Tag: home for sale mold in attic

Why a Certificate of Decontamination Matters: Peace of Mind and Proof of Professionalism
When dealing with issues like mold, rodent infestations, or bacterial and contaminant problems in Duncan, Cowichan, Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Port Alberni, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River or anywhere on Vancouver Island. , addressing the problem is only part of the solution. Knowing that the work was done thoroughly and professionally is just as critical. That’s where Pacific Decontamination Services sets itself apart by providing a Certificate of Decontamination after every project. This document is more than a formality—it’s your assurance of a job well done and a valuable resource for future needs. Our Certificate of Decontamination has been successful on allowing real estate deals to continue and been accepted as proof of remediation – especially with home inspectors identifying suspected mold on the roof sheathing of attics.

What is a Certificate of Decontamination?

The Certificate of Decontamination is a detailed document issued upon the completion of a remediation project. It outlines:
- The steps taken to address the contamination issue.
- The threats neutralized, whether chemical, biological, or both.
- The scope of the work performed, ensuring transparency and accountability.
This certificate applies to a range of services, including mold remediation in attics, crawl spaces, and residences, as well as rodent infestation cleanup or bacterial decontamination.

Benefits of Having a Certificate of Decontamination
1. Proof of Professionalism
  The certificate serves as an official record that the remediation work was performed by skilled professionals. It confirms that proper protocols were followed and that the affected area is safe and clean.
2. Peace of Mind
  Dealing with mold or contaminants can be stressful. Having a certificate that outlines the measures taken provides reassurance that the issue has been resolved effectively. You can trust that your home or workspace has been restored to a safe condition.
3. Compliance and Documentation
  For properties under inspection or sale, the Certificate of Decontamination is often a requirement. It demonstrates to potential buyers, tenants, or inspectors that the problem has been remediated to professional standards.
4. Transparency and Detail
  The certificate provides clarity about the scope of work performed. Whether it’s mold removal, rodent waste cleanup, or disinfecting bacteria-laden areas, the document gives a clear picture of what was done and why.
5. Long-Term Assurance
  Even after the work is done, having detailed documentation on hand is valuable. It can help address any questions or concerns that might arise in the future about the property’s history or the quality of the remediation efforts.
Why Choose Pacific Decontamination Services?

At Pacific Decontamination Services, customer satisfaction and safety are our top priorities. Our Certificate of Decontamination reflects our commitment to transparency, professionalism, and thoroughness. Whether you’re dealing with mold, a rodent infestation, or other contaminant issues, we ensure that the work is completed to the highest standards—and provide documentation to prove it.

Our Services

A Certificate of Decontamination is more than a piece of paper—it’s a testament to the quality and care taken in addressing your contamination issues. With Pacific Decontamination Services, you not only get the expertise to handle complex problems but also the peace of mind and proof that the job was done right.

Take the worry out of remediation—choose Pacific Decontamination Services and rest easy knowing you’re in good hands

What Can You Do? We Can Neutralize Your Mold or Rodent Infestation!

In most situations, Pacific Decontamination Services can neutralize your mold up 99.99999%. If our spray, fog or foam can touch it, we can neutralize it. Our services come at a fraction of the cost as compared to the expensive approaches like soda / dry ice blasting, hepa vacuuming, scrubbing, removal of insulation and deconstruction and reconstruction of the attic and roof.

We neutralize the mold, or bacteria in your attic, crawl space, home, building, vehicle, or property by applying our eco-friendly, safe chemical on all surfaces and airborne, focusing our efforts on the visible mold areas. Depending on the job, we apply our formula by spray, mist, foam, or fog. We further kill all airborne mold spores in your attic. The average time of our on-site service is approximately one hour. An additional four hours is required to achieve maximum effectiveness. We ask that you stay out of the attic for approximately 5 hours in total. Read more about how we work.

Pacific Decontamination Services uses the world’s strongest, most effective and safe antimicrobial disinfectant, deodorization and chemical decontaminate. Our professional application will eliminate up to 99.99999% of any allergen, germ, bacteria or fungus that it touches. AND as powerful as it is, it is also completely safe.

What do you do next? How do you solve the challenge of mold and associated health hazards?

