Air Quality Testing Toronto

At SafeAir, we don't just identify problems with your indoor air environment - we also provide indoor air quality solutions! SafeAir delivers a complete range of services to customers in Toronto, and throughout the GTA: air quality testing, environmental assessments, and indoor mould testing. We service residential homes as well as office and industrial buildings. SafeAir is a specialized air inspection company - our services are limited to air testing, and we don’t try to sell related services or products - your health is our primary concern!

Poor indoor air quality can be the cause of minor discomfort, or more profound and negative health issues. Indeed, in the workplace, productivity and efficiency may suffer as workers are enveloped in an unhealthy air environment. In Canada, Health Canada reports that indoor air quality in an industrialized city can be 6 to 10 times more polluted than the outdoor air. And quite often, we only experience the negative side effects after long periods of exposure.

SafeAir uses sophisticated techniques for air quality inspection in Toronto & the GTA to detect the nature of an indoor air quality issue. The testing process evaluates the composition, source and level of specific indoor pollutants, and results in a detailed report and summary. We know why indoor air pollutants are caused: poor ventilation; mismanaged humidity levels; dust and/or particulate issues; chemical off gassing; combustible gases and/or sewer gases; even traditional mould growth. And our air quality testing procedure will show you exactly what you are breathing in.

The primary objective of any air quality assessment should be to identify the source and cause of a particular problem. And since we probably spend 90% of our time indoors, the quality of air that we breathe is very important. The majority of indoor pollutants are invisible, and often odorless - so proper identification is critical to the process. Only with a professional evaluation, and the associated facts and figures can any rectification take place. SafeAir can provide that professionalism, with hi-tech tools and instrumentation, and with a qualified and experienced team of pros.

How is Air Quality Testing in Toronto Conducted?

When we do an air quality test, there is usually a minimum of two different samples that we take. If there’s a particular room or floor that you have concern over, we’ll take a sample from that room and then another from a different space - to provide a control, or baseline sample. After we’ve collected samples, they’re sent to a third-party testing facility to provide us with objective results and a report that outlines what - and how many - mold or other contaminants are present in your indoor air quality.

At SafeAir, our priority is to provide our clients with confidence and clarity when it comes to home air quality testing. When it comes to assessing your home and making positive changes, SafeAir is the best choice in Toronto and the GTA, with nearly a decade of service. Our experience in the indoor air quality field has been in working in buildings big and small, new and old, and shown us a wide array of different issues and concerns that homeowners have. Since we focus exclusively on air testing, we’ve been able to specialize in a way many companies cannot - which helps us help YOU better.

What are the Symptoms of Poor Air Quality?

Poor air quality is difficult to identify without using specialized equipment, since it’s more than just a funky smell. However, the best way to spot poor indoor air is still your nose - just not the way you think it is. Poor indoor air quality is linked to a number of symptoms that are commonly experienced in a variety of illnesses and diseases. For example - a runny nose can be caused by seasonal cold or flu virus - but it can also be caused by something in your indoor air.

Common symptoms include:

Irritation to the eyes, nose, throat and skin
Headache
Fatigue
Difficulty breathing
Congestion in your sinuses
Sneezing
Dizziness
Nausea
New or strange symptoms that appear only within certain rooms or spaces
Hearing trouble
Chills, fever

Most of our residential clients contact us when experiencing the negative side effects of poor air quality: allergic reactions; respiratory concerns; sinus problems; even headaches, dizziness and physical pains. In these cases, there’s already an air quality issue, and already a need for assessment. We also have a good number of clients who just want to know if the indoor air quality in their home is safe and non-toxic - also a great reason for air quality testing.

How Much Does it Cost for Air Quality Testing in Toronto?

Fresh air at home is one of the most important tricks to good health. Indoor air quality inspection in Toronto can tell you a lot about what’s happening in your home’s ecology and what you may need to do to improve it. An indoor air quality test is tailored to the size of your home and your individual needs, which is why SafeAir offers free consultations before we give an official quote. With the best prices in the industry, we’re positive that you’ll be happy with your options.

What is Indoor Air Quality?

