PacificDecon

Tag: Mold Restoration Process

  • Mold Related Illnesses

    Mold Related Illnesses

    Many bacteria, fungi, diseases, mold-related illnesses and infections begin in homes, offices, crawlspaces, basements, and attics that may lead to possibly serious health issues for homeowners in Victoria, Cowichan, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, and Port Alberni.

     
    Pathogenic microbes such as virus, fungi and pathogenic bacteria are the main cause of airborne or direct contact diseases affecting animals and humans. Studies show the application of disinfectants and biocides via aerosol or fogging significantly reduce the number of viable infectious pathogens. Foggers produce micro droplets that float in the air for around 10 minutes after application, reaching the most inaccessible parts where conventional cleaning or spraying can’t reach. 
     
    Pathogenic Bacteria 

    Ecoli Pathogenic bacteria contribute to many illnesses and infections, whether food borne, water borne or air borne. These include diseases such as E-coli, MRSA, C. difficile, Campylobacter, Legionella and Salmonella. Unhygienic food preparation, water storage and air conditioning systems can harvest as well as spread these diseases. Bacteria such as MRSA and C. difficile are especially troublesome in hospitals, prisons and nursing homes, where patients with open wounds, and weakened immune systems are at greater risk of infection. 

    Virus 

    Influenza Viral infections make up around one third of cases of food poisoning in developed countries. Examples of these viruses include the Norovirus and Rotovirus. Other common viral infections include cold viruses and Seasonal influenza (the flu). An increasing concern due to a growing global population are animal or bird to human transmissions such as H1N1 (swine flu), and H5N1 strain of bird flu. Disinfection of surfaces using a fogger is essential to stop the spread of these infections. 

    Fungi 

    Many fungi are parasites on plants, animals (including humans). Some fungi can cause serious diseases in humans, several of which may be fatal if untreated. In the Nanaimo, Parksville and Qualicum areas, this includes Aspergillosis, coccidioidomycosis and mycetomas. Molds are a common component of household and workplace dust. However, when mold spores are present in large quantities, they can present a health hazard to humans, potentially causing allergic reactions and respiratory problems. Some molds can also produce mycotoxins which can pose a serious health risk to humans. 

    Mold in the Home

    Mold in the home, including Courtenay, Comox and Campbell River, usually can be found in damp, dark or steamy areas e.g. bathroom or kitchen, cluttered storage areas, recently flooded areas, basement areas, plumbing spaces, areas with poor ventilation and outdoors in humid environments. Fogging is used to apply fungicides to target mold in places such as bathroom or kitchen ceilings, behind boilers, recently flooded areas, basements and areas with poor ventilation. 
     

    What Can You Do?

    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.

  • Bleach Does Not Break the Mold Lifecycle

    Bleach Does Not Break the Mold Lifecycle



    Bleach does not break the mold lifecycle.  Wiping down mold with bleach does not solve the problem in homes, offices, crawlspaces, basements, attics, vehicles for homeowners in Victoria, Cowichan, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, and Port Alberni,

    Does Bleach Kill Mold?

    There is a lot of misinformation about bleach and mold.

    A quick internet search pulls up all kinds of conflicting information about bleach and mold. Some articles state emphatically that bleach kills mold while others caution against using bleach to remove mold.

    The United States of America OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) was one of the first federal agencies to STOP recommending the use of liquid bleach for mold remediation.

    What is Bleach?

    Bleach is the generic term that describes a variety of chemicals used to whiten clothes, lighten hair colors, and remove stains. Additionally, most types of bleach will disinfect and sterilize germs and bacteria. While there are several types of bleach, chlorine bleach is a common household bleach.

    Does Bleach Kill Mold?

    Yes. But… germs and bacteria, like salmonella and influenza, require a host to thrive. While they will live for a period of time outside the body, they will eventually die without a host. This makes cleaning with bleach an effective way to kill germs and bacteria because they don’t have the means to reproduce outside of a host.

    Mold is much more complicated than that. Hence why it causes far greater destruction than a virus.

    Mold is a naturally occurring airborne fungus that aids in the decomposition of organic materials. If you have mold growing in your home, you also have mold spores in the air. Instead of an animal or human host, mold lives on organic material and moisture.