Call Pacific Decontamination Services at 778-269-0208 or email us at our email address: contact @ pacificdecon dot com

Serving All of Vancouver Island: Victoria, Cowichan, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, and Port Alberni.
November 27, 2024
The Case for Leaving Mold Staining on Attic Roof Sheathing: Cosmetic Considerations Post-Decontamination
The discovery of mold in the attic can be a cause for concern for homeowners in Duncan, Cowichan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Port Alberni, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River and Vancouver Island, triggering a cascade of worries about structural integrity, indoor air quality, and the overall health of a home. However, in certain scenarios, leaving mold staining on roof sheathing in an attic after decontamination may be a reasonable and pragmatic choice. In this blog, we’ll explore why cosmetic considerations post-decontamination could lead homeowners to embrace the idea of retaining mold staining as a part of their attic’s history.

Understanding Cosmetic Mold Staining:

Mold staining on attic roof sheathing is often a visual aftermath of a prior mold infestation. Once the mold has been neutralized through decontamination, the staining becomes more of a cosmetic issue rather than an active threat to the structure or occupants’ health.

Reasons to Consider Leaving Mold Staining:
1. Structural Integrity Preserved:
1. If the mold infestation has been effectively neutralized, and subsequent inspections confirm the structural integrity of the attic’s roof sheathing, the need for aggressive removal diminishes. In such cases, leaving the staining may not compromise the overall stability of the structure.
1. Cost-Efficiency and Budget Considerations:
1. Complete removal of mold staining can be a costly endeavor. Homeowners facing budget constraints might find that prioritizing decontamination over thorough stain removal is a practical choice, especially when the staining is not affecting the attic’s functionality or aesthetics significantly.
1. Hidden or Less Visible Areas:
1. Attic spaces, particularly the roof sheathing, may not be readily visible or accessible. If the staining is confined to areas that are not part of the living space and do not impact the overall appearance of the home, homeowners might choose to focus on decontamination while accepting the cosmetic remnants.
1. Environmental Sustainability:
1. Aggressive removal methods often involve the use of chemicals (many times corrosive chemicals with VOC’s) and can contribute to environmental impact. Opting to leave mold staining aligns with a more sustainable approach, minimizing resource consumption and reducing the ecological footprint associated with remediation.
In conclusion, leaving mold staining on roof sheathing in an attic after decontamination can be a valid choice, particularly when the mold has been neutralized, and the staining is deemed cosmetic. Homeowners should carefully consider factors such as structural integrity, budget constraints, environmental sustainability, and the overall visibility of the staining when making this decision. Consulting with mold remediation professionals can provide tailored advice, ensuring that homeowners strike a balance between practicality and aesthetics in their attic spaces

What Can You Do? We Can Neutralize Your Mold!

In most situations, Pacific Decontamination Services can neutralize your mold up 99.99999%. If our spray, fog or foam can touch it, we can neutralize it. Our services come at a fraction of the cost as compared to the expensive approaches like soda / dry ice blasting, hepa vacuuming, scrubbing, removal of insulation and deconstruction and reconstruction of the attic and roof.

We neutralize the mold in your attic, crawl space, home, building, vehicle, or property by applying our eco-friendly, safe chemical on all surfaces and airborne, focusing our efforts on the visible mold areas. Depending on the job, we apply our formula by spray, mist, foam, or fog. We further kill all airborne mold spores in your attic. The average time of our on-site service is approximately one hour. An additional four hours is required to achieve maximum effectiveness. We ask that you stay out of the attic for approximately 5 hours in total. Read more about how we work.

Pacific Decontamination Services uses the world’s strongest, most effective and safe antimicrobial disinfectant, deodorization and chemical decontaminate. Our professional application will eliminate up to 99.99999% of any allergen, germ, bacteria or fungus that it touches. AND as powerful as it is, it is also completely safe.

What do you do next? How do you solve the challenge of mold and associated health hazards?

Call Pacific Decontamination Services at 778-269-0208 or email us at our email address: contact @ pacificdecon dot com

Serving All of Vancouver Island: Victoria, Cowichan, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, and Port Alberni.
December 1, 2023
How to Kill a Real Estate Transaction with Mold

Mold in the attic will likely kill a real estate transaction in Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Comox, Courtenay, and Duncan and scare away potential buyers if it’s not decontaminated.

If you ignore a mold problem in your attic, do not expect the next buyer of your house to do the same when it will inevitably be discovered during the home inspection. Home sellers take a significant risk of buyers walking away if mold is discovered.

It’s better to be proactive and fix it before you are ready to sell. Then the mold could possibly be discovered during a home inspection which can lead a buyer to decide to walk. If the buyer decides not to walk, they will almost certainly want it fixed before closing (or receive a big credit at closing/price reduction), and it’s possible that the bank will require that the attic mold is remediated before giving a loan to the buyer.