Indoor air quality is one of the most important keys to good health. When we talk about indoor air quality, we’re talking about the unique make up of the air that you breathe indoors, whether that be at home or the office. Pollutions, allergens, and toxins in indoor air quality are pulled into our bodies when we breathe and affect our skin, eyes, nose, mouth, and hair, making it a powerful part of overall health and wellness.

How do you Know if There’s Mold in Your House?

Knowing whether or not there is mold present in your home is sometimes an easy task: you can see the growth on a wall or object, which tells you that there’s a problem. But what if you don’t see the mold growing? What if you’re experiencing symptoms of poor indoor air quality, or seem to never get over your last round of flu? Mold, like any organism, wants to survive, so it’s often found growing in sneaky, hidden or unseen places. Knowing where to pay attention can make a big difference to your health and indoor wellness! Some things to look out for are:

Peeling wallpaper: Wallpaper can actually exacerbate and increase mold problems by trapping moisture between the wall and the exterior surface of the paper.
Discolouration on your walls: While mold can be many different shapes and textures, it can often cause discolouration on things it’s growing on.
An increase in respiratory problems: If you suffer from asthma or another chronic respiratory condition, mold will often increase the frequency and severity of attacks.
Itchiness: While mold’s effect on the respiratory system gets a lot of press, mold also has a hugely detrimental effect on our largest organ, our skin. An increase in skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis may be linked to mold growth, but it can also make your skin dry, itchy, and irritated.
Never-ending seasonal allergies: Because mold symptoms mimic so many common viruses and allergies, it can be difficult to tell what’s causing what. But if your ragweed allergy is still bugging you in January, it might be a clue that there’s something else at play.
Your air conditioner or HVAC smells weird: Sometimes appliances can harbour mold growth - and when it comes to window air conditioning units, they’re notorious culprits. What makes these appliances so dangerous is that they push air around, and can circulate spores much farther than natural causes ever could.

Does an Air Quality Test Detect Mold?

If you’re concerned about mold growth in your home, you might be considering having a mold test or an indoor air quality test performed. But which is better? Both tests are accurate and useful ways to detect mold growth in your home, but our preference is for an air quality test - not only will it give you a good idea about all the particles present in a given space’s air quality, but it’ll also give you very accurate readings about quantities, which can help us determine the best route forward.

How do you Test for Air Quality in your Home?

Just as you wouldn’t let an electrician do your plumbing, testing your indoor air quality health is best left to a professional. Not only do we have sensitive tools that can detect even the smallest particles, but all tests are analyzed by a third party laboratory, which gives us impartial results to work with.

When you choose a professional, you’re not just getting someone who knows how to take a sample, but a trained technician with years of experience on the job and in a wide variety of homes and businesses. At SafeAir, we pride ourselves on professionalism, respect, and courtesy, and aim to provide you with a stress free consultation with as little disruption to your day.

What Causes Poor Indoor Air Quality?

There are any number of problems that lead people to have air quality testing in Toronto, Mississauga and the GTA - and many different factors at the root of the problem. Some of the most common indoor air problems we encounter include:

Cleaning products: Many common household cleansers are actually full of hazardous and harmful chemicals and Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs.
Soft furnishings: Sometimes carpets and soft furnishings like couches may off-gas chemicals or produce hazardous particles.
Glues and solvents: Many popular glues and solvents used in home construction may release gasses such as formaldehyde.
Other construction materials: Products like insulation, flooring, woods, and paints may give off harmful gasses and particles. This is why asbestos air quality testing is especially important in older buildings.
Elevated humidity: An increase in indoor humidity is often linked to mold growth and related problems.
Water leaks: A leaky sink or pipe should always be fixed as soon as possible - like humidity, water leaks are a major cause of mold growth!

How can I Improve Indoor Air Quality?

The good news is that indoor air quality is easy to improve! With just a few changes to your habits, you can reduce the gasses, particles, and allergens that can cause ill health. There are two areas that you can focus on when it comes to improvements: your air and your home.

