Air Quality Testing

Poor indoor air quality can be a big deal.  In North America, we spend a good proportion of our time indoors – in our air-sealed homes, in our climate-controlled offices, and cooped-up in our automobiles.  It’s partly because of our summer and winter extremes, but it has plenty more to do with our lifestyles.  Problem is, a variety of health issues can result from within these indoor environments, especially when the indoor air quality is second-rate.  And depending on contact and exposure, we could be talking about mild allergic reactions, respiratory and sinus afflictions, or just plain old lethargy and fatigue.

That’s where we come in – we’re Mould Hound, and we specialize in air quality testing and assessment.  We test the air you’re breathing inside your home, at the office, or inside your factory.  We’re well known in the industry for our comprehensive approach to testing and assessment:  we use hi-tech computerized instruments; thermal imaging techniques; certified laboratory analyses; and our now-famous Certified Mold Detection Dog.  When the assessment is complete, you receive a detailed report that specifies the compounds we tested, the levels we found, and the levels that should be present.

At Mould Hound, our indoor air testing is performed using the latest technologies available, and more importantly, the most experienced Certified Inspectors in the business.  They are all professionals, and understand the dynamics of indoor environments, as well as the mechanics of assessment and testing.  We test for airborne dust particles; building material chemicals; sewer gases, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide; and hidden mold and/or mold spores.  We’ll get to the bottom of your air quality issue, whether it’s a temperature and humidity problem, or a matter of poor air exchange (how well your home or office building is “breathing”).

Our tools and techniques have proven themselves successful for many years.  With our thermal imaging, for example, we’re able to explore behind walls, above ceiling cavities, and below the floors – if there’s something there, we’ll find it!  And if you’re suspecting hidden mold, we’ll call in our Certified Mold Detection Dog – he’s the ultimate specialist in sniffing out and detecting mold and/or mold spores that are hard to detect.  Ranger is actually Canada’s first Mold Detection Dog, having been expertly trained and certified by the Florida Canine Academy, and similar to police dogs who specialize in bomb detection and drug detection.

Mould Hound air quality inspections are not simplistic:  we don’t just do a visual overview, and we don’t just take a few air samples here and there.  Our inspectors are well trained, qualified, and proficient – they have specific expertise in air quality assessment and will identify the source, isolate the cause, and determine the extent of a problem.   It may be something as basic as poor air circulation; or it may be more complex, like off gassing fumes from chemicals found in building materials; or it may be a more common situation directly related to mold.  In each case, our inspectors use the appropriate diagnostics, and a host of testing techniques to achieve success.

Once the assessment process is complete, we’re not totally done - we continue with extensive laboratory tests in order to evaluate our findings.  Our aim is to clarify the underlying issues for our client; to fully report on the “big picture”; and to map out an action plan for remediation.  As for reporting, we are equally methodical and thorough, with reports that are detailed, easy-to-read and easy-to-understand.  You will have a comprehensive overview of your indoor air quality issue, with specifics on the gravity of the situation, the precise location of the problem, and the actual cause.  You may even discover things that you were not previously aware of.

Beyond assessing and testing, Mould Hound also provides a set of recommendations for remediation - the process where an experienced contractor undertakes to remedy a situation, either reversing or stopping the damage.  And depending on circumstances, we can provide clients with an itemized scope of work, and even a rough cost estimate.  In this way, clients can realistically make price comparisons between various contractors, and further compare the scope of work on an “apples to apples” basis.  We strongly believe that by providing this kind of quality data, clients can make informed, educated decisions about very important matters.

As it goes with every business, and in every commercial sector, price is a determining factor for consumers.  As usual, you get what you pay for – and unfortunately, some air quality assessors choose to compete on price only.  It makes the decision process for the consumer a little problematic.  Our state-of-the-art air testing equipment and instruments are expensive – and so are the skills training and education that keep our inspectors up to date with industry standards.  So clearly, we don’t compete on price.  But we do deliver excellent value for your dollar, and full satisfaction on your air quality assessment.  Whatever the issue, whether at home, in the office, or at your facility, we’ll get to the bottom of it.

It’s easy to see how Mould Hound is different from most of the air quality companies in Canada.  We insist on doing the most in-depth and exhaustive inspection/testing possible, so we don’t end up with false positives or false negatives – we just deliver accurate appraisals and precision results.  In addition, we use the most modern tools and technologies to evaluate everything from moisture intrusion, to air patterns, to relative humidity.  Mould Hound employs only the best inspectors and technicians in the industry, and uses only third party, independent laboratories in Canada and the US.  In fact, our assessment reports are defendable in a court of law.

On a final note, Mould Hound does not engage in remediation.  We are involved on a consultancy level only, and maintain our independence from the contractors who provide those specialized services.  This unique position allows us to be fully objective on a project, with the capacity to perform what we call Clearance Testing, which confirms for the client that the proper remedy has been implemented and the problems resolved.