Signs of attic mold

Many homeowners in Nanaimo, Qualicum and Parksville first learn about their problems before selling their home. The buyer’s home inspector notices the mold in the attic right before the closing date, which causes both buyer and seller to panic, often putting the whole deal in jeopardy.

Here are the main signs of attic mold:

Dark stains on plywood (roof sheathing)

Mildew smell in your attic

Hot and stuffy attic air

Frost buildup or roof sheathing

Water dripping from smoke detectors and ceiling fans

Dark stains on attic plywood

If the plywood in your attic shows any black discoloration, the problem has moved beyond moisture. If your attic plywood is stained, you have mold.

Mildew smell in your attic

Trust your nose. A musty or moldy smell in the attic means a moisture problem somewhere. If you suspect that you smell mildew anywhere in your home, especially in your attic, you may have a mold problem and should check it out right away.

Wet insulation

Not only is this a sign that you may (or soon will) have a mold problem, but when insulation gets damp or wet its ability to insulate becomes significantly diminished, costing you extra money to heat/cool your home.

Hot and stuffy attic

Attics should feel breezy if they are adequately ventilated. When an attic is stuffy, that indicates you have a ventilation problem, which often results in mold problems.

Frost buildup of roof sheathing

When it’s cold enough outside, water vapor in an attic with improper ventilation can freeze on the underside of your roof. This makes it especially easy to spot.

Water dripping from smoke detectors, light fixtures or bath fans

This is a sure sign that the floor (or attic) above you has a level of moisture that needs to be addressed.

Main causes of attic mold

Ventilation issues in your home. Mold that is caused by improper bathroom or kitchen fan exhaust.

Roof issues and roof leaks are another main cause.

Ventilation issues – The most common cause of attic mold, by far, is blocked or insufficient ventilation of the attic space.

Attics usually have a passive ventilation system in which outside air comes in through the soffit/eave vents at the bottom, warms up in the attic, and escapes through the can or ridge vents at the top (because hot air rises). That cycle creates an excellent, breezy airflow and a well-ventilated attic.

Common ventilation issues in attic

Blocked soffit or eave vents.

Often soffit/eave vents are blocked with insulation, destroying the passive ventilation system. When that system is destroyed, warm and humid air in the attic will stagnate and often condense along the cold wood sheathing in the winter, causing wet wood and subsequent mold growth throughout much of the attic.

Not enough vents

We also see mold growth in attics if not enough vents are installed. In general, 1 square foot of venting is needed for every 100 square feet of attic space.

Air can be depressurized and pulled down from the attic into the livable space.

This means it is possible for moldy attic air to enter livable spaces from the attic and affect the health of the occupants. At some point, you will probably need to go to your attic for something. Perhaps you use it for storage. Maybe it’s infrequent, but you’re exposing yourself and others (if the attic is open) to moldy air if you enter an attic with a mold problem.

An improper bathroom or kitchen fan exhaust

Dryer exhaust vents, kitchen exhaust fans and bathroom exhaust fans are designed to pump moisture OUT of your home. So make sure they terminate outside your home.

Also plumbing stacks in the attic can be a source of condensation, leading to attic mold growth. Plumbing stacks can also emit hazardous gasses, so ensure they do not terminate inside the attic.

Roof issues that cause mold in your attic

Roof leaks will often lead to a small, localized area of attic mold near where the leak occurs.

Here are a few ways to check for possible roof leaks:

Check for areas of dark discoloration/staining of wood (e.g. rafters, sheathing, joists, attic side of fascia boards, etc.).

Check roof valleys (i.e. where two roofs join at an angle), which are highly susceptible to roof leaks.

Observe vents, plumbing stacks, chimneys, attic windows and any portion of the attic/roof where dissimilar materials join each other (including flashings). These places are hotbeds for potential moisture intrusion.

Wait before replacing your roof

You rarely need to replace a roof because of attic mold. You may need to replace the roof for other reasons –like the roof is in deplorable condition due to age and wear and tear (which lead to mold growth).

Removing mold from your attic

Attics are probably the most dangerous area of your home. They are extremely dangerous even for experienced mold technicians with countless attic mold decontamination jobs. One wrong step and you could fall through the floor joists and cause yourself serious injury. If you think you have mold in other areas of your home, contact Pacific Decontamination Services.

We neutralize your mold by applying our eco-friendly, safe chemical into your attic, crawlspace, or basement. We apply our formula by spray, mist, foam, or fog depending on the job. We do not use a tent. The average time of our on-site service is approximately one hour. An additional four hours is required to achieve maximum effectiveness. We ask that you stay out of the premise for approximately 5 hours in total. Read more about how we work.

