Mold Inspection

Mould Hound is a full service mold inspection company.  Reliable and trustworthy, we are specialists in the inspection, detection and testing of indoor mold.  We help our clients to understand the complexities of mold, while we inspect and test the home, the office, or the factory.  In the final steps, we recommend a course of action for resolving the matter.  We want our customers to be well informed, so they can make the right decisions, based on the most fact-based and objective conclusions presented by our Certified Inspectors.

Mold can be a tricky proposition to deal with – that’s why it’s important to hire a company that specializes – a company that has the tools and technologies, and the experienced personnel to deliver results.  Mold can actually grow behind the walls, above the ceilings and underneath the floors, and it does so without even showing its face.  It’s a natural fungus, but can have serious health consequences for humans and animals, depending on the levels of exposure.  There are countless symptoms that might arise on exposure to mold:  simple skin rashes; sinus irritation and nosebleeds; itchy and/or watery eyes; respiratory difficulties; even on-going migraine headaches.  And in some cases, mold can be extremely toxic – a strain like stachybotrys chartarum can cause havoc to inhabitants who are exposed.

Needless to say, at Mould Hound, we understand the world of mold – we recognize the unique characteristics, we know all about growth patterns, and we’re experienced with spores and how they spread.  Beyond that, we make use of the latest in technology, precision instruments, and comprehensive lab testing – all in an effort to complete a thorough and comprehensive mold inspection.  While so many companies focus on basic inspections (sometimes only visual), we don’t think it’s enough, because we want see the so-called big picture.  Our experience over the years has shown that the majority of indoor mold growth is hidden, so a basic visual overview is just not enough.

If you've had a chronic water leak, or a flood that was not properly cleaned up, you might well have the perfect environment that promotes mold growth.  If you have excess indoor condensation, or high levels of humidity, this too can promote mold.  The worst thing is that mold is not always visible, or for that matter, detectable.  In fact, many types of mold do not emit that musty odor that we recognize automatically.  Without a scent, and with no visible signs, mold detection is problematic - another good reason for hiring a company that specializes.   At Mould Hound, we are proud of our exhaustive inspection process, and equally proud of the assessments we generate.

Throughout the industry, many mold inspection companies compete on PRICE – its attractive for the consumer, but it’s not our style.  We put a lot more emphasis on the quality of our inspections, with a systematic and thorough approach, and with diagnostic instruments to do the job right.  We identify the location of the mold, the volume and extent of an affected area, and the potential hazards to inhabitants. Whether it’s your home, office or factory, we only use qualified professional inspectors, specialists in their field and experts in the industry.  But we also use a unique “low-tech” approach to inspection - it’s our Certified Mould Detection Dog - Ranger.  Similar to traditional bomb sniffing dogs, or dogs that detect drugs, Ranger has been formally trained to sniff out mold, making a valuable contribution to our team.

In recent years, industry guidelines have been developed to encompass mold inspection, assessment, and remediation, all in an effort to create standards for service providers.  The truth is, mold detection and removal is not a do-it-yourself project for the weekend – it’s serious stuff, and best handled by inspection specialists who have the right tools, the proper equipment and the experience and expertise.  When we carry out a mold inspection, we presupposethat mold already exists, and that some kind of associated hazard has presented itself.  Our inspectors always take precautions to protect everyone’s safety:  workers, residents, and occupants alike.  They protect their skin and eyes, and depending on hazard levels, they may decide that a specific area may require containment.

In Canada, both Health Canada and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation encourage the general public to hire accredited air quality inspectors who specialize in mold.  Consumers should make informed choices, and should use certified professionals, employed by reputable companies, and using sophisticated, hi-tech testing equipment and instruments.  In addition to offering an in-depth inspection process, the company should also be able to propose an action plan for the safe elimination of the mould.

At Mould Hound, our thorough inspection and assessment process includes, amongst other procedures, the collection of air samples (and mold samples); a determination of the specific lab tests that would be required; decisions on where the air samples would be tested; and preparation of a detailed report and summary.  Our final report to clients includes the overall specifics of the case; the severity of the situation itself; and the precise location and cause of the mold issue.  We prepare easy-to-read, easy-to-understand reports, and include remediation recommendations for resolving the issue.  We do not, in principle, engage in the remediation step, and remain involved with clients on a consultancy level only – it allows us to maintain an independence from the remediation contractors, who are the ones to provide those kinds of specialized services.  This is a unique position in the industry, but it allows us to be fully objective on a project, and further allows us to make impartial recommendations to our clients.  In this capacity, we can perform the Clearance Testing in the post assessment phase, where we can corroborate for the client that the proper remedy has been implemented and the problems resolved.

There’s really nothing like a full service approach to mold inspection, and Mould Hound insists on doing the job right the first time.  This is not a time to cut corners or save money, especially when the health and wellbeing of family or co-workers is involved.  This si a time to get to the bottom of the issue, evaluate, and resolve.