    Since mold spores can “soak into” a surface, mold can outrun bleach. A virus or bacteria can’t do that because they live on surfaces. So if you catch a mold spore at the right moment, bleach may be able to remove it but it could also cause some other issues along the way. Read more about mold, mold spores and health concerns here.

    Reasons Why You May Not Want to Use Bleach to Kill Mold

    1. Bleach Does What It Does Best – It Bleaches

    Bleach basically only removes the color from the visible mold. It magically turns visible mold into “hidden mold.” It provides a false sense of security that the mold has been removed.

    2. Bleach Can Only Reach Surface Mold

    In case you didn’t know, mold is not just on the surface of something. It roots and it often roots deeply. This is a survival mechanism. Mold doesn’t want to be removed. As such, you can’t kill any mold with a product that only reaches the surfaces.

    Bleach only reaches the mold on the surface without affecting the membrane underneath.  You need to kill and remove this underlying membrane to effectively remove the mold growth and prevent it from returning.  Bleach cleaners cannot kill this membrane because its chemical structure prevents it from penetrating porous surfaces.  This causes the mold membranes to move deeper into the affected surface to hide from the bleach.

    3. Bleach Causes More Mold Growth

    Bleach has been proven to actually cause additional mold growth.

    When bleach is introduced to mold colonies, the mold recognizes the bleach as a threat and reacts. This means that it begins to reproduce at a rapid rate. It roots deeper and grows stronger.

    Bleach also contains 90% water and mold loves moisture obviously. When bleach is applied, the chlorine quickly evaporates after use leaving behind a ton of water. This water often soaks into the surface allowing the mold to grow more in this moist environment. So in effect, using bleach actually feeds the internal mold spores!

    4. Chlorine Bleach Loses Its Effectiveness Over Time

    Chlorine bleach rapidly loses its effectiveness. When exposed to air, chlorine evaporates. This means that you might have a bottle of bleach that is basically useless. Basically, you would be pouring water on mold spores which as we just discussed is not a good solution.

    5. Using Bleach To Kill Mold Is Toxic

    Chlorine bleach produces fumes that pollute the air and can become harmful to both humans and pets. Chlorine bleach also generates a by-product called dioxin, which is linked to cancer. Used over time, bleach builds up these pollutants in the environment. If you are battling mold the last thing you need to introduce are more toxins.

    Another disadvantage of bleach is that it can damage the materials it’s used on as it is a harsh, corrosive chemical.

    A simple study was conducted by the University of Oregon State. One of the purposes of the study was to examine if bleach can prevent or remove mold growth from Douglas-fir Lumber. The study found that “While bleach is often recommended for remediation of surface mold on wood, our results illustrate that the treatment does not eliminate the surface microflora. As a result, an important component of remediation must be drying to moisture levels below 20 percent (the generally accepted level for inhibiting growth of fungi on wood) (Zabel and Morrell 1992). In the absence of drying, some fungi clearly survive the treatment and may re-colonize the surface”

    Some Facts About Bleach and Mold

    United States of America EPA and OSHA have specifically advised against the use of bleach for mold remediation.

    Bleach will only remove the stain from mold. The surface will appear clean but internal roots will continue to grow.

    Using bleach to kill mold will encourage toxic mold to grow faster and stronger.

    Bleach itself is considered a toxic chemical and is classified the same as gasoline. In its gaseous form (room temperature) chlorine releases Dioxins, a known cancer causing compound.

    Your bleach may have already lost its effectiveness rendering it as useless as water to remove mold.

    If Not Bleach, What Do You Do?

    The best treatment to break the mold life cycle is treatment by Pacific Decontamination Services to keep mold spores from repopulating. 

    What We Do – We Also Neutralize All Airborne, Surface and Root Mold Spores!

    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, roots 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. 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.

  • Why Bleach Does Not Completely Eliminate Mold

    Why Bleach Does Not Completely Eliminate Mold

    Simply wiping down mold with bleach does not rid the surface or surrounding areas of the floating mold spores in homes, offices, crawlspaces, basements, attics, vehicles for homeowners in Victoria, Cowichan, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, and Port Alberni.

    Mold is more than simply a smelly and unsightly stain on walls, ceilings and other surfaces. Like all forms of fungus, mold is a living organism that can grow and reproduce. A look at the mold life cycle will help you understand how it can quickly spread through your home before you even realize it’s there.