Pacific Decontamination Services uses the world’s most powerful, most effective and safe antimicrobial disinfectant, deodorization and chemical decontaminate. Our professional application will eliminate up to 99.99999% of any allergen, germ, bacteria or fungus that it touches. AND as powerful as it is, it is also completely safe.

We provide you with a certificate of decontamination, and this has been accepted in hundreds of real estate transactions as proof that the mold has been neutralized.

What do you do next? How do you solve the challenge of mold in your attic.

There are two main areas we have found again and again that allow a real estate transaction to complete. One is determining the cause of the mold; the other is decontaminating the existing mold and providing a certificate of decontamination.

Call Pacific Decontamination Services at 778-269-0208 or email us!

Serving all of Vancouver Island: Victoria, Cowichan, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, and Port Alberni.

Summary: Attic Mold is Common, but it Doesn’t Have to Cost You Thousands

December 4, 2022
Mold is major problem in real estate. But Mold does not have to kill a transaction. Selling or Buying a home with Mold.

Mold is one of the big problems that home sellers and buyers in Victoria, Cowichan, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, and Port Alberni uncover during the home inspection process.

Here are some ways to save a deal with when mold is involved in your transaction. These are common scenarios our mold remediation company, Pacific Decontamination Services, sees regularly when working with real estate agents (buyers and sellers) on a daily basis.

Scenario 1: A few inches of mold is found in a small area of the home and you are worried mold is everywhere.

No need to take a wrecking ball to the entire house when a little bit of mold is found!

Mold only grows where there is water or high relative humidity. If mold is identified around a single window where condensation is present, there is no need to start ripping out walls in other areas of the home that are dry. Focus on the area where the water and mold growth is occurring and remove the mold at its source (e.g. the drywall and wood trim around the window) and eliminating the water source (e.g. window condensation).

Scenario 2: Mold is disclosed in the listing agreement or later identified during an inspection and you are unsure whether you need it tested.

If you already see mold, testing may be a waste of money.

It does not matter what type of mold you have – once identified, all mold should be treated the same way.

Testing can be useful in certain situations such as when someone identifies a moldy-like smell but cannot actually see mold anywhere. In this case, testing can help determine if the smell is indeed mold and the source of the presumed mold. Most of the time though the smell of mold will lead you right to a visible source of mold, making testing unnecessary.

But if you can already see visible mold, most of the time testing is not necessary. Instead, Pacific Decontamination Services can eliminate the mold and mold spores, allowing you to use the money allocated for testing towards remediation instead.

Scenario 3: “Black Mold” is identified and you are concerned that the mold is toxic.

Not all molds are toxic despite what you may hear or read.

Mold comes in a variety of colors. The dreaded “Black Mold” you have heard about so often in the media is not a species or specific type of mold.

Media reports of “Black Mold” often refer to molds that can produce toxins (specifically mycotoxins), such as groups of molds known as Stachybotrys. Note that mycotoxins will not always be produced when these types of mold are present. To put it another way, the presence of mold does not necessarily mean mycotoxins are present.

Much of what we know about mycotoxins is not well understood yet and ongoing research is needed. According to the EPA though, certain types of mycotoxins produced by the molds Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus are shown to cause cancer. However, the EPA goes on further to say that “Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus are not commonly found on building materials or in indoor environments.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also states: “There are very few reports that toxigenic molds found inside homes can cause unique or rare health conditions such as pulmonary hemorrhage or memory loss. These case reports are rare, and a causal link between the presence of the toxigenic mold and these conditions has not been proven.”

Scenario 4: Mold is disclosed or identified and you are not sure what to do.

Not all molds are bad!

Mold is everywhere – in our homes, in our offices and in the fresh air we breathe outside.

Some of the media reports on mold are over hyped and that mold is in fact a natural organism that most of the time makes life better. Mold improves our lives by breaking down dead leaves and trees, helping to make certain types of cheeses, and by being the basis of modern antibiotics like Penicillin.

Despite these useful purposes, too much mold in a home can pose a health risk. How much is too much? Currently, there are no federal guidelines that define exactly how much mold is unhealthy. This useful fact is very important for you to understand.

Even though no federal standards currently exist, generally speaking, you should not be able to see actual mold growth or smell it. If you can, your home probably has too much mold and can be unhealthy.

Scenario 5: Unexpected mold is found in an attic or crawlspace during an inspection.

In real estate transactions, the discovery of mold in an attic or crawl space by an inspector often comes as an unexpected surprise to the parties involved. But mold in attics and crawl spaces do not need to kill a transaction.

