NorCal mold dog inspections

We provide mold detection dog inspections throughout Northern California, serving the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Mendocino County, and nearby communities.

A dog and his handler working at a Nor Cal home

Unlike other mold testing methods, a mold dog inspection is a fast and non-invasive way to uncover hidden mold.

Here’s why our NorCal clients call us:

Checking a home or rental before committing to a contract

Buying or renting in Northern California? A mold dog inspection checks the space for hidden mold, so you can anticipate repairs and mold-related problems before you commit.

They’ve recently remediated and want to confirm it was done successfully

Many clients detect a musty smell, have found a leak, or just feel like something isn’t quite right with their space. Our inspections can help them verify if their hunch is correct.

They want to check their rental or commercial properties

We can help determine whether there are any remaining mold sources present, so clients can confirm their remediation was effective.

They think they’re dealing with mold and want to be sure

Property managers and landlords use mold dog inspections to catch potential issues before they become larger problems, protecting tenants, avoiding liability, and maintaining the condition of their properties over time.

The NorCal mold dog team

Meet our small team

We started this work because of our own very difficult journey with mold. We spent many years chasing mysterious symptoms, trying to figure out what was going on so we could resume our lives.

The answers came slowly, as we went down many paths before we even thought to check our home for mold. And when we finally did, we still struggled with unhelpful, inaccurate, and expensive testing methods. At times, it felt like we were losing time to mold, but looking back, we think our experience was leading us to where we are now.

Simon has spent more than a decade in the healthy buildings space. He worked alongside some of the brightest scientists, engineers, and healthy buildings experts, consulting businesses on their spaces. Now, he brings that experience and handler training to help our clients.

We’re so grateful to serve our community in this way.

A mold dog sniffing a property in Northern CA.
Mold dog and handler in northern california

Cities we serve in NorCal

We call Northern California our home, and we count ourselves lucky to be serving folks in our own “backyard.”

Nor Cal mold dog in working vest
Nor Cal mold inspection team

San Francisco

East Bay

South Bay

North Bay

Sonoma County

Napa Valley

Sacramento

Mendocino County

Santa Rosa

Oakland

Berkeley

More

Nor Cal mold dog looking out the window

When should I use a mold dog?

Not sure whether you need a mold dog or another method? Here’s why a mold dog inspection may be right for your NorCal space:

❋ Actionable data

A well-trained mold dog can pick up mold odors at very low levels—even when the human eye can’t see any mold. Some tests tell you whether mold is present, the dog does this and helps narrow down where the source(s) are hiding.

❋ Non-invasive

We don’t have to drill holes or cut into walls to be effective. Our mold dog, combined with our thorough visual inspections, can detect mold issues without leaving any physical evidence.

❋ Fast answers

Because a mold dog can quickly move through the property, inspections are often faster than many traditional methods, providing same-day results. No waiting for dust to collect, or sending samples into a lab.

❋ Complementary testing

Some clients come to us after air or surface testing has already confirmed mold, while others start with a mold dog inspection right away. Combined with other testing methods, clients can piece together a more complete picture of what’s going on with their space.

❋ Early detection

Mold can sometimes be detected before it becomes a larger, more obvious problem. Catching it early may help you avoid bigger repairs, added expense, and unnecessary stress.

❋ A more targeted starting point

A mold dog can help take you from “where could the problem be?” to “this is the area to look at more closely,” narrowing a whole home down to specific spots that may warrant further investigation.

“If you’re concerned or just want peace of mind about mold in your house, I highly recommend Fido Finds Mold. You’ll get the answers you’re looking with and a fun play date with a dog.”

Nehama R.

Mold inspector on the Central Coast inspecting a property

What can I expect when your mold dog inspects my space?

Every inspection is tailored to the property, but most take 2-3 hours.

We start with a walkthrough of the home or building, inspecting accessible interior and exterior areas for signs of moisture, previous water damage, and visible mold.

From there, Hee-do and his handler, Simon, conduct a thorough search of the property. When Hee-do detects mold-related odors, he’ll alert to the area so it can be evaluated more closely.

Once the inspection is complete, we’ll review our findings with you, explain any alert locations, answer your questions, and discuss potential next steps. The timeline below provides a general overview, though every inspection varies based on the property’s size and complexity.


Arrive & overview

9:00 – 9:10 am


Visual inspection

9:10 – 9:40 am


Mold dog inspection

9:40 – 10:15 am


Verbal summary of findings

10:15 – 10:45 am


10:45 – 11:00 am (& after visit)

Fielding of questions

Have questions or ready to book a mold dog inspection for your NorCal property?

Share a few details and we’ll get back to you soon.

Or, give us a call or text at (510) 822-0277.