    Four stages of the mold life cycle

    • The initial stage begins with a cell called a hypha. This minute, thread-like cell feeds on cellulose, wood and other organic materials through the release of enzymes. As the hypha absorbs the nutrients, it grows into a mycelium, and the resulting cluster of hyphae forms the visible portion of mold.

    • Once the mycelium is created, some of the individual hyphae develop spores on the ends. You may remember from high school biology that spores are cells that reproduce asexually in fungi and certain plants such as ferns. Available light, oxygen and ambient temperature all play roles in the formation of spores.

    • The microscopic spores are then released into the air, where they drift until settling in a new area with the requisite water and nutrients to fuel reproduction. Despite their size and seemingly delicate nature, spores are hardy organisms. In many cases they can remain dormant for years, even under inhospitable hot and dry conditions.

    • As spores settle in and begin reproducing, the mold life cycle comes full circle. The spores absorb moisture and nutrients from their new home and begin generating new hyphae. Left unchecked, the process continues indefinitely.

    How the mold life cycle affects mold treatment

    Hyphae act as roots, anchoring mold to its substrate and absorbing nutrients just as roots do for plant life. Wiping down a surface infested with mold does nothing to disturb the hyphae. While mold may initially appear to be gone, it inevitably returns as the remaining hyphae begin a fresh mold lifecycle.

    In many cases, the mold life cycle plays an important part in the balance of nature, such as when it feeds upon dead or decaying trees, leaves and other organic debris. Problems arise indoors, where ingesting spores through your respiratory system can cause allergic reactions and other health problems.

    How can you break the mold life cycle?

    With traditional mold remediation, costly and inconvenient rebuilding and, or physical removal of affected surfaces is the only way to interrupt the mold life cycle.

    Cleansing an area with bleach does not rid a surface or surrounding areas of the floating mold spores.

    The best treatment to break the mold life cycle is treatment by Pacific Decontamination Services to keep mold spores from repopulating. 

    What We Do – We Also Neutralize All Airborne and Surface Mold Spores

    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.

  • Facts About Mold

    Facts About Mold

    Mold and mold spores in homes, offices, crawlspaces, basements, attics may lead to health issues for homeowners in Victoria, Cowichan, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, and Port Alberni.

    Here are some common myths about mold.

    Mold growing in your house is a sign of poor cleaning – true or false?

    This is False. Mold growth in your house is a sign of a moisture problem. Mold spores naturally exist pretty much everywhere, both outside and inside. In your house they just need the right temperature and moisture level to grow into a mold colony. Moisture problems and mold growth are regularly caused by excessive humidity, lack of ventilation, water leaks, or flooding.

    Black mold is very dangerous – true or false?

    This is mostly False. When we talk about the dangers of “black mold”, we are usually referring to a type of mold known as Stachybotrys chartarum. This type of toxic mold, along with specific other molds, can produce mycotoxins in certain circumstances. Some people are more sensitive to these mycotoxins or have underlying conditions like asthma or lung disease that make them more prone to being affected by the mycotoxins. Mold toxins can lead to health issues like cold-like symptoms, allergic reactions or respiratory problems in people and animals. Reports of extreme health affects from black mold are extremely rare.

    The best way to kill mold is with bleach or vinegar – true or false?

    This is False. Bleach, vinegar and other chemicals can kill some types of mold on hard non-porous surfaces (like bathroom tiles), but are not recommended because of their overall ineffectiveness on both non-porous and porous surfaces and their impact on air quality. The best way to get rid of mold is to concentrate on mold removal rather than killing it. Health Canada recommends using soap and water on hard non-porous surfaces and to remove all porous surfaces (such as fabrics, materials, insulation, drywall, etc) that have mold on them.

    Painting over mold will not kill the mold or prevent it from spreading – true or false?

    This is True. Paint does not kill mold, nor prevent it from spreading. The first step in stopping mold from growing and spreading is to find and remove the moisture problem. Once this is done, you can try to paint over the mold to hide the staining, but often the mold will keep showing through. To get rid of the mold it’s best to remove and replace the affected drywall.

    All you need to protect yourself is rubber gloves – true or false?

