When to do an air quality or mold test?

May 5th, 2021

People are thinking about safe and clean air more than usual during the pandemic. And while particles of the COVID-19 virus take the spotlight, there are other common pathogens that should be top of mind when considering indoor air quality. Residential, commercial and industrial air quality and mold tests are deemed an essential service and should not be pushed down on your priority list if you are concerned about the health and quality of the air that you are breathing at home or in the workplace. 

The team at Qualitam specialize in building inspections and testing for air quality and hazardous materials in the Greater Montreal Area. We’re commonly asked questions about indoor air testing: 

• What do you look for when testing indoor air? 
• How do I know if my indoor air is poor quality? 
• Can you find mold that isn’t readily visible? 
• When is it time to test for indoor air quality and mold? 

If you have any further questions about whether or not your home or business needs to be tested for air quality or mold, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always happy to answer your questions! 

What we look for during indoor air testing 

We monitor for various elements relating to your air when doing a site visit. These include, but aren’t limited to: 

• mold spores 
• asbestos 
• radon 
• dust 

• chemicals 
• CO and CO2 
• formaldehyde 
• other volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) 

After taking samples with our state-of-the-art equipment, a professional analysis is conducted at an accredited laboratory. We then explain the detailed report in language that’s easy to understand and provide suggestions for improving your air quality. 

How you can tell if you have poor indoor air quality 

Home and business owners are often surprised to learn that even in Canada, indoor air quality is sometimes lower than outdoor air. There are many more pollutants affecting indoor air quality than one might think, and these pollutants can have a serious effect on your health and wellbeing. 

Here are some common signs of poor air in a building: 

• odors 
• visible mold or other contaminants 
• water damage 

• condensation problems 
• excessive dust and other airborne particles 

Common symptoms of low indoor air quality can include: 

• fatigue or dizziness 

• coughing or sneezing 
• watery eyes 
• irritated eyes or skin 
• headaches 
• respiratory problems 

If you have noticed any of these physical signs of poor indoor air quality, it is time to have your air tested.  

We guarantee to find all traces of mold in your home 

There’s no sense in locating and treating some of the mold in a building. Mold spores spread, and the problem will just come back again. As such, it is vital to work with a company that can do a thorough job of locating every source and location of mold.  

From our years of experience, we have learned how to identify mold and its hiding places quickly and effectively. We can detect mold growth behind walls, ceilings and floors with tools such as humidity detectors and infrared cameras. We also look for airborne mold spores in our air quality testing. 

We’re sometimes asked why we don’t offer mold remediation services once we find the mold in homes and businesses. Simply put, we want our clients to be assured of non-biased services that don’t pose a conflict of interest.  

Now is the time to test for indoor air quality and mold 

If you suspect that you’re breathing in bad air at home or at work, don’t put off the call. Poor indoor air quality can have serious health effects and the problem won’t fix itself. Arm yourself with a clear understanding about the quality of your indoor air by booking an air quality test.  

The team of experienced Building Engineers, Building Inspectors, Hygienists and Microbiologists at Qualitam have been serving the greater Montreal region for over 20 years including the South Shore, the North Shore, the West Island and Laval. We help homeowners and business owners make informed choices about their indoor air quality and mold risks so that they can take steps towards better health, wellbeing and productivity.  

Reach out to Qualitam for an indoor-air inspection today, we’re here to help!