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The Indoor Mold Is An Early Warning Device

Mold Growth On WoodThe mold (or mould, in the Queen’s English) has been the victim of a bad press. Mention the word and it conjures up an image of something rotting or in the process of decomposition. And yet, were it not for the mold that inspired the discovery of penicillin millions of lives would have been lost. If you love cheese, wines such as Auslese, Sauternes and Tokaji or the protein rich meat-like product called quorn, you can thank the mold for that, too. The mold is a network of thread-like filaments. Some molds are good, some are bad. Some of the undesirable types of mold grow in the indoor environment. Apart from being a potential health hazard, indoor mold is unsightly. You usually find them in damp sections of the building such as the attic or basement, or in the kitchen and bathroom. The mold is also likely to raise its unsightly presence in parts of the home that have been flooded or have poor ventilation.

Indoor mold is a health hazard

The indoor mold can cause health problems, especially with those suffering from asthma. A greenish-black, slimy variety known as Stachybotrys chartarum has earned the name “toxic mold” and grows on wet organic material rich in cellulose such as wood or paper (but not on concrete or tile). It may cause severe problems for humans as well as pets, and is one of the causes of “sick building syndrome”. This indoor mold can produce allergic reactions like watery eyes, headaches, frequent sneezing and coughing.

Indoor mold is an early warning device

The upside is that an indoor mold can serve as an early warning device. It tells you that an area of the home is not properly ventilated, has excess moisture and that the air quality is inferior. You can then take steps to reduce moisture in the area and remove materials that cause mold growth.

Cleaning up indoor mold

The mold is everywhere and can survive under all sorts of conditions, even in places like the refrigerator. Some molds are resistant to anti-fungal soap or highly-acidic solvents. Therefore, when cleaning up a mold-infested area, you should always wear proper protection like a respirator mask, rubber gloves and the right clothing.

The key to cleaning up an area with indoor mold is to solve the moisture problem. Dry up the excess moisture and remove all the materials that have been infested by the mold. Get rid of items like carpets and wallpaper that cannot be cleaned and dried. First spray the area with water to keep down the dust and debris while you are removing the items. The materials should then be sealed in a double-bag and the bag wiped clean to prevent the mold from spreading to other areas.

If the area with indoor mold cannot be removed, it should be cleaned with soap or detergent. After that, it helps to disinfect the area with a diluted bleach solution (care should be taken when using bleach. It is a hazard too). Do not sand or scrape the surfaces and avoid using a hammer to remove drywall that is mold-infested.

If the affected area is larger than 10 square feet, you may need to turn the job over to a professional mold remediator. You can find companies that specialize in restoring homes damaged by fire and water whose services include indoor mold remediation.

If you would like to receive more information regarding our laboratory services or our prices, please call us at 905-290-9101 (Ontario). You can also complete the form below and we shall get back to you within 2 business days.

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Mould Is A Major Problem In Many Homes In British Columbia

The damp climate in British Columbia is ideal for mould growth. It is recommended that homeowners or property managers regularly check their buildings for mould growth or water damage in order to correct the problem before it gets out of hand. For people looking for homes to rent or buy, it’s important that you check for signs of mould before moving into a place and take every step possible to prevent mould in your home. Some of the activities that may lead to mould growth include cooking, washing clothes or showering without venting out the moisture. As for tenants, finding mould may not be reason enough to break a tenancy agreement and move out of a place early. Furthermore, your landlord may blame you for causing the mould problem if mould growth was due to your lifestyle.

How To Control mould Growth

  1. Reduce Indoor Humidity By:
    • Venting showers and other moisture-generating sources to the outside.
    • Controlling humidity levels and dampness by using air conditioners and de-humidifiers.
    • Providing adequate ventilation to maintain indoor humidity levels between 30-60%.
    • Using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.
  2. Inspect the home regularly for signs of mould, moisture, leaks, or spills. The following suggest possible mould growth:
    • Mouldy or musty odours.
    • Water stains or discoloration on ceiling, walls, floors, and window sills.
  3. Respond promptly when you see signs of moisture and/or mould, or when leaks or spills occur:
    • Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours of occurrence to prevent mould growth.
    • Fix source of water problem or leak to prevent mould growth.
    • Clean mould off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely.
    • Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are mouldy, may need to be replaced.
  4. Prevent moisture condensation:
    • Reduce potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
  5. Frequently clean floor and carpet :
    • Remove spots and stains immediately, using the flooring manufacturer’s recommended techniques.
    • Use care to prevent excess moisture or cleaning residue accumulation and ensure that cleaned areas are dried quickly.
    • In areas where there is perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting.

If you live in British Columbia and have a mould problem, contact our office at 604-435-6555. We may be able to help you or direct you to people who can help.