    This is false. Non-professionals doing mold remediation need to take the same precautions taken by qualified professionals. This includes wearing personal protective equipment (eg. safety glasses or goggles, N95 mask, disposable rubber gloves), containing (or neutralizing) the mold and mold spores from the people in the building, having increased ventilation, doing proper disposal of all moldy materials (sealed in plastic bags and removed from the space in a timely manner), etc. Care also must be taken to not create any additional hazards, eg. electrical shocks, falls from ladders, etc.

    Once the mold and mold spores have been neutralized, it’s gone for good – true or false?

    This is false. You must be diligent in preventing the mold problem from reoccuring. Prevention is key. If the right conditions arise, mold can come back.  It is key to identify and reduce the underlying moisture or humidity issues. This means finding and rectifying all water leaks, water seepage, improper ventilation, and excessive humidity.

    What Can You Do?

    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.

    Black mold is very dangerous – true or false?

    This is mostly False. When we talk about the dangers of “black mold”, we are usually referring to a type of mold known as Stachybotrys chartarum. This type of toxic mold, along with specific other molds, can produce mycotoxins in certain circumstances. Some people are more sensitive to these mycotoxins or have underlying conditions like asthma or lung disease that make them more prone to being affected by the mycotoxins. Mold toxins can lead to health issues like cold-like symptoms, allergic reactions or respiratory problems in people and animals. Reports of extreme health affects from black mold are extremely rare.

    The best way to kill mold is with bleach or vinegar – true or false?

    This is False. Bleach, vinegar and other chemicals can kill some types of mold on hard non-porous surfaces (like bathroom tiles), but are not recommended because of their overall ineffectiveness on both non-porous and porous surfaces and their impact on air quality. The best way to get rid of mold is to concentrate on mold removal rather than killing it. Health Canada recommends using soap and water on hard non-porous surfaces and to remove all porous surfaces (such as fabrics, materials, insulation, drywall, etc) that have mold on them.

    Painting over mold will not kill the mold or prevent it from spreading – true or false?

    This is True. Paint does not kill mold, nor prevent it from spreading. The first step in stopping mold from growing and spreading is to find and remove the moisture problem. Once this is done, you can try to paint over the mold to hide the staining, but often the mold will keep showing through. To get rid of the mold it’s best to remove and replace the affected drywall.

    All you need to protect yourself is rubber gloves – true or false?

    This is false. Non-professionals doing mold remediation need to take the same precautions taken by qualified professionals. This includes wearing personal protective equipment (eg. safety glasses or goggles, N95 mask, disposable rubber gloves), containing (or neutralizing) the mold and mold spores from the people in the building, having increased ventilation, doing proper disposal of all moldy materials (sealed in plastic bags and removed from the space in a timely manner), etc. Care also must be taken to not create any additional hazards, eg. electrical shocks, falls from ladders, etc.

    Once the mold and mold spores have been neutralized, it’s gone for good – true or false?

    This is false. You must be diligent in preventing the mold problem from reoccuring. Prevention is key. If the right conditions arise, mold can come back.  It is key to identify and reduce the underlying moisture or humidity issues. This means finding and rectifying all water leaks, water seepage, improper ventilation, and excessive humidity.

    What Can You Do?

    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.

    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.

  • What You Need to Know About White Mold

    What You Need to Know About White Mold

    Finding white mold in your home, attic, crawl, or building is extremely common and may lead to health concerns for homeowners in Victoria, Cowichan, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, and Port Alberni.

    Finding mold in your residential or commercial property is problematic because of the way it can damage your property and how it can harm the health of anyone exposed to it. Mold, however, is a general term that encompasses a wide variety of mold species. In a general sense, mold growth in your home is harmful regardless of the specific type; however, the different qualities concerning each species make a great difference when determining how to properly deal with the mold growth problem.

    White mold is an example of the fungus, but it isn’t just one type of mold. White mold describes a wide range of mold species that can appear white in color. Because of the white color quality of such mold species, white mold might be tough to identify. But as is with any mold, it’s essential that you can identify its presence so that you can have the mold growth properly addressed, and removed, to prevent further issues.

    What is White Mold?
    White mold is a term used to describe mold species that may be white in appearance and have a powdery texture. Among the species of white mold that are often found growing in homes are penicillium, Cladosporium, and aspergillus. However, white is just one of the colors that such mold can appear as. These mold species can also be black, gray, or green in color.

