Author Archives: Tara Valley (Toronto's Mold Inspection Expert)
Mold Prevention: Bathroom and Kitchen Fans
We often talk about the importance of ventilation in the basement and crawl space of a house – naturally, since that’s a very common place for moisture and dampness to accumulate and it’s often a poorly ventilated area. However, other areas of the house are vulnerable to moisture build up and therefore mold growth too. The most obvious are those where using water is part of the room’s function, like the kitchen and bathroom.
Multiple Benefits of Fans
Installation of a good fan in both of these rooms will bring you multiple benefits.
- They will remove odours and improve indoor air quality overall.
- They will also help to remove moisture and decrease humidity levels.
Moisture is virtually always present in kitchens and bathroom, so it’s essential to ventilate and avoid excessive moisture build up. The moisture alone can damage wood and other building materials along with leading to mold growth.
Time to Replace Your Fan?
Even if you already have a fan, you should consider whether it should be replaced. Older fans may not be moving much air around, and they probably aren’t energy efficient. A new generation of energy efficient models are available and they’re generally quieter than older fans too.
There are two basic types of fans:
- Impeller fans – they’ll look similar to airplane propellers
- Blower fans – these look like hamster wheels – generally the preferred type
Exhaust Systems
A step up from a simple fan, an exhaust system draws the moisture and odours in and release them outdoors via a system of ducts and an exterior exhaust hood
- They may or may not use a fan
- A central exhaust system draws moisture and odours from several rooms to the outside via a system of ductwork
- An HRV or heat recovery ventilator fulfills the same function as a self-contained system with an intake and exhaust. It too can also be connected to several rooms
Here are many things to consider when buying. For More Information, including fact sheets and product ratings check the Home Ventilating Institute
Mold Detection
We can help pinpoint areas of your home that require better ventilation or other measures to deter or remediate mold growth. In our mold detection inspections we conduct temperature and humidity checks through your home or business. During removal and remediation we recommend the use of negative air pressure machines and HEPA filters – which safely permanently capture the microscopic mold spores.
Get Expert Help
Mold growth can begin to take hold within a short 48 hours of the moment when water enters into an area, so it can affect homes both new and older. A mold inspection is your way of protecting yourself against nasty surprises.
If you notice a persistent, musty odour in your home, then you need help right away. Get help from the experts at 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.
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Mold Inspections: Preventing Reno Nightmares
The courthouse in Sault Ste. Marie has been closed since August 30, when a fire swept the historic building in Northern Ontario. After extensive renovations, the building was set to re-open earlier this spring when indoor air quality testing showed the presence of mold.
Obviously it didn’t come from the fire, but it’s often in situations like that when mold is discovered. When walls have been compromised and those hidden areas where dampness and moisture like to hide and mold flourishes, hidden problems finally see the light of day.
Home Renovation “Surprises”
Like the officials in charge of the Sault Ste. Marie courthouse renewal, you may begin a home renovation project hoping for the best – and then find yourself saddled with an unexpected and unwelcome expense. The alternative is to prepare yourself ahead of time with a mold inspection.
Opening a wall or lifting up flooring to find mold infestation is more than unpleasant – it’s unhealthy. That kind of up-close exposure to mold can result in a range of respiratory and other health issues.
Including a mold inspection with your reno budget is a prudent way to protect your health and begin the work with a clearer idea of what lies in all those hidden spaces between the walls and floors. At Mold Inspections, we can offer a variety of services according to your particular situation, up to and including a household moisture assessment that will help you plan your renovations to avoid future mold growth.
Mold Testing & Inspection Services
Our team provides:
- Toxic Mold Testing
- Carpet Sampling
- Wall Cavity Sampling
- Construction Mold Problems
- Pre-Purchase Inspection
- Preventative Mold Treatments
- Household Moisture Assessment
- Moisture intrusion detection (Leak Detection)
- Mold Remediation
Get Expert Help
Mold growth can begin to take hold within a short 48 hours of the moment when water enters into an area, so it can affect homes both new and older. If you’re planning on renovating your living space, a mold inspection is a way of protecting yourself against nasty surprises.
If you notice a persistent, musty odour in your home, then you need help right away.
Get help from the experts at 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.
Posted in Exposure to mold, Mold Detection, mold prevention Leave a comment
Basement Apartment Bylaws Put the Spotlight on Mold Inspections
The Province of Ontario has passed legislation that requires municipalities to enact bylaws dealing with basement apartments. Naturally, such apartments already exists in the tens of thousands – including about 35,000 in the City of Mississauga alone – but as illegal and unregulated rental units or “second suites” as they’ve been designated.
The provincial legislation lets municipalities draft their own bylaws, recognizing that each will have specific needs and issues to address. The move has been seen as a plus for municipalities and tenants alike.