Mold in these places needs to be remediated. In extreme cases, it can be a sign of bigger issues such as foundation problems or roof deficiencies. But a buyer who falls in love with a house should not necessarily be shocked if mold is found in an attic or crawl space by an inspector.

These two areas of the home are ripe for mold infestation – studies that indicate as much as 60% of all crawl spaces have mold.

But often attic and crawl space mold goes undetected by the homeowner because these are not places most of us spend much time in.

How to Remove, Eliminate and Remediate Mold in Houses in Victoria, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Port Alberni, Comox, Courteney, and Campbell River

Pacific Decontamination Services neutralize your mold by applying our eco-friendly, safe chemical into the affected area(s). Depending on the job, we apply our formula by spray and fog. We do not use a tent. The average time of our on-site service is approximately one hour. An additional four hours is required to achieve maximum effectiveness. We ask that you stay out of the premise for approximately 4 hours in total. Read more about how we work.

Pacific Decontamination Services uses the world’s strongest, most effective and safe antimicrobial disinfectant, deodorization and chemical decontaminate. Our professional application will eliminate up to 99.9999% of any allergen, germ, bacteria or fungus that it touches. AND as powerful as it is, it is also completely safe.

What do you do next? How do you solve the challenge of mold and associated health hazards?

Call Pacific Decontamination Services at 778-269-0208 or email us!
Serving All of Victoria, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Port Alberni, Comox, Courtenay, Campbell River, and all of Vancouver Island:

June 23, 2020
Home Inspection: Mold Found in Attic – Deal Breaker?

Mold is one of the big fear items that home buyers in Victoria, Cowichan, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, and Port Alberni ask about during the home inspection process. Simply put if you see mold in a home there is a moisture issue.

Once the source of the moisture is addressed and the mold is remediated by a qualified professional it won’t come back. It’s that simple. Mold needs moisture to grow.

Is mold in my home a problem?

It can be if left undressed. Again, mold in a building means you have a water problem. Dry buildings do not have mold problems. Focus on solving the water problem, then decontaminating the mold. If you do not solve the water problem you will be in an endless cycle of never ending mold.

Is mold harmful to my health?

The short answer is No. The long answer is it can be with prolonged exposure. However, we have very little science to prove that mold exposure in buildings can affect human health and a great deal of evidence to suggest it can’t.

Mold in attic spaces.

If we look at mold in our attic spaces it is not likely an indoor air quality issue. Air rises through the lower levels of the home and up through the attic. Mold spores do not travel against this air flow so most of this air will make it’s way out of an upper roof cavity or vent.

If you were to find mold in your crawlspace it is much more likely that that air is going to contribute to the interior air we breathe in. Simply put, we breath the air that is below our home.

Why does mold grow in my attic space?

Think about when you take a shower. The warmer air from inside the shower will meet the cooler air from in the room and you will end up with condensation on your bathroom mirror. The same is true for your attic space. During the winter months your roof is very cold. If the warmer interior air from your home migrates into your attic space you will end up with condensation on your roof sheathing, which will lead to mold.

Why is Mold in my attic a problem?

Although mold in your attic does not lead to indoor air quality issues, it can lead to deterioration of your roof structure. Once again, if the moisture issue is not addresses the mold will continue to grow and spread and will come up each time the home is inspected in the future.

There are three areas that lead to condensation in attic spaces:

Not enough ventilation that will allow the outside air to keep the attic air the same temperature.

Not enough insulation to keep the warmer air from the home from moving into the attic space.

All ceiling penetration sealed to prevent further heat loss into the attic space.

How to Remove, Eliminate and Remediate Mold in Attics in Victoria, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Port Alberni, Comox, Courteney, and Campbell River

Pacific Decontamination Services neutralize your mold by applying our eco-friendly, safe chemical into your attic. Depending on the job, we apply our formula by spray and fog. We do not use a tent. The average time of our on-site service is approximately one hour. An additional four hours is required to achieve maximum effectiveness. We ask that you stay out of the premise for approximately 4 hours in total. Read more about how we work.

Pacific Decontamination Services uses the world’s strongest, most effective and safe antimicrobial disinfectant, deodorization and chemical decontaminate. Our professional application will eliminate up to 99.9999% of any allergen, germ, bacteria or fungus that it touches. AND as powerful as it is, it is also completely safe.

What do you do next? How do you solve the challenge of mold and associated health hazards?

Call Pacific Decontamination Services at 778-269-0208 or email us!
Serving All of Victoria, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Port Alberni, Comox, Courtenay, Campbell River, and all of Vancouver Island:

May 25, 2020