    If mold is white in color, then it could be because their spores have no pigments, and this is determined by what kind of surface/material the mold has developed on. Sometimes, mold will be white in its early developmental stages and then change colors once spores have been produced.

    What Causes Mold Growth?
    Mold spores are naturally present in the air, so it’s not difficult for them to result in mold growth so long as they have the proper conditions. To grow, mold spores need a moisture source and a food source. Mold often uses building materials, such as wood and drywall, as a food source because those materials contain cellulose, a main organic food source for mold. That said, if your property’s building materials have suffered water damage, mold growth is likely to follow, because the mold spores have everything they need to flourish.

    How Do You Identify White Mold?
    Aside from its white appearance and powdery texture, white mold can usually be found growing on drywall, wood, and other building materials that contain cellulose. However, because of its white color, white mold can often be confused with other white substances, such as efflorescence and mildew.

    Efflorescence is a salt deposit left behind by saltwater that evaporates. It has a white crystalline appearance and can be found on brick, concrete, or stone. These surfaces aren’t ones in which mold typically grows, so the affected surface can tell you whether a substance is white mold or efflorescence. You can also try to test the substance by dropping water onto it. If the substance dissolves, then it isn’t mold.

    Mildew can be differentiated from white mold, too, by paying attention to the affected surface. For the most part, mildew will not grow on surfaces besides plants. If it does, it won’t cause the material damage that you can expect from white mold.

    What Makes White Mold Hazardous?
    As is the case with all species and types of mold, white mold is hazardous, because exposure to it can result in various health problems. Among the health issues white mold can cause include allergies, eye irritation, skin irritation, headaches, respiratory infections, nausea, and dizziness. Prolonged exposure can lead to even more severe problems, such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, and memory loss. Additionally, individuals with asthma are more likely to suffer from problems if exposed to mold.

    In terms of your property, white mold is dangerous because of the way it uses building materials as a food source. The mold eats away at the material, compromising its structural integrity. With enough damage, your property’s structure can become unstable. This is why it’s important to act quickly with mold growth; you want to prevent any damage from getting really bad.

    How Do You Treat White Mold?
    If you encounter mold growth in your home or business, then you must act immediately to limit the damage that it can cause to your property and to you and anyone else who inhabits the space.

    What Can You Do?
    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.

    Click Here to learn more. We neutralize the mold by applying our eco-friendly, safe chemical, 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 residence/property. 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 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 white mold and associated health hazards?

    Call Pacific Decontamination Services at 778-269-0208 or email us at contact at pacificdecon.com

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

  • Mold in Attics: When to Remove Roofing

    Mold in Attics: When to Remove Roofing

    Homeowners in Nanaimo, Victoria, Duncan, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Campbell River, Port Alberni and all other locations on Vancouver Island many times ask the question: When do I need to remove the roofing because of mold contamination?

    Do we need to remove the roof or perform other demolition to clean or remove attic, cathedral ceiling, or other roof cavity mold contamination? Here we explain when a roof tear-off is justified as part of an attic or roof mold cleanup project (rarely) and when roof tear-offs are not justified.

    ATTIC MOLD When to Tear Off the Roof

    How does one determine if the roof should come off to remove attic mold contamination?

    Generally, tearing off a roof and roof sheathing and perhaps roof framing, to remove mold would not be sensible nor cost-justified.

    Mold growth, provided it is not just cosmetic mold which can simply be left alone, can be neutralized from all surfaces by Pacific Decontamination Services

    Lots of protruding nails through a roof deck preclude wiping or scrubbing the roof decking surface and media blasting might be appropriate in some situations.

    Watch out: do not launch a costly attic or under-roof mold cleanup job for harmless or cosmetic mold growths. Most of the time, Pacific Decontamination Services can help with a much more affordable option.

    Do We Need to Sand or Blast the Roof Surface to Remove Mold?

    Sanding wood building surfaces such as plywood or tongue and groove roof sheathing, wall sheathing, or wood framing is usually unnecessary and inappropriate. Furthermore, sanding a roof deck is almost impossible because of the interference from protruding nails. Media blasting (below) works on these surfaces.

    Do we have to sand or clean moldy wood to remove all traces of mold stains?

