The collapse of a shopping mall roof in Elliott Lake, Ontario has been making headlines across the country this week, with rescue and recovery efforts hampered by adverse conditions and a tragic end to the search for survivors.
Many questions have arisen over the delayed rescue efforts as well as over the building itself. It turns out that the Ontario Ministry of Labour has an extensive file of complaints about the building, chiefly involving leaking and – not at all surprisingly – mold. Leaking pipes and a leaking roof were among the specific complaints investigated by the Ministry, along with mold infestations.
While no conclusions have been made yet with respect to what caused the roof to collapse, the history of complaints highlights issues common to many structures both public and residential. The mall was built in the 1980’s and it’s no secret that aging buildings can pose a variety of problems.
When it Comes to Your Home
You don’t want to take chances or just keep your fingers crossed that your home remains watertight. Leaks and mold growth are often interconnected, and that’s one important reason to inspect various areas of your home on a regular basis.
- Roof shingles – skimping and cutting corners often leaves you worse off than you were before
- Attic – this is where leaks can go undetected for long periods of time, leading to areas of constant moisture and mold growth that you don’t even know about
- Eavestroughing and siding – leaks can seep into the walls of your home where mold can flourish without you ever seeing the signs
- Windows – this is another common area for water to seep in via leaks in the window itself, flashing or other outside elements
But If I Can’t See It…?
Once water gets into your home, it can end up anywhere and you may have mold growth in your walls or even floors without seeing any of the signs – but you’ll feel them. Mold spores can get into your ductwork and travel throughout your home, compromising indoor air quality.
Even if you don’t notice any of the signs of dampness or moisture, you may notice the signs of mold exposure, including allergic rhinitis and other symptoms similar to a mild allergic reaction, like throat and eye irritation as well as a runny nose – symptoms that persist without any other explanation.
Get Professional Help
Whether your basement is damp because of a flood or chronic seepage over time, the risks are clear. Mold Inspections can help with Mold Detection Services. We can find the mold you can’t see with our cutting edge equipment and mold testing methods, combined with seasoned professionals who know how to get the job done right.
Know what you are getting into. For Mold Testing and Detection Services in Toronto, Contact Moldinspections.ca
Please call us for a hassle-free quote today.
MoldInspections.ca is the trusted leader for mold-free homes and breathable indoor air spaces in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, 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.
Environment Canada has predicted a warm and “relatively” dry summer, but with the advent of hot, humid weather already this past May, we’ve already seen nasty storms and heavy rainfall conditions of the kind that can lead to basement flooding.
High temperatures and general atmospheric humidity already create ideal conditions for mold growth. If you add flooding and increases moisture, it’s the perfect recipe for it to flourish.
What to do in case of a flood
If your basement has flooded, here are some steps you can take to mitigate the damage:
- A small pump that you can purchase at most hardware stores can help to get the water out of your house and back outdoors
- Turning on the heat can help – between 20-22 degrees Celsius can help dry it out
- Clean and disinfect wet areas using household cleaners
- A dehumidifier in your basement is a good recommendation at any time: if you’re using a dehumidifier, close your doors and windows to dry it out. If you’re not using one, then opening doors and windows will help.
- Get tested! Even with the best of efforts, mold growth can still take hold inside walls and other areas where you just can’t reach.
Chronic Dampness in the Basement
If your basement is constantly damp, the problem may be the layout of the house (i.e. your property is lower than your neighbours) or water may be coming in via drainage systems like gutters, eavestroughs and drainage pipelines. You’ll typically need help from construction or landscaping contractors to fix those issues.
Even small seepage can cause big problems over time when it comes to mold and many other issues too. Here are some signs that your basement has moisture issues:
- Rusting steel objects
- “Efflorescence” on the walls – this is a whitish mineral deposit that occurs where water has come in through the walls
- Dark or stained wood
A moist basement is a breeding ground for mold growth, and it’s particularly problematic in that mold spores can get into your ductwork and travel throughout your home, compromising indoor air quality. The EPA suggests that you keep humidity levels at less than 60% with proper ventilation of basements and crawlspaces as well as the use of dehumidifiers.
Even if you don’t notice any of the signs of dampness or moisture, you may notice the signs of mold exposure, including allergic rhinitis and other symptoms similar to a mild allergic reaction, like throat and eye irritation as well as a runny nose.
Get Professional Help
Whether your basement is damp because of a flood or chronic seepage over time, the risks are clear. Mold Inspections can help with our Mold Detection Services. We can find the mold you can’t see with our cutting edge equipment and mold testing methods, combined with seasoned professionals who know how to get the job done right.
Know what you are getting into. For Mold Testing and Detection Services in Toronto, Contact Moldinspections.ca for a hassle-free quote today.
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.
Mold Inspectors in Mississauga, Vaughan, Ajax, Barrie, Caledon and beyond.
Police are looking for a Scarborough couple after a raid netted a cache of nearly 2,000 marijuana plants in a grow operation earlier this month. The townhouse, part of a complex in Scarborough near Midland and Ellesmere Avenues, featured a modified electrical system the authorities are calling a serious fire hazard. The value of the marijuana grow operation is estimated at nearly $1.9 million. The two suspects are being sought on criminal charges.
More than the Utilities
As in this case, the emphasis is often put on things like electrical systems modifications, because of inherent danger and also the diversion of the utility as a criminal act. However, mold is often a lingering and persistent problem in former grow houses long after the utility issues have been sorted out – including toxic black mold infestation.
A “Grow Op” for Mold
Marijuana cultivation requires both heat and humidity, creating tropical conditions indoors and the problems associated with them, including rampant mold growth. Mold can grow anywhere there is moisture, but it particularly loves heat and humidity.
Other health risks include:
- Poisonous gas and chemicals
- Biological contaminants
- Poor indoor air quality
- Formation of damaging mold and fungus
- Mould and mildew from intense condensation
- Greater chance of fires occurring
Grow ops are often found in upscale communities simply because of the set up: larger properties spaced farther apart. Neighbours may not see each other very often even under normal circumstances and preserving a quiet exterior is considered desirable. It allows a grow op to hide in plain sight.
How Can You Know?
If your home – or prospective home – was used as a grow op and was discovered by police, there will be a public record of it. However, even police know that for every one they catch, many more go undiscovered.It won’t be something that’s immediately apparent to the naked eye.
Indoor environmental assessments and testing helps detect former Grow Ops.
Before buying your home, or if you suspect it has been used as a ‘drug house’, consider hiring a professional indoor environmental assessment & testing company to do a mold, yeast, bacteria – and other toxic substances – inspection. These contaminates are often associated with grow ops and meth labs and are health risks.
As Indoor Environmental Assessment & Testing Specialists, you should know that it is ‘home buyer beware’, and that testing for former Marijuana Grow-Op activity has never been more important.
Know what you are getting into. For Grow-Op & Drug House Testing Services in Toronto, Contact Moldinspections.ca
Please call us for a hassle-free quote today.
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.