It provides an immediate response to the crisis in affordable housing, with a 21-year waiting list for subsidized housing (!) and not much else that’s affordable in Mississauga, in common with most of the GTA and Southern Ontario as a whole.
Tenant Protection & Safety
On the tenant’s side, the move provides for improved access to affordable housing as well as an assurance of safer housing, including from an environmental perspective. The City of Mississauga anticipates hiring hundreds of employees to inspect for mold, smoke detectors and other standards.
It’s certainly encouraging that there has been immediate recognition that mold poses potential dangers to renters, and those living in basements in particular. Whether you’re a basement apartment tenant or a home or building owner, the basement is a prime location for mold growth and infestation for a number of reasons.
- Dampness can be chronic from occasional flooding, sewer backups and other sources
- Inadequate ventilation, often in crawl spaces, means that any moisture lingers and creates the ideal conditions for mold to flourish
- Water can leak in from cracks in the foundation or flooring
Get Expert Help
Do you notice a persistent, musty odour in your home? Have you experienced respiratory systems or headaches that just won’t go away? Then you should call in the experts right away for an inspection.
Get help from the experts at 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.
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Pickering Raid Highlights Grow Op Risks
A recent police raid in a Pickering neighbourhood east of Toronto found a large and sophisticated marijuana grow operation, including more than 1,100 plants estimated at more than $1million in street value.
The elaborate grow op featured diversions to the home’s hydro and water operations. Designed to hide the fact that usage of both electricity and water are way out of whack with typical residential requirements, such utility diversions are common to illegal grow houses.
Marijuana Grow Ops & Mold
Growing marijuana requires certain conditions, including maintaining temperatures between 18 and 27 degrees Celsius and very moist soil conditions. Indoors, it results in higher than usual levels of humidity and constant moisture.
It means that buildings used for marijuana growing create the ideal conditions for mold to also flourish.
To compound the effect, a typical grow op may or may not involve people actually living in the residence, as the conditions understandably result in less than ideal conditions for habitation. The grow op tends to take over, in other words, and other considerations – like proper maintenance – fall by the wayside.
The Grow Op Inspection
The large Pickering bust occurred on a quiet residential street. In fact, criminals will select just this kind of “nice neighbourhood” to hide their grow op activities, and a residence may never be identified as such. For every grow op they find, police know that several more will remain hidden and continue to operate.
When you go to buy, a regular home inspection may not find mold growth from a former grow op, toxic mold that’s hidden behind walls or flooring. The only way to complete peace of mind is a specific mold inspection designed for grow-op detection.
Get help from the experts at 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 CP24′s Wylde on Health, 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.
Posted in Exposure to mold, Marijuana Grow-Ops, mold inspection- did u know Leave a comment
Toronto Apartment Building Re-Opens 3 Years After Mold Scare
In late 2008, an independent contractor was working on a kitchen cupboard refurbishing project in The Beaches neighbourhood of Toronto’s east end. Once he began the work, however, he got a nasty surprise – toxic black mold was rampant throughout the walls in virtually all of the building’s 27 units, and it was causing indoor air quality problems.
The building, near Queen Street East and Woodbine Avenue, was owned by Toronto Community Housing (TCH) which took action immediately. Within weeks, all the tenants were relocated with promises that they would be able to move back in once the building had been completely remediated. Just recently, after a three year wait, they finally started to move back into their renovated apartments.
Remediation = Reconstruction
The construction project itself took approximately 18 months and involved retaining the structure’s historic circa 1928 façade, while completely reconstructing the interior. While the ornate exterior is undoubtedly worth the effort it took to preserve it, the interior problems illustrate many of the construction issues typical of that era.
Old Problems
The building, as it originally existed, contained no insulation whatsoever, with old leaky windows. There was no ventilation system, and there was a dirt floor in the crawl space. A sump pump was used regularly to remove excess water caused by insufficient exterior waterproofing. All of these elements undoubtedly contributed to the build-up of moisture and encouraged mold growth. Among other innovations, the new window sills are furnished in manmade marble to prevent moisture build-up, and new fibreglass windows add energy efficiency along with keeping rain and other moisture out.
Old Buildings – and New
Some residents say they’re still feeling the effects of the toxic mold. While this happened to an older structure, new buildings aren’t immune from the hazards and risks of mold. You should know the common signs and symptoms of mold exposure, and be on the look out for moisture and mold in your dwelling. Mold can grow virtually anywhere, and you may not know that it’s there spreading in your floors and walls.
Watch for a persistent musty odour and symptoms such as irritation of the eyes, nose and skin, and chronic headaches. If you suspect the presence of mold in your home, get help from the experts at 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 CP24′s Wylde on Health, 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.