    No. Any stains that remain on wood surfaces after cleaning are harmless (usually sterile hyphae remaining below the wood surface).

    Fixing the cause of mold is an essential part of any mold cleanup job

    At the time of cleaning off mold, it is essential that the cause of mold growth be corrected as well, or mold growth will probably return, regardless of whether any stained surfaces were left from the prior cleaning.

    Should I use a biocide or fungicide during roof mold cleanup?

    Use of fungicidal encapsulants may reduce but not eliminate the risk of future mold growth, primarily, or more lastingly because such encapsulants reduce the future uptake of moisture in the wood materials.

    We neutralize mold from roof framing and sheathing;

    So when is a Roof Tear Off Necessary if I’ve got a Moldy Attic or Cathedral Ceiling?

    When the roof sheathing is rotted or damaged, or when other structural repairs are needed, a tear-off is unavoidable.

    When attic surfaces or insulation contain a large reservoir of toxic or allergenic mold, AND if the area were inaccessible, say because the space is too small to enter, then it may be necessary to either fog the area or remove some portion of roofing to give access for remediation, particularly if there is evidence of transmission of problem mold from that space into the living area.

    How to Remove, Eliminate and Remediate Mold in Attics in Victoria, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Port Alberni, Comox, Courtenay, 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:

  • Eliminating Mold and Mildew

    Eliminating Mold and Mildew

    Mold in homes, offices, crawlspaces, basements, attics are extremely common and may lead to health concerns for homeowners in Victoria, Cowichan, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, and Port Alberni.

    Even after standing water has been removed from your home, dampness will persist. Not-so-fun fact: The microorganisms that turn into mold colonies are always present in the air around us, so mold growth will start quickly in the right (i.e. damp) conditions, which poses serious health risks and can make cleanup an absolute nightmare.

    According to the CDC, mold begins to grow 24-48 hours after a flood event, so removing water and any lingering moisture as soon as possible from a water-damaged building is imperative. Once the water is gone, using dehumidifiers, exhaust fans, and portable air-conditioning units can help reduce humidity and lingering moisture. Do not use outdoor or ground-mounted central air units, which can be contaminated with silt after a flood. It’s also a good idea to open up the building to increase ventilation if it’s less humid outside.

    If mold is growing in your home, you may be able to smell it before you see it. Mold may grow in hidden areas, like under carpet, behind drywall, or under wallpaper.

    Important Safety Tip: When entering and inspecting a space where there is flood damage and mold, it is essential to wear respirator masks, rubber or insulated footwear, heavy-duty work gloves, and safety goggles. Those who suffer from respiratory issues or a weakened immune system should avoid entering the space entirely.

    If the mold problem is throughout the room, or residence, it’s a good idea to seek the help of a professional who is trained in mold cleanup. Always err on the side of caution when it comes to severe flood damage or major mold issues. Remember, moisture is mold’s best friend.

    What Can You Do?

    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 by applying our eco-friendly, safe chemical everywhere within your attic, 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!

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

  • 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 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:

  • Removing Mold in Attics

    Removing Mold in Attics

    What are the tell-tale signs of an attic mold problem for residents living in Victoria, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Port Alberni, Comox, Courtenay and Campbell River?

    Dark black staining on wood surfaces — If the wood in your attic shows any black discoloration, the problem has moved beyond moisture; you have mold that should be removed.
    Attic feels excessively hot or stuffy — Attics should feel breezy if they are properly ventilated. When an attic is stuffy, that indicates you have a ventilation problem, which often results in mold problems.
    Frost buildup on the underside of the roof sheathing in winter — 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.
    Wet insulation in the attic — 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.
    Water dripping from smoke detectors, light fixtures, bath fans — This is a sure sign that the floor (or attic) above you has a level of moisture that needs to be addressed.
    The smell of mildew in the attic — Trust your nose. A musty or moldy smell in the attic means there’s a moisture problem somewhere.

    Mold Exposure – How Vulnerable Are You?

    What causes attic mold?

    We in the mold industry like to say that “mold problems are moisture problems.” In other words, you cannot have a mold problem without a moisture problem. And mold can make you sick!