Canadian Mould Remediation Guidelines

There are a number of mould remediation guidelines in Canada. These include:

Mould Remediation Guidelines for the Canadian Construction Industry

The mould remediation guidelines prepared by the Canadian Construction Association offers practical advice on mould-related issues (legal, insurance, and health considerations). It also offers helpful information on how to minimize mould growth, identify and measure it, and step-by-step instructions on remediation.

The guide is free to download from the CCA website http://www.cca-acc.com/documents/electronic/cca82/cca82.pdf and hardcopies can be purchased from your local construction associations.

EACO Mould Abatement Guidelines

Environmental Abatement Council of Ontario prepared this mould remediation guidelines to assist building owners, constructors, contractors, subcontractors and workers who have duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its Regulations to safely perform work activities involving Mould (Microbial) Abatement and remediation. 

OAA Mould Control Practice Guide

The Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) issued the Mould Control Practice Guide to assist and educate its members with respect to certain matters related to mould and mould in buildings. 

Mold Removal: when to use a mold removal company

When to call a professional mold removal company

Mold removal is the process of removing  all moldy or contaminated material from a building. Generally material that can be cleaned are cleaned and dried. Although it’s tempting to remove any mold you see, it’s not always practical or safe to remove it yourself. Removing mold before you know whether it’s toxic can make your family feel ill. And sometimes there’s simply too much mold for you to remove safely yourself.

What mold removal guidelines say

You may clean small areas of mold (less than 1 square meter or 3 square feet) yourself. If you do choose to clean small areas of mold yourself, please follow mold guidelines for your safety and that of your family.

Mold growth covering an area less than 10 square feet is categorised as level 1 mold growth. Level 1 mold growth can be one single area of mold or it can include several patches of mold which together would be less than 10 square feet. Remember! Cleaning the mold without fixing the moisture problem, doesn’t solve the mold problem.

If visible mold growth in your house covers more than 10 square feet or if you are not sure how to clean the mold safely, it is recommended you seek professional advice. Cleaning large areas of mold growth releases high concentrations of mold spores into the air, which could make your family feel sick.

Therefore, extensive areas of mold growth should be cleaned by a professional. Heavy concentrations of mold spores can cause or worsen health problems.

Molds don’t have to be toxic to cause health problems. Even a common, usually harmless mold can be a health issue if there is a lot of it. However, always consult a professional if your house mold is a toxigenic mold, or if you even suspect a toxigenic mold.

How Do You Tell If A Mold is Toxigenic?

If you need to know whether your house mold is toxic or not, you may want to send a sample to our lab for testing. To send a sample, download the Order Form, complete it and send it together with your samples.

Remember! – please call a mold remediation professional when:

    • You the area covered by mold growth is greater than 10 square feet
    • You’re not sure of the extent of your mold problem
    • Mold comes back after repeated cleaning
    • The home is very damp
    • A family member suffers from allergies or asthma
    • You think the mold may be a toxic mold because a family member is suffering from unexplained symptoms that may be related to exposure to toxic mold

 

If you need a professional mold removal company, please visit this mold remediation professionals directory for a comprehensive list of mold remediation specialists listed by province. We also work closely with some mold removal companies and we may be able to direct you to the right people. Give us a call at 905-290-9101.

Canadian Residential Indoor Air Quality Guideline For Moulds

Whenever mould testing is performed people want to know whether the levels of mould detected are harmful or not. While there is enough evidence to suggest exposure to indoor mould result in an increased prevalence of asthma-related symptoms such as chronic wheezing, irritation symptoms, and non-specific symptoms it has proved difficult to set exposure limits for mould. Health Canada has issued a residential indoor air quality guideline for moulds as quoted below:

“Health Canada considers that mould growth in residential buildings may pose a health hazard. Health risks depend on exposure and, for asthma symptoms, on allergic sensitization. However, the large number of mould species and strains growing in buildings and the large inter-individual variability in human response to mould exposure preclude the derivation of exposure limits. Therefore, Health Canada recommends:

  • to control humidity and diligently repair any water damage in residences to prevent mould growth; and
  • to clean thoroughly any visible or concealed mould growing in residential buildings.

These recommendations apply regardless of the mould species found to be growing in the building. “

Any visible mould should be removed safely. There are mould guidelines that outline safe procedures for mould removal. Most of these guidelines are available on the internet.

If you are a homeowner or an occupant of a house and you see visible mould growth, you may want to send samples to a laboratory for testing. The lab report would tell you the types of mould species growing in the house and whether they are known to be of health concern. But remember, regardless of the types of moulds present, the mould has to be cleaned.

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The Indoor Mold Is An Early Warning Device

The mold (or mould, in the Queen’s English) has been the victim of a bad press. Mention the word and it conjures up an image of something rotting or in the process of decomposition. And yet, were it not for the mold that inspired the discovery of penicillin millions of lives would have been lost. […]