Our Services
We offer an extensive range of services, from inspecting your home, rapid & accurate sample testing with our world class partner laboratory and remediation of any mold problems discovered. Safety is our number one priority. We work safely and strive to create a safe environment for every client. We never cut corners or take shortcuts.
Your satisfaction is our only priority.
Inspect
A four-letter word that causes fear and panic in any property owner or household, Mold. Mold is everywhere and we all breath it in daily and is essential on our planet. While it is not the prettiest thing to look at, it impacts people and structures very differently. Mold can be a cause for concern in the health and wellbeing of you, your family, and your property if discovered and left unattended.
Mold doesn’t need much to begin to grow, show or become a problem; add in some water, food, and oxygen and it can take over! Removing one of these three stops this organism from living. This is most often moisture. Often the smallest of leaks can begin this process and quickly spiral out of control with some species of mold beginning to form in 48-72 hours under the right conditions, which is why it can catch people off guard and causes that panic we wrote about above.
Our tip is Don’t panic! If you suspect or think you have a mold problem, please don’t think the worst, and the best advice is to hire a professional to come examine, determine a cause, and provide solutions. The technicians at North Sound Mold Solutions have been trained and certified in inspecting, testing, and remediating mold. We understand airflow and moisture and how it can lead to other issues, including mold. Let us take the panic out of your vocabulary and allow us to put a plan in place to get you, your family and your home free of this four-letter word.
Test
Recent medical studies show that mold is one of the most common causes of allergic symptoms and certain types of molds can cause health disorders. While no visible mold may be present, people with existing health issues or concerns, those that may be immunocompromised may just desire an air test to ensure nothing is present in their air that may impact their health and well-being.
North Sounds Mold Solutions provides mold testing services. These can include air sampling or contact (swab) testing. We then send your samples overnight to our lab for analysis.
Obviously if you have a condition like this photo, testing will only tell us what we know to be true, you have mold. In a case like this proper repairs, moisture control and remediation would take place followed up by clearance, or post remediation testing to verify the mold has been removed.
If a structure has visible mold, a strong musty odor, moisture problems, or high humidity problems, mold sampling should be completed. Our technicians can perform an Indoor Air Quality test or take Surface Samples to determine types of mold present, amount of mold present, and if any health risks exist. Samples are sent priority overnight to our professional laboratory in Florida, PriorityLab, for analysis by a PhD Mycologist and a report will be issued in 1-3 business days. A simple to read PDF report is prepared by the lab outlining any issues.
We know mold testing can be confusing! Please read about the different types of testing North Sound Mold Solutions offers!
Air Sampling – Indoor Air Quality
Air Sampling captures the air within the room by drawing it across a sticky media inside a cassette (Air-O-Cell or another mold cassette). This cassette is attached to a calibrated pump that will pull a specific amount of air (in liters) through the cassette for a set time (standard is 10 minutes). This sticky media is then analyzed by the lab to determine the spore type, and quantity. All homes have mold, it is just a fact, but it can be the type and amount that is a cause for concern. Absent a visible moisture condition, determining where an elevated count came from can be difficult and take time, require more sampling, measurements and sometimes some more invasive testing or deconstruction. Inside a home we generally start with a 3-cassette test method if there is no current visible mold condition. This involves 1 outdoor base sample and 1 per floor, or 1 for every 800-1000 square feet. If additional samples are needed, that will be determined by the technician upon arrival. Additional charges apply above the 3-sample base price.
Air testing is a viable method to determine what is in the air you are breathing and can help those with allergies or other health concerns. Contact North Sound Mold Solutions for a quote or test today.
Contact (Swab) Testing
If visible mold is present in the home, the North Sound Mold Solutions technician can take a surface sample at the area in question. Surface testing includes one physical sample taken at the affected area. We will also use moisture meters at these areas to determine if wet/damp at the time of testing. If multiple affected areas are present, additional samples may be needed for accuracy.
A surface test will tell you:
What types of harmful indoor molds, if any, are present in the test area. If any spore exposure risks are present for the occupants due to mold growth. If the area is “current growth” or “former growth” caused by water intrusion or humidity problems.
Surface testing is recommended when:
There is visible or suspected mold present.
An area that has had previous clean up or removal of mold (post clearance testing).
Remediate
Understanding the Mold Remediation Process
Every mold damage scenario is different and requires a unique solution, but the general mold remediation process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate the “typical” process:
Step 1: Emergency Contact
The mold cleanup and restoration process begins when you call us. Our specialist will ask a series of questions to help us determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel.
Step 2: Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
NORTH SOUND will carefully inspect your property for visible signs of mold. Mold feeds on cellulose and water and can be hidden from plain view. We use various technologies to detect mold and hidden water sources.
Step 3: Mold Containment
We'll use various containment procedures to prevent the spread of mold. We may use an advanced containment procedure, like a negative air chamber, to isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process. All fans and heating and cooling systems may be turned off to prevent the spread of mold.
Step 4: Air Filtration
Specialized filtration equipment allows us to capture microscopic mold spores out of the air. We utilize powerful “air scrubbers” and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in process.
Step 5: Removing Mold and Mold-Infested
Materials
The mold remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears. NORTH SOUND uses antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to eliminate mold colonies and to help prevent new colonies from forming. Removing and disposing of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and carpeting, may be necessary to remediate heavy mold growth.
Step 6: Cleaning Contents and Belongings
We also may clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, clothing, and other restorable items affected by mold. We'll use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize your belongings. We're also trained to remove odors and deodorize using fogging equipment and other methods.
Step 7: Restoration
Depending on the level of mold damage, drywall, subfloors, and other building materials may be removed. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.