    Generally speaking, attic moisture problems that lead to mold growth are most often caused by:

    Blocked or Insufficient Ventilation
    Improper Exhausting of Bathroom Fans or Dryer Vents
    Roof Issues/Leaks

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

    Pacific Decontamination Services neutralize your mold by applying our eco-friendly, safe chemical into your attic, crawlspace, or basement. Depending on the job, we apply our formula by spray, mist, foam, or 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 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 99.9999% 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:

  • Mold Inspection and Testing – Victoria, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Courtenay, Campbell River

    Mold Inspection and Testing – Victoria, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Courtenay, Campbell River

    Mold inspection and testing for homeowners in Victoria, Cowichan, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, and Port Alberni.

    Mold is a type of fungus that often looks like fuzzy spots of different colors, including green, gray, or black. More than 100,000 mold species have been identified. Exposure to molds can be linked to negative health effects, depending on the type of mold and the health status of the person.

    You may have heard or read about “toxic mold.” Actually, molds themselves are not toxic or poisonous.

    You may have heard or read about “toxic mold.” Actually, molds themselves are not toxic or poisonous. However, there are mold species that are “toxigenic,” meaning they produce mycotoxins (myco- is a prefix that means fungal). These mycotoxins are chemical byproducts of metabolic processes – any process performed to maintain life, such as converting food into energy or cellular respiration. Some mycotoxins can cause a toxic response in humans and animals, even in small amounts.  Hidden dangers of mold.

    Molds reproduce by creating spores that can be too small for the naked eye to see. The spores vary in shape and range from 2 to 100 microns in size (for comparison, a strand of a human hair ranges from 17 to 181 microns in diameter). Molds release the reproductive spores, which can spread through the air, water, or on animals. Mold spores can cause health issues by triggering allergies or asthma attacks.

    When mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on to survive. Molds can reproduce in any moist place. They can grow on wood, paper, carpet, foods and other surfaces.

    General mold categories

    Mold species are generally categorized as one of three types:

    1.        Allergenic – Unlikely to cause illness (though it may aggravate mild allergies)

    2.        Pathogenic – Can cause infection in people who are immunocompromised

    3.        Toxigenic – Toxic to all humans and animals who come in contact with it

    Allergenic molds

    Everyone breathes in airborne mold spores, but some have an allergic reaction or experience asthma symptoms. Airborne mold spores can get into the nose, causing similar symptoms to other common airborne allergens, such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, congestion and dry skin. Mold spores can also enter the lungs, triggering an asthmatic episode.

    Everyone breathes in airborne mold spores.

    The most common molds whose spores can act as allergens include:

    •          Alternaria – This genus of molds comprises approximately 50 mold species. It is a common outdoor mold, and its spores are a common allergen. Alternaria species often appear as dark gray spots. The mold genus can grow indoors, especially damp surfaces with a food source, such as wood. The most common Alternaria species are A. tenuissima and A. alternate. A. alternate is often found growing on the following indoor materials if they are damp: iron, tiles, bricks, plaster, wallpaper, paper, and canvas.2

    •          Aspergillus – This genus of mold grows worldwide and is one of the most commonly occurring molds in hospitals. Its spores can trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Aspergillus is so abundant that it is probably impossible to avoid breathing in at least some of its spores. For most people with healthy immune systems, breathing Aspergillus is not harmful. There are a few species of the genus that can cause serious illness when inhaled by people who are immunocompromised, have a lung disease such as COPD, or have asthma. The range of health issues Aspergillusmay cause is known as aspergillosis. Some people will have a severe allergic response to inhaling spores of the species Aspergillus fumigatus. This immune response is called allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), which causes airway inflammation.3

    •          Cladosporium – The Cladosporium genus is one of the most widespread molds. Its spores can act as allergens, triggering reactions in sensitive people. C. herbarum is the most commonly identified allergenic species of Cladosporium.4 Indoors, Cladosporium is common on wet building materials, such as gypsum board, acrylic painted walls, wood, wallpaper, carpet and mattress dust, HVAC fans, and wet insulation in mechanical cooling units.5

    •          Penicillium – This mold genus includes hundreds of species, some of which are used to produce the antibiotic penicillin. It is a blue-green mold that many people have seen growing on food. Some Penicillium species produce airborne spores that can act as allergens and asthma triggers for sensitive people.6

    Other common molds that produce spores that can act as allergens include the genera Epicoccum, Fusarium, Helminthosporium, Mucor, Rhizopus, and Pullularia.

