Indoor Air Quality Testing
The air inside your home can contain contaminants that are not always visible or easy to identify. Indoor air quality testing can help determine whether airborne particles, mold spores, asbestos-containing materials, or other potential concerns are present and whether further investigation or remediation may be required.
Home Safe Inspection Services provides professional indoor air quality and environmental sampling for residential properties. Samples are collected using recognized sampling methods and submitted to EMSL Analytical Laboratories for independent laboratory analysis.
Air Sampling
Air sampling is completed using Air-O-Cell cassettes, which collect airborne particles and fungal spores from the indoor environment. Samples can be taken from individual rooms or multiple areas of the home depending on the concern.
Where appropriate, an outdoor control sample may also be collected to provide a comparison with indoor conditions.
Laboratory analysis can help identify and quantify fungal spores and other particulates present in the sampled air.
Air sampling may be useful when:
- There is a persistent musty or unusual odour
- Previous water damage or leakage has occurred
- Mold is suspected but not visibly present
- A basement, crawlspace, attic, or other area has experienced moisture problems
- You are purchasing a home with a history of moisture concerns
- You want additional information about indoor environmental conditions
Mold Testing
Mold testing can include both air sampling and surface sampling, depending on the conditions observed and the reason for testing.
Air samples can help determine what types and concentrations of mold spores are present in the indoor air.
Surface samples may be collected from visible staining, suspected mold growth, building materials, or other areas of concern. Surface testing can help identify whether observed material is fungal growth and determine the types of mold present.
Whenever possible, testing should be combined with an inspection for the underlying moisture source. Mold growth is generally the result of excessive moisture, leakage, condensation, or elevated humidity, and correcting the moisture source is an important part of addressing the problem.
Asbestos Testing
Many older building materials may contain asbestos. Visual inspection alone cannot confirm whether a material contains asbestos.
Samples can be collected from suspected materials and submitted to EMSL Analytical Laboratories for laboratory analysis.
Materials commonly tested may include:
- Drywall joint compound
- Plaster
- Ceiling texture
- Vinyl flooring and flooring adhesives
- Pipe insulation
- Vermiculite insulation
- Cementitious siding and panels
- Other older building materials
Testing is particularly important before disturbing or removing suspect materials during renovation or demolition work.
Independent Laboratory Analysis
Samples collected during testing are submitted to EMSL Analytical Laboratories for analysis. Laboratory testing provides documented results identifying the materials, particles, or fungal spores present in the samples.
Once laboratory results are received, Home Safe Inspection Services can review the findings with you and explain what the results mean in relation to the areas that were sampled.
When Should You Consider Testing?
Indoor air quality or environmental testing may be appropriate following water damage, unexplained staining, persistent odours, suspected mold growth, renovation of older homes, or when occupants simply want additional information about the condition of their indoor environment.
Testing can also be completed as part of a home inspection or arranged as a standalone service.
Schedule Indoor Air Quality Testing
If you have concerns about mold, indoor air quality, asbestos, or a specific material in your home, contact Home Safe Inspection Services to discuss the situation and determine the most appropriate type of sampling.
Testing options include Air-O-Cell air sampling, mold air and surface sampling, and asbestos material sampling with independent laboratory analysis through EMSL Analytical Laboratories.