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Mould Inspection in Australia

  • Posted by: Alex Wilkie

Mould can have a damaging effect on your home and on the people who live there. If you suspect moisture or mould problems in your home, it’s important to have a professional mould inspection as soon as possible.

Mould often occurs in hidden, hard to reach places, and can build up over time through no fault of your own. In addition to causing serious physical damage to buildings and belongings, mould can also affect the air quality and health of your family.

Early mould assessment, detection and removal is the key to a healthy home. The longer mould persists, the more difficult it is to remove.

House mould testing in Australia is the only way to accurately identify and remove mould growth from all areas of your home. IECL is the leading house mould testing and indoor air quality specialist in Australia. We provide comprehensive mould inspection and removal services, including indoor air quality testing and analysis.

How to Identify Mould

There are more than 150 different types of mould in Australian homes. Mould can take numerous forms, from a stain or discolouration in the walls to a gentle carpet fuzz. Mould can also grow in numerous places, which can make it difficult to detect and remove. Environments with mould growth can be smelly or musty, and are known to adversely affect people with asthma or allergies.

As mould is a living thing, it wants to grow and spread its territory.

In order to grow, mould needs the right temperature,the right food, and an adequate amount of moisture. Mould growth is common in attics and basements, with a lack of light helping to create the ideal conditions. Mould can use multiple building materials, and even personal belongings, as food, including insulation, wood, clothing, and stored books and other items. Mould can grow when it’s exposed to moisture, so it’s important to eliminate plumbing leaks or storm damage as soon as they occur.

Mould Can Affect Your Health

Mould can have a serious effect on your property and your health. At IECL, we specialise in professional mould air quality testing to ensure healthy living conditions for your family.

Along with settling on building materials, mould spores can be breathed in by your mouth and nose and affect sensitive internal organs. This can cause a number of mild to serious effects, from allergic reactions, sneezing, and headaches through to asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia. If you experience any of these symptoms, a professional mould inspection is advised.

Comprehensive Mould Inspection by IECL

If you’re concerned about a mould issue in and around your home, it’s important to carry out professional house mould testing as soon as possible.

Whether it’s a recent water leak, a strange smell, or visual signs of mould growth, there are lots of things that point towards a mould issue. As the leading mould inspection company in Australia, we know where to look and how to diagnose issues before they get out of hand.

We have access to a number of specialised tools for detecting mould in your house. Our advanced equipment enables air and surface mould collection and includes analysis capabilities. This means we can identify different types of mould, including black mould. Thermal imaging is also used as a non-invasive way to detect moisture, with a laser particle counter used to determine particulate levels and air quality.

At IECL, we have access to advanced equipment and can take readings for carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, temperature,humidity, and dew points, just to name a few. A qualified IECL technician will check your home and test your air for mould spores, gases, and toxic chemicals. After the inspection, we provide a complete report, with removal details and costs along with mould prevention tips.

If you would like to enquire or book a Mould Inspection, click here!

Professional Mould Inspection and Removal Services

Our qualified inspection service is focused on better indoor air quality and property protection. Our commitment to clean and healthy air is based on experience and professional responsibility, with our entire team having undergone extensive training and certification. As the Australian mould experts, we can catch and identify hidden mould growth patterns without disrupting your home or lifestyle. Visual and air-based mould are just two pieces of the puzzle, and our comprehensive report is also able to identify other allergens that affect your air quality.

Indoor Air Quality Check

Surface mould is often the tip of the iceberg, and an indoor air quality check is also needed to ensure a healthy home. Mould releases tiny spores into the air in an effort to colonise new territory, and these spores have a negative impact on air quality. A dedicated air quality check is the only way to identify and measure the level of the problem and pinpoint the type and amount of spores present.

Reasons for Mould Growth

Mould growth exists for numerous reasons, all of which can adversely affect your property and the health of your family:

Excessive moisture – High humidity and moisture are common reasons for mould problems. Whether it’s a flood or a leak, exposure to water, humidity, or condensation can start and restart mould growth patterns. You can reduce the amount of moisture in your kitchen, bathroom, or basement by installing adequate ventilation and dehumidifiers, as well as fixing plumbing leaks and airing out your home after a flood.