    Pathogenic molds

    A pathogenic mold is one that can cause an infection in humans, even if they are in good health. Some genus of molds include species that fall into the allergenic category, as well as species categorized as pathogenic. One such example is the Aspergillus genus. This genus includes several allergenic species, as well as one very pathogenic species, fumigatus.

    A pathogenic mold is one that can cause an infection in humans, even if they are in good health.

    The most common pathogenic molds include:

    •          Aspergillus species: A. fumigatus and A. flavus – A. fumigatus is the most prevalent species of the genus and is the leading cause of invasive aspergillosis and can cause chronic pulmonary infections. Although airborne A. flavus is more prevalent in some hospitals and locations, it is far less studied than A. fumigatus. A. flavus is also known to produce mycotoxins.7

    •          Cryptococcus neoformans – This mold lives in environments worldwide. People can develop an infection after inhaling its spores, although it is extremely rare for those with healthy immune systems. If an immunocompromised person inhales spores, they can stay in the body and cause a later infection if the immune system becomes even weaker. Most cases of cryptococcal meningitis (a form of fungal meningitis) are linked to C. neoformans.8

    •          Histoplasma capsulatum – H. capsulatum causes the infectious disease histoplasmosis. It’s acquired by inhaling airborne H. capsulatum spores. Inhaled spores can also cause a lung infection (pneumonia). Those with a weakened immune system risk the infection spreading throughout the body which can be life-threatening. This mold is usually found in soil; however, it is also found where there are bat and bird droppings. Spores usually become airborne from soil disturbances like digging or building demolition. Outbreaks are most often caused by large-scale construction projects.9

    Toxigenic molds

    The toxigenic molds are the misnamed “toxic mold” species that may create the chemical metabolic byproducts called mycotoxins, which can cause a toxic response in humans and animals. Mycotoxins are separate from the spores molds produce for reproduction. However, these chemicals can become airborne and travel with mold spores. Researchers have also demonstrated that mycotoxins also travel through the air on very small particles of dust or tiny pieces of wallpaper, which can easily be inhaled.10

    Mycotoxins travel through the air on very small particles of dust or tiny pieces of wallpaper, which can easily be inhaled.

    It should be noted that the presence of a toxigenic mold species does not necessarily mean the presence of mycotoxins. Also, it’s not possible to know if a mold is producing mycotoxins just by looking at it.11

    Some of the most commonly found toxigenic molds found growing indoors include:

    •          Fusarium species: F. solani, F. oxysporum, F. moniliforme12

    •          Penicillium species:P. brevicompactum, P. chrysogenum, P. citrinum, P. corylophilum, P. cyclopium, P. expansum. P. fellutanum, P. spinulosum, andP. viridicatum13

    •          Aspergillus species: A. versicolor, A. niger and A. flavus14

    •          Stachybotrys chartarum –This is the notorious “black mold” that is often referenced in the media. Learn more about Stachybotrys chartarum.

    What you can do about mold in your home

    The best way to control mold growth is to control moisture.

    Mold Testing and Inspection


    Our Mold Inspection Service is a Combination of Initial Inspection and Testing

    We Perform 7 Types of Mold Testing Options With Our Initial Inspection:

    Our prices are significantly less than any other mold testing and inspection business in Victoria, Duncan, Cowichan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Comox, Port Alberni and Campbell River.

    1. Instant Results – Surface Sampling for Black Mold (Viable and Non-Viable)

    2. 24 hr Results Air/Surface Sampling for Living Mold (Viable)

    3. Air Sampling for Mold (Viable and/or Non-Viable)  – Laboratory Analysis

    4. Surface Sampling for Mold (Species Identification) – Laboratory Analysis

    5. DNA sampling (ERMI Test) for Mold – Laboratory Analysis

    6. Instant Results – Surface Bacteria (Including Mold) Testing for ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

    7. Instant Results – Air Laser Particulate Counter Testing – Air Quality Assessment

    Other actions you can take:

    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 or building by applying our eco-friendly, safe chemical everywhere within your attic, 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 99.9999% 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 Vancouver Island: Victoria, Cowichan, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, and Port Alberni.