1. Mould Inspection

The first step is to have a mould inspection done. The purpose is to determine both the cause and the extent of the problem. For more information on why mould testing is required [more]

2. Mould Remediation

The actual clean-up and removal of the mould. There are many methods that are employed in the industry. A mould inspection will assist you in determining which method would be most suitable for your particular problem. For more information on the types of remediation available .... moret.

Although there are hundreds of thousands of species of moulds, there are typically only about 30 or so species that commonly appear on wet building materials in the Vancouver and Fraser Valley areas.
Of these, all are considered to be allergenic and/or toxic.

The colour of the mould is not a factor in determining toxicity. There are many toxic varieties of moulds that are white, green, brown as well as the most infamous "toxic black mould".

The notorious "Toxic Black Mould" most commonly referred to on mould inspections and remediation web sites is a variety called Stachybotrys Chartarum. This mould is a species that gives off a variety of mycotoxins and related trichoverroids. A mycotoxin (from Greek (mykes, mukos) "fungus" and Latin (toxicum) "poison") is also produced by several other species. And while Stachybotrys Chartarum gives off mycotoxins well documented for causing health problems, called Macrocyclic trichothecenes and another one called satratoxins, many other commonly found fungal species do so as well.

Some moulds produce known carcinogens that are given off via off-gassing or inhalation of spores.

Health Canada and numerous other government and health officials all tend to agree on one fact - If there appears to be mould growth, regardless of the species, you should limit your exposure and take appropriate measures to safely remove it.

Given the right circumstances, with water, temperature, relative humidity and a suitable substrate (surface) visible mould colonies can begin to form in as little as 24 hours. Fast growing, opportunistic fungal colonies such as Aspergillus sp. and Penicilium sp. are usually among the first to appear. Both of these genus are notorious for causing allergic reactions or sinus irritation.

Moulds such as Stachybotrys chartarum are amongst the slower growing moulds. This is one of the moulds commonly identified as the cause of Toxic Building Syndrome. This mould usually prefers areas with chronic moisture problems and low ventilation. Behind baseboards and inside previously flooded wall cavities are a typically suited environment for Stachybotrys chartarum. Given the correct conditions, visible colonies can begin to appear in about a week, but depending upon the moisture levels, may take much longer.

A timeline for mould growth

One question that we are frequently asked is whether or not we can determine the exact time and date that the mould began to grow. Usually, homeowners want to establish a critical timeline for an insurance claim or workmanship, to prove or disprove a theory.

Unfortunately, this is the one question that cannot be answered. Nor can an inspection prove that mould was not present in an area before a particular event unless the inspection takes place within 24 hours of the event.

In some cases, a mould inspection could discover information that could even be detrimental to your case.

For example, a basement jacuzzi overflowed. The Insurance company sent out a restoration company to dry out the area. Upon arrival the following morning, the restoration company noted that along with some substantial flooding, there was mould and mushrooms growing along the carpet and baseboard in that room. Photographs of the area were taken.

As this company was on site within a few hours, they determined that the mould was a pre-existing condition and the insurance company declined the claim for mould remediation. This would be a reasonable assumption, as these mushrooms would take about 5- 9 days to grow. Also if mushrooms were present, then this would indicate that the correct growing conditions existed for other moulds to grow, even before the plumbing event.

The homeowner called us in for an inspection several months later. She wanted us to establish that mould was not a pre-existing condition. At this point, the room had been cleaned and dried. However, we found there was mould in that same area and in the adjacent room. Therefore, based on the mould that was currently present, we could not report that mould did not exist previously. The conditions in the basement were conducive to fungal growth at the time of the inspection and there was no evidence to show that conditions had changed. Therefore, we could not prove her claim. The assumptions made by the restoration company was correct.

A mould inspection is never able to determine an exact time or date for mould amplification. This is why getting an inspection done as soon as possible is important if you are trying to establish timelines. The inspection company can only comment on the evidence as it is, not what may or may not have been there previously.