Mould Inspection: Structured Building Investigation

An inspection is the appropriate first step where visible mould is present, where there is a musty smell without an obvious source, after a leak or flood, when preparing for or contesting a damp and mould complaint, and as part of due diligence before purchase or letting. It is also the right starting point before any large-scale remediation is scoped — to make sure the work addresses the cause, not only the symptom.

Sampling is not automatic. It is recommended when the inspection alone cannot answer the question that brought us in. Typical triggers include: occupant health complaints with limited visible growth, suspected hidden colonisation behind walls or under floors, contested complaints requiring documented exposure data, and clearance testing after remediation work.

Where sampling is appropriate, we explain the method — airborne spore-trap, surface tape lift or both — and the expected interpretation before any cassettes are deployed.

A typical residential inspection takes one to two hours on site; commercial buildings scale with size. We start with an external walk-around, then move room-by-room through the affected zones and through any control rooms used for comparison. Every observation is logged with a location, an instrument reading where applicable, and a photograph.

We close the visit with a verbal summary of the most likely cause and the recommended next steps, so you are not waiting on the written report to act on the obvious.

The written report sets out the findings, the most likely moisture sources, the building defects identified, any sampling results, and a prioritised list of remedial actions distinguishing what is essential, what is desirable and what is optional. Reports are written in plain English so they can be used directly by homeowners, landlords, tenants, surveyors and insurers.