The RCMP has come up with a good idea, one that will protect prospective homeowners from environmental threats like toxic mold. But a closer look at the plan suggests the RCMP may not be doing enough.

In theory, the plan is smart. The RCMP will deploy officers to investigate marijuana grow operations and place any home found to be a grow-op or former grow-op on the RCMP website on a special list.

The problem: the homes will be removed from the website after a year. That means anyone whose home is infested with toxic mold can simply hide the problem for a year. There are plenty of ways to mask toxic mold without eliminating it, such as painting over it or covering it with wallpaper. Doing so doesn’t stop the mold spores from causing respiratory illnesses such as asthma; it only hides it from potential home purchasers.

The problem highlights how important it is to have a certified mold inspector check out any new home you buy or are interested in buying. A mold expert knows about threats like grow-ops and will know all the places to check for hidden mold.

Ideally, the RCMP would keep the grow-op homes on a permanent list. That way, mold inspection and removal companies would know which houses require special attention. But, unfortunately, that isn’t the case. For now, it’s up to prospective Canadian homeowners to be proactive.

If you’re worried about a house being a former grow-op, don’t take the owner’s word for it just because it isn’t on the RCMP’s website list. It could easily be a grow-op home that hid its mold for a year. If in doubt, get a mold detection company to check out the problem for you.

MoldInspections.ca is the trusted leader for mold-free homes and breathable indoor air spaces in Toronto, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and beyond. Providing certified mold inspection, detection and testing since 2005, we service home owners, real-estate agents, landlords, property managers, insurance companies and businesses. Featured on CTV, Global TV and recommended by contractors, we regularly serve as expert witnesses in court proceeding relating to Mold and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) issues. Do you have mold? Call us today for a free quote at (416) 575-6111.

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Hurricane Irene has ravaged the United States in obvious ways, blowing down and flooding countless homes, but the natural disaster can inflict long-term damage, too. The moisture created by flooding creates an ideal breeding ground for toxic mold spores.

The impact can also be felt north of the border. In Canada, we were hit with major storms as a residual effect of Irene, so a GTA mold inspection company could be just as busy as an American one theoretically.

Naturally, it’s a smart idea to undergo a mold inspection even just to see if your home is at risk after a flood. However, while you’re waiting for the help to arrive, the Center for Disease Control recommends a few key tactics to perform in the first 24 to 48 hours after flooding.

1. Dry out the building quickly. Open doors and windows, get air flowing through your home, use dehumidifiers or fans, and do anything possible to dry your place out.

2. Get tough on porous items. It may be frustrating, but you’re better off saying goodbye to any porous or “undryable” items that can’t be properly cleaned and dried. That includes wallpaper, drywall, insulation, leather, cardboard, paper, and even some clothing, just to name a few items. Trying to dry them isn’t worth the trouble because it’s virtually impossible to completely to do so. The smarter move is to get these mold-prone items out of your home!

3. Clean wet, salvageable items with water and detergent. The use of detergent or bleach to combat mold is a source of debate in the mold inspection community. But, even if detergent can’t kill mold, it may be effective at making conditions undesirable for mold to initially grow.

The CDC is adamant that you act quickly if your basement has been flooded. Once the initial work is done, you can contract a certified company for affordable mold testing.

MoldInspections.ca is the trusted leader for mold-free homes and breathable indoor air spaces in Toronto, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and beyond. Providing certified mold inspection, detection and testing since 2005, we service home owners, real-estate agents, landlords, property managers, insurance companies and businesses. Featured on CTV and recommended by contractors, we regularly serve as expert witnesses in court proceeding relating to Mold and Indoor Air Quality issues. Do you have mold? Call us today for a free quote at (416) 575-6111.