Mould is a fungus that feeds on organic building materials. In Queensland and Northern NSW, certain species are more prevalent due to our climate. You will often find Aspergillus or Penicillium growing on damp plasterboard or Cladosporium on painted surfaces. The most infamous, Stachybotrys chartarum (often called “black mould”), requires significant water saturation and is frequently found on cellulose materials like wood framing or gypsum board after a water intrusion event. Its presence often indicates a more serious, long-term moisture problem. Identifying the visible growth is only the first step. Microscopic spores can become airborne, cross-contaminating other parts of the property and affecting indoor air quality.
A visual check is insufficient. Our certified technicians follow the Australian Standard for professional mould remediation, AS-IICRC S520:2025. The process begins with identifying the moisture source. We use non-invasive tools like thermal imaging cameras (e.g., FLIR E-series) to detect temperature anomalies behind walls that indicate water, and moisture meters to quantify water content in materials like timber and plasterboard. Where necessary, we take surface tape lift samples or air samples for analysis at a NATA-accredited laboratory, such as IECLabs or SESALAB. This provides independent, scientific confirmation of the species present and the spore count. You receive a detailed report outlining our findings and a specific scope of work for remediation.
Mould growth is a symptom of water damage. Once the source is fixed and the contamination is removed, structural and cosmetic repairs are often necessary. Our teams manage the process of restoring your property from the initial damage to final finishes. This can involve replacing sections of compromised plasterboard, treating timber wall frames, or reinstalling flooring materials. We handle repairs related to everything from slow plumbing leaks in brick-and-tile homes in suburbs like Ashgrove to significant water intrusion events that affect low-lying areas like Rocklea and Graceville. The objective is always to return the property to its pre-loss condition, ensuring all materials are structurally sound, dry, and clean.
First, we establish critical containment. This involves using 6-mil polyethylene sheeting to isolate the affected area and creating negative air pressure with HEPA-filtered air scrubbers. This vital step prevents airborne spores from escaping the work zone and contaminating the rest of your home or business.
Second, our team, wearing appropriate P2 respirators and personal protective equipment, begins source removal. For non-porous surfaces like glass or tile, we perform a detailed cleaning. For porous materials like plasterboard, carpet, or insulation that have been contaminated, they are carefully removed, bagged, and disposed of according to industry guidelines.
Finally, we execute a “HEPA sandwich” cleaning process. We conduct an initial pass with a HEPA-filter vacuum, then wipe down all surfaces with an appropriate antimicrobial solution, and finish with a final, detailed HEPA vacuuming. This process removes not just the visible mould but the microscopic spores, leaving the contained area clean and ready for post-remediation verification testing if required. We don’t use fogging as a primary removal method, as the S520 standard prioritizes physical removal of contaminants.