Air

Change your furnace filters: Every furnace should be equipped with a filter - regularly changing this filter will help your HVAC system run easier and will remove all those caught particles.
Have your ducts cleaned: Ducts can trap particles and dust that contains harmful allergens. Having them cleaned is a great way to start fresh!
Ventilate: The most important part of healthier indoor air is actually fresh air. If the air inside your house isn’t being exchanged or is stuck or stagnant, this causes allergens to be stuck as well. Opening the windows is the easiest way to get a dose of fresh air, but there are also other tools to ensure that you’re moving air around efficiently.

Home

Clean: We know this one seems obvious, but it bears repeating! Washing your sheets, pillowcases, slipcovers, drapes, and rugs is one of the best ways to reduce indoor allergens.
Have a rug at the front door: Many allergens are tracked in from the outside on feet and paws, but an easy to wash rug can stop a lot of them before they get too far.
Get a houseplant: Many common indoor plants (like the spider plant or mother-in-law’s tongue) are actually great air purifiers. Don’t believe us? Just ask NASA, they studied it in the 1980s.
Use scentless cleaning products: That lemon-fresh scent from your disinfectant may smell nice, but it’s probably not doing your lungs, eyes, or nose any favours. Use scentless products for reduced irritation to your mucous membranes.

Can Mold Travel Through Walls?

Mold can spread throughout your home quite easily, but can it travel through walls? The answer we give depends on the type of wall. If the surface is porous or water absorbent, like drywall, the odds of a mold infestation travelling through the walls are high, whereas sealed concrete or other surfaces may resist flow.

Can Mold Grow Inside Walls?

Yes! Mold can absolutely grow inside wall cavities and spaces that are otherwise closed off. This happens for a number of reasons. One way that mold grows inside of walls is if there’s a leaky or burst pipe; another way is from condensation or humidity buildup. Once that moisture is in your walls, it’s difficult to dry out. After all, there’s little or no airflow in these spaces, and usually plenty of surfaces that mold likes to grow on, such as wood or drywall.

The good news is that if you suspect mold is growing behind the walls in any room of your home, there’s no need to tear down drywall to make sure. SafeAir can help you safely test for the presence of mold spores without damage or mess to your home. Our tests can positively confirm mold growth and identify which strains are present, helping you to single out which rooms are in need of remediation.

Do Mold Spores Ever Die?

Dealing with mold can be a tricky and stressful experience, and often the information out there makes it seem as though you’ll need nuclear weapons to eradicate the problem. But mold does die - though spores do not. If you have a mold problem in your home, thoroughly remediating the site and putting in preventative measures (such as fixing a leak or adding ventilation) will preclude it from growing again in the future. Prevention is the key to this equation. If mold has reproduced and sent out airborne spores, these spores can survive for a long time and will start growing again when exposed to water and ideal conditions. This is why a thorough cleaning is only one step in the fight against mold growth. Preventing the sort of conditions mold needs to thrive can stop the cycle of growth.

Do I Need an Air Test if I Smell a Musty Odour?

One of the most recognizable signs of mold growth is a musty odour. If you smell this in your home, it could be a sign that there’s a mold infestation somewhere. An indoor air quality test can help confirm this and offer strategies for dealing with the problem.

How Long Does Air Quality Testing in Toronto & The GTA Take?

An indoor air quality test can vary in time. Usually, we say that it takes between one and three hours to complete. Things that affect the length of time it takes include:

the size of your home
how many samples we need to take
what we’re sampling for

Results from our sampling usually take 7-14 business days to receive, after which we’ll know more about what the next steps may be.

Why Choose SafeAir?

Working with SafeAir can help you make better, healthier choices for your home and family. We’re dedicated to offering you polite, professional air quality monitor services that make use of the latest research and technology in the indoor air quality field.

As one of the leading companies working in the GTA, we know how important it is to have a solution that fits your home and budget - as a specialist company, our focus is 100% on indoor air quality, which means we’ll never try to up sell you on other gadgets or options. We offer guaranteed services and third-party testing to ensure that our results are impartial, and so that you have documentation to bring to insurance agents and other contractors.

If you’re interested in learning more about indoor air quality testing in Toronto & the GTA, please get in touch with our team - we’re happy to offer you a free in-home consultation. For more information on indoor air quality and how it affects you and your home, get in touch with us online, or call us at 416-414-5690.