visual inspections to test for moisture and mould in a home. First up, your mould testing technician will get you to complete a questionnaire to help gain an understanding of the property history and how your health may be impacted by any mould. Once at your property, they will conduct a thorough visual inspection and use thermal imagery and moisture mapping to locate moisture.
Special mould sampling techniques are used to determine the presence of specific mould types, the extent of the spread of mould, and gives an indication of what the occupants are exposed to. Interestingly, these results often line up to other tests clients have had – for example, a urine mycotoxin test will often show mycotoxins produced by the moulds found in the sampling!
How to test for mould in a house?
Sampling methods to test for mould during an inspection will include air sampling and surface sampling. The samples are sent to a specialist laboratory for assessment by trained microbiologists.
Air sampling is performed with specialised equipment, with a sample of the outdoor conditions taken and compared to that of the chosen indoor areas. The spore counts from these samples helps give an indication of how far mould has spread throughout the home, and what you may be exposed to while spending time indoors.
Surface sampling for mould spores is done by either a tape lift sample or a swab sample. What we are looking for in these mould samples are the spores, the genera of mould present, and the quantities. This data helps determine the presence of certain types of moulds, the extent of the growth and damage.
How do inspectors check for mould?
The combination of a visual inspection, moisture mapping and mould sampling helps to determine how mouldy a building is. Most importantly, it helps to determine how a building may be influencing the occupants health, and how the mould issue in the home can be fixed.
Which profession removes mould from buildings?
Mould removal is also referred to as mould remediation.
Once mould has been found in a property, and it is determined a remediation needs to occur, it is important to find a certified professional to undertake the remediation. IICRC certified mould remediation companies are the gold standard for removing mould in buildings in Australia. Your mould inspector will be able to refer you to the most suitable professionals once the mould inspection has been completed.
How much does mould removal cost?
The cost of mould removal varies depending on the extend of the damage. A small water event with minimal damage may require only a few hours of a remediators time, requiring you to cover the labour – from a few hundred dollars. A severe water damage event and/or a long-term mould issue may require specialised drying equipment and labour to remove mouldy, contaminated materials. This process can range from anywhere around $7 000 to upwards of $50 000, depending on the size of the property.
How much does a mould assessment cost?
The cost of a mould inspection in a residential building varies by the size of the home to the extent of the damage. Mould inspections in Tasmania, conducted by Bronwyn, start at $450 for a 1-bedroom apartment, plus the cost of sampling at $150 per sample. See the services page for more detail about how much your mould inspection may cost.
Keep in mind, these mould assessments are very thorough. Detailed recommendations and referrals are provided as part of the service, and detailed mould reports for use with 3rd parties such as insurance companies or landlords can be provided in addition to the assessment.
Can I get a detailed mould inspection report?
Clients often request comprehensive, detailed reports of their mould inspection. The good news is these reports can be used with third parties such as insurance companies when you want to make a claim (it is beneficial to get a third party to conduct the assessment too – don’t rely just on your insurance companies’ inspection!). Also, you can use them for sending to your landlord or property manager to force them to act on a mould issue in your rental. Inspection reports may hold the evidence you need to take to break that contract or get that storm damage covered by your policy!
There is nothing I want more for my clients than for them to be able to live in a healthy home, free from health hazards.
If you would like to book a mould assessment or claim your FREE 15-minute call with Bronwyn, please book here.
Bookings are being taken for mould testing in Hobart, Huonville, Launceston, Devonport and beyond.