Why Mold and Air Quality Testing is Essential for Calgary Home Buyers

When touring homes in Calgary, you’re focused on square footage and kitchen upgrades. However, a major threat to your health and investment often lurks unseen: poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and hidden mold.

Mold and air quality issues are common in the Calgary area due to factors like varying humidity, long heating seasons, and poorly ventilated basements.¹ Before you commit to a home, an air quality test from NexLevel Home Inspections provides the crucial data needed to ensure you are buying a safe, healthy property.

1. Mold: The Hidden Cost of Moisture

Mold spores are everywhere, but they only become a serious problem when they find consistent moisture.² In Calgary, this often happens due to:

• Attic Rain: Winter condensation that leads to frost and then melts, soaking the roof decking.³

• Basement Leaks: Water ingress or seepage into the concrete foundation.⁴

• Poor Ventilation: High humidity trapped in bathrooms, kitchens, or crawl spaces.⁵

Why You Need Testing:

You cannot always see mold. It often hides behind drywall, under carpets, or inside HVAC ducts.⁶

• Visual vs. Airborne: An inspector might spot a visible leak, but air quality testing detects the concentration of airborne mold spores. If the indoor concentration is higher than the outdoor level, it indicates an active, hidden mold growth problem.⁷

• The Health Risk: Mold exposure can trigger allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues, especially in children and the elderly.⁸

• The Financial Risk: Mold remediation is expensive, typically costing thousands of dollars.⁹ Discovering it before you buy gives you critical negotiation leverage.

2. Beyond Mold: What Else is Hiding in the Air?

Mold is just one component of poor IAQ.¹⁰ An air quality test evaluates other contaminants that can affect your health and comfort:¹¹

• VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds): These gases are emitted from common household items like paints, carpets, cleaning products, and building materials.¹² High VOC levels can cause headaches and long-term health effects.¹³

• Allergens and Particulates: We test for high levels of dust mites, pet dander, and other particulates that contribute to chronic respiratory issues.

• Radon (The Silent Killer): While requiring specialized, long-term testing, air quality concerns often remind buyers to test for Radon, a naturally occurring, odorless gas common in Alberta that is the second leading cause of lung cancer.

3. The NexLevel Air Quality Advantage

Don’t rely solely on a “dog nose” test. Our professional mold and air quality testing provides objective, scientific data you can trust.

• Sampling Process: We take controlled air samples inside the home and an external control sample for comparison.

• Laboratory Analysis: Samples are sent to an accredited lab for analysis, providing a detailed report on the species and concentration of mold spores and other contaminants.¹⁴

• Actionable Reports: We translate the lab results into clear, easy-to-understand recommendations. We tell you where the problem is likely originating (e.g., poor attic ventilation, basement humidity) and the next steps for remediation.

Buying a home should be an investment in your future and your health. Partner with NexLevel Home Inspections to breathe easier and ensure the air inside your new Calgary home is as safe as it is comfortable.

📞 Schedule Your Air Quality Test Today

Protect your health and your investment with professional testing across the Calgary area.