Posted in Exposure to mold, Mold Detection, home-did u know Leave a comment
Mold High On List of Problem Landlord’s Issues
Reports in the national news have uncovered a pretty shocking situation with the properties owned and managed by a large corporation operating under two company names and over six provinces.
The company holds 400 buildings in B.C., Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and collected a whopping 240 charges in Ontario alone for offenses ranging from failure to complete repairs to fire code violations. Despite all the violations, the company was still doing business as usual.
Many of the complaints and unresolved issues result from flooded basements, leaking walls and ceilings – water and moisture issues that have resulted in unhealthy mold growth.
While the sheer number of units involved is staggering in this case, the hard facts are this: in Canada, we live in a fairly damp climate, with fluctuations in temperature and conditions that routinely result in things like flooding, condensation and other water issues. Once water has gotten into a building, mold can follow close behind, and that’s something we all need to deal with – owner, landlord or tenant.
It means that you should know the common signs and symptoms of mold exposure, and be on the look out for moisture and mold anywhere in your dwelling. Mold can grow virtually anywhere, and you may not know that it’s there spreading in your floors and walls.
Watch for:
- A persistent musty odour
- Chronic headaches
- Red eyes or nose irritation, again chronic and unexplained
- Skin irritation or rash
- May even include more serious symptoms like fever and difficulty breathing
If you suspect the presence of mold in your home, get help from the experts at 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.
Posted in Exposure to mold, Mold Detection, Mold Testing Leave a comment
Southern Ontario Health Clinic Closed After Mold Discovered
Late last year, a Southern Ontario health clinic was closed after mold was found in the building. When a carpet was lifted for routine maintenance and repairs at a Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health Clinic, mold was discovered flourishing under it in some sections.
Naturally, officials at the health clinic were immediately concerned and decided to go beyond stipulated guidelines in an effort to protect health care workers and patients alike. They ordered the building closed for a period of about ten days until mold abatement and removal procedures could be completed. In addition air quality tests were performed to evaluate the level of risk.
Mold in the Carpet?
The incident illustrates the seriousness with which health officials consider the issue of mold infestation in the home. Mold can develop when moisture seeps in through walls or flooring, particularly more porous materials like concrete, or where there may have been plumbing leaks between floors, for example. Under the rug, in corners or other out of the way spots, it can grow undetected, affecting indoor air quality and exposing you and your family to potentially harmful effects.
It is difficult, if not impossible, to remove mold from permeable materials such as carpets, drywall or ceiling tiles, and in most cases the affected material will have to be completely removed and thrown away. Officials at the clinic took the next step in ordering professional testing and abatement services, just as concerned as you would be about the indoor air quality in your own home.
Mold can grow virtually anywhere, in any home. Where there is moisture, there is the potential for mold, and you may not know that it’s there spreading in your floors and walls until you notice a persistent musty odour, or experience the common symptoms of mold infestation, including headaches, eye irritation and more.
If you suspect the presence of mold in your home, get help from the experts at 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 Global TV, 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.
Posted in Exposure to mold, Mold Detection, Mold Inspections, Mold Removal Leave a comment
Environmental Law Study Leads to Mold Inspections
Indoor air quality issues and the hidden mold epidemic are coming more and more to the forefront of environmental agencies, as illustrated by a recent project of the Canadian Environmental Law Association. The project, which looked to study the environment and legal issues, ended up with a focus on mold in lower income homes in Kenora, Ontario.
Kenora was one of six cities which were chosen to take part in a three-year project looking at the links between environmental law and health. As part of the study, they set up an office in Kenora with workers who took complaints and reports from local citizens.
Mold Complaints
The study, which just concluded, confirmed a link between economics and environmental health. Kenora is city with a population of 16,500 and while researchers in the other five cities chosen for the project dealt with problems like industrial hazards and contamination, it became clear that the focus in Kenora would be on mold and mildew issues. About 200 households approached the Legal Aid Clinic workers reporting of mold infestation in their homes, most of them low income or rental properties.
As the program draws to a close, there are plans to take the next step on a local level and test affected housing for mold exposure to determine the exact nature and extent of the problem
Even Celebrity Homes Battle Mold
Although the study focused on low income and rental housing, recent news headlines remind that the high end homes of celebrities like Mohammed Ali and the late Brittany Murphy aren’t immune from mold either. Mold can grow virtually anywhere, in any home. Where there is moisture, there is the potential for mold, and you may not know that it’s there spreading in your walls until you experience the common symptoms of mold infestation, including headaches, eye irritation and more, along with a persistent musty odour.
If you suspect the presence of mold in your home, get help from the experts at 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.
Posted in Exposure to mold, Mold Detection, Mold Inspections, Mold Testing Leave a comment