Insufficient ventilation – Mould thrives when there is lack of air to dry out water and moisture. Reduced foot traffic and ventilation often lead to mould, but opening windows or adding additional ventilation often makes a significant difference. Bathrooms can be a problem, as the water in sinks, showers, and toilets contributes to the moisture in the air.

Indoor Air Pollutants

Mould air quality testing is necessary in order to promote a healthy home. At IECL, we can test for numerous dangerous particles in addition to mould, including toxic chemicals, allergens, and household contaminants. Australians spend much of our time indoors at home, so it’s important to ensure healthy indoor air quality. IECL has the equipment and qualifications to detect the following pollutants:

  • Asbestos – Commonly used until fairly recently, asbestos can cause long term lung damage and mesothelioma as it breaks down. Asbestos is treated as a toxic waste, so it’s important to test for it before you carry out any renovations.
  • Black mould – This form of mould is truly dangerous and can affect the health of your entire family. Black mould is known to produce airborne poisons known as mycotoxins that can affect your brain, skin, lungs, eyes, and nose.
  • Formaldehyde – Useful as a preservation liquid, formaldehyde was also used as a preservative found in common household products. This known carcinogen breaks down quickly and can be absorbed by your body.
  • Lead paint-Lead paints are known to cause serious long term health issues when they break down and are absorbed into the bloodstream. Children and pregnant women are particularly at risk, with lead paint linked with a number of serious cognitive disabilities.
  • VOCs-These common gases are emitted from cleaning solutions and household agents. VOCs are often harmful, and long-term exposure often leads to irritation and is known to affect your internal organs and central nervous system.

How to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

With a few simple changes, you can improve your indoor air quality and enhance the health of your home and family:

  • Change heating and cooling filters – The filters in your heating and cooling system are designed to catch dust and other particles. It’s important to change your filters every three months to reduce household exposure.
  • Clean up your home – A clean house is the basis of a healthy home. Sweeping up and vacuuming your home followed by damp mopping is the best way to reduce the accumulation of dangerous particles in and around your home.
  • Clean your air ducts – Air ducts can easily collect dust and air pollutants, and what’s more, they actively recirculate them around your home. It’s important to clean your ducts in order to enhance the health of your home.
  • Open the windows for fresh air – Adequate ventilation is important to prevent the buildup of mould levels inside your house, and to ensure levels remain similar to those of the outdoor environment.
  • Use advanced HEPA filters – HEPA filters are common on vacuum cleaners, and can also be installed in home air conditioning systems to reduce pollutants. If you live near a highway or industrial area, an advanced HEPA system can greatly reduce airborne pollutants.
  • Add plants for a green home – Houseplants are cheap, readily available, and able to improve your indoor air quality. According to a NASA study, some indoor plants can even rid your home of pollutants like benzene and formaldehyde.
  • Eliminate toxic products – From cleaning products through to air fresheners, the sweet smell of commercial cleaning products is normally backed by harmful VOCs and other particles. Open the windows to freshen up your home, and use natural cleaning products with no nasty ingredients

Health Problems Due to Mould and Indoor Air Pollution

There are numerous health problems caused by mould and other indoor pollutants:

  • Headaches – Headaches can be the result of poor ventilation, VOCs, household mould, toxic products and more.
  • Skin problems – A range of skin problems are known to result from toxins, including skin infections, irritation, and rashes.
  • Lung problems – Our respiratory system is widely affected by mould and air pollution, including bacteria, VOCs, and dust particles.
  • Fatigue – Fatigue and other unexplained conditions may be the result of exposure to common indoor air pollutants.
  • Chronic colds and flus – Allergies and other common reactions to mould and pollutants often present similar to colds and flus.

The IECL Advantage

IECL provides a range of professional mould inspection and air quality services for Australian residents. Our qualified and knowledgeable team understand the intricate details of mould growth and indoor air quality testing and know how to find solutions that work in Australian conditions.
If you’re looking for trusted mould inspection in Australia, please get in touch with us at 1300 032 004.

Click here for our Mould Inspection service!