Residential Indoor Air Quality Investigations*

Do you know that poor indoor air quality (IAQ) in the home can affect the health of occupants? Excessive moisture, mold, pets, lifestyle, chemical contaminants and carbon monoxide can cause indoor air quality problems. The good news is that there are ways to deal with such problems and improve air quality.

Most of the time, you can solve an IAQ problem yourself. CMHCs The Clean Air Guide and This Clean House video are good references to start with. But occasionally, solving an IAQ problem may require a professionals investigation. Here are some answers to questions you may have about IAQ investigations.

What is an IAQ investigation?
An IAQ investigation is an inspection of your home to determine if there are indoor air problems and to identify the sources and offer solutions.

Is an IAQ investigation the same as a home inspection?
No. Home inspections, which are primarily for real estate purposes, document the condition and deficiencies of the home at the time of inspection. They seldom include inspections for indoor air quality purposes. An IAQ investigation focuses on indoor air quality concerns.

How can I tell if I need and IAQ investigation?
An IAQ investigation may be needed for a number of reasons.

  1. You are about to undertake a renovation. Making sure the air quality is improved is a good idea.
  2. You suspect a problem but you don't know what to do. There may be a history of flooding, roof leakage or perhaps a previous fire.
  3. You can see mold, but it keeps coming back after cleaning.
  4. There may be an odour in the house that cannot be explained or removed.
  5. You suspect problems linked to the house. You feel better when you are away from your house. Or, you associate an onset of symptoms with a specific event, such as moving to the house or a renovation. Friends or family may also experience symptoms while visiting.
  6. Someone in the family may be sick or have allergies and you want to ensure the house is not contributing to health problems.
Does an IAQ investigation include air testing?
Testing the air for molds and other contaminants, as a first step is not recommended by CMHC. Laboratory tests give you limited information. Tests for a specific chemical contaminant can tell you if the chemical is present. Tests for molds can tell you the genus (family) or species of molds that are detected. The significance of the results is subject to interpretation. Furthermore, the results do not tell you the sources and how to correct the problems. A building science-based inspection has proven effective in identifying IAQ problems and solutions. Taking remedial action is far more important than identifying individual contaminants.

Should one find out if toxic molds are present? When mold is found in a house, the solution is to clean it up and correct the source of moisture. Currently accepted guidelines emphasize fixing the problem rather than identifying the type of mold. However, specific situations may require mold testing. We will let you know if tests are advised.

What if I suspect carbon monoxide?
Seek immediate help. If you suspect carbon monoxide, call Manitoba Hydro at 480-5555 or a licensed contractor to check your heating system. Carbon monoxide can be deadly.

How much does an IAQ investigation cost.
The cost for an IAQ investigation will depend on a number of factors: location, size of home, complexity of the problem, etc. A typical investigation of an average size home in Winnipeg is $500. The costs of any laboratory testing, if required or requested is additional.

What should I look for in an investigator?
House Review's IAQ investigator, Roger Chamberland is CMHC trained and registered. Roger has over 25 years of building inspection experience. CMHC protocols and procedures are followed for every inspection and a detailed inspection report is provided following the inspection. We are not affiliated with any testing laboratory or remediation company, and we will not try to sell you a product or service other than an IAQ investigation. We are members, in good standing, of the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors and Better Business Bureau of Winnipeg. Roger is also a nationally certified and registered home inspector.

What are the benefits of hiring a trained professional to do an IAQ investigation?
A trained IAQ investigator is more likely to find the problems, determine the causes and provide the appropriate corrective measures. You can avoid mistakes and unnecessary costs if the problems and solutions are properly evaluated. You can be sure that House Review will provide you the necessary expertise to get it done right the first time.

What will I receive from the IAQ investigator?
Any IAQ investigation will always include a written report providing an assessment of the problems, causes and recommended solutions. All recommendations will be ranked according to their importance and cost. This makes it easier for you to make decisions or take steps to correct the problems.

What does the CMHC investigation procedure involve?
An IAQ investigation using CMHC procedures includes:

  1. Gathering information about your house, its history and any health concerns of the occupants.
  2. Conducting a comprehensive interior and exterior inspection and documenting IAQ problems at time of inspection. Generally it takes 2-3 hours to conduct this inspection.
  3. Analyzing how your house performs based on the information collected; and
  4. Providing you a comprehensive report that identifies the problems, pinpoints their sources and recommends solutions.
At this time, House Review's IAQ Investigator, Roger Chamberland is the only Winnipeg based person who has successfully completed the rigourous CMHC Residential Indoor Air Quality Investigator training. You can be sure of professional expert advice, we guarantee it.

Call us today to arrange your investigation..253-4076.

Contact CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 for further information on the CMHC Residential Indoor Air Quality Investigator Program.

* Text source CMHC brochure, Breathe Healthier Air In Your Home.