Where does mould testing fit your project?
Pick the closest match. Each one shows how we handle that kind of job, then you can go deeper or book a visit.
For homeowners: Mould Testing
Work planned around the house you live in, with the rest of the home kept livable where possible.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For an insurance claim: Mould Testing
We document the work so your insurer can see what was found and what was done.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For commercial buildings: Mould Testing
Scheduled around an occupied business and built to the commercial code and the building use.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For condos and multi-unit buildings: Mould Testing
Coordinated with the building, the board and the access rules.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For rental properties: Mould Testing
Planned for durability, tenant turnover and a schedule that keeps the unit available.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
Mould Testing
Know what is in the air and the walls before you decide what to do next.
What it is
Mould testing samples the air and surfaces in your home so you know what is there, where it is and how serious it is. It is useful when you can smell mould but cannot see it, after a leak, before buying a home, or when someone in the house has symptoms that might be linked to the air.
Testing does not replace remediation. It tells you what to fix and gives you a record to show a contractor, an insurer or a buyer.
How it works
- Walk the propertyWe look for moisture, staining and the likely source before we take any samples.
- Take samplesAir and surface samples are taken where they will tell us the most about the problem.
- Lab resultsSamples go to an accredited lab. We review the results with you in plain language.
- Your planYou get a written summary of what we found and the next step, with no obligation to proceed.
What we look at
Air sampling
Shows what is circulating in the room. Useful for odour and symptom questions.
Surface sampling
Shows what is growing on specific materials, such as drywall, wood or insulation.
Source check
Finds the moisture behind the problem. Testing without fixing the cause does not last.
Decision 1: Where mould testing is used
Mould testing is used when the smell or the staining is there but the source is not clear, before buying a home, after water damage, and when occupants have symptoms.
| Situation | What is tested | What matters most |
|---|---|---|
| Smell or staining, source unknown | Surfaces and air | Finding the source |
| Before buying | Visible and hidden areas | The condition before the offer |
| After water damage | Affected materials and air | Whether the drying worked |
| Occupant symptoms | Air in the rooms used most | Where the exposure is |
Our pick: Test when the source is unclear. When the source is visible, the remediation can start without it.
Decision 2: Visual inspection first
The inspection starts with the building, the moisture and the staining. The visual check shapes where the samples are taken.
| Check | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Moisture readings | Where water has been and is |
| Staining and growth | Visible mould and its extent |
| Airflow and ventilation | How spores move through the house |
Our pick: Inspect before you sample. The samples should answer the question the inspection raised.
Decision 3: Sample types and methods
Surface samples, tape lifts and air samples each answer a different question. The right mix depends on the building and the concern.
| Sample | Method | Answers |
|---|---|---|
| Tape lift or swab | Surface sample from the material | What is growing on the surface |
| Bulk sample | Piece of the material sent to the lab | What species and how deep |
| Air sample | Air cassette, timed | What is in the air |
Our pick: Use surface samples for the source and air samples for exposure. One does not replace the other.
Decision 4: Reading the lab results
Results are read against an outdoor control and the source. A high count in one area points to the source there.
| Result | What it suggests |
|---|---|
| Indoor much higher than outdoor | A source inside the home |
| Indoor similar to outdoor | Background, no indoor source |
| High count in one room only | Source in that room |
Our pick: Read the result against the control. The source is where the count is highest.
Decision 5: Finding the moisture source
Mould follows moisture. The test is only useful if the moisture source is found, because a test alone does not stop the growth.
| Source | Check |
|---|---|
| Leak in the envelope | Flashing, windows, roof |
| Condensation | Ventilation and insulation |
| Plumbing leak | Supply and drain lines |
Our pick: Find the moisture source with the test. Mould returns if the moisture stays.
Decision 6: Safety during testing
Sampling should not disturb the growth. Samples are taken carefully, and the area is kept closed until the results are read.
| Risk | Action |
|---|---|
| Disturbing the growth | Sample without opening the material |
| Occupants in the room | Kept out during sampling |
| Spreading spores | Containment and cleaning after sampling |
Our pick: Sample without disturbing. A test that spreads spores makes the problem worse.
Decision 7: Documenting the findings
The report records the locations, the samples, the results and the source. It is the document for the remediation, the insurer or the buyer.
| Item | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Sample map | Where each sample was taken |
| Lab results | The measured results |
| Source finding | What is causing the growth |
Our pick: Keep the source finding with the report. The remediation depends on it.
Decision 8: Permits and disclosure
Mould testing itself needs no permit. Remediation may need a permit and the owner may need to disclose the finding in a sale.
| Item | Check |
|---|---|
| Testing | No permit |
| Remediation | Permit depends on scope |
| Sale | Disclosure rules apply |
Our pick: Know the disclosure rules before a sale. The report is the evidence.
Decision 9: Coordination with the remediation
The test report becomes the scope for the remediation. The remediation is then cleared with a clearance test.
| Stage | Test |
|---|---|
| Before remediation | Baseline and source |
| After remediation | Clearance test |
| After rebuild | Recheck if needed |
Our pick: Test before and after. The clearance test is what proves the remediation worked.
Decision 10: After-care and recheck
Mould can return if the moisture returns. A recheck after the first heavy season shows whether the source stayed fixed.
| Item | What to do |
|---|---|
| Moisture | Controlled and checked |
| Ventilation | Kept running in damp areas |
| Recheck | After the first heavy season |
Our pick: Control the moisture and recheck after the first heavy season.
Questions
Do I need testing before remediation?
Not always. If the mould is visible and the cause is clear, we can often move straight to remediation. Testing helps when the cause or extent is unclear, or when you need a record.
How long do results take?
It depends on the lab. We will confirm the timing when we book your visit.
Will you test my whole house?
We test the areas that matter for your question. We will tell you what we recommend when we walk the property.
Related: Mould RemediationInspect & TestAll restoration