Author Archives: Tara Valley (Toronto's Mold Inspection Expert)
One Family’s Toxic Mold Nightmare
A single mother of three in the Ottawa area bought a home several years ago and moved in with her family. Eighteen months later, they were all ill and she began to investigate the cause.What she found was nothing short of horrific – they were being sickened by a widespread contamination of toxic mold. In fact, three different strains were found after an extensive investigation.
The unfortunate lady’s story gets worse. The sellers subsequently filed for bankruptcy and listed her as a creditor, leaving her with no way to seek restitution. She moved and filed for bankruptcy.
Luckily, this lady’s story does have a happy ending now, four years later, when a Toronto based non-profit organization is helping her out and now she’s again a proud homeowner.
It’s a nightmare for any new homeowner. The house looks great, it passes the inspection and it’s only months later – after exposure to mold spores – that symptoms begin to appear.
Those symptoms can include:
· Chronic eye, nose and throat irritation
· Flu-like symptoms
· Difficulty breathing
· And much more
Mold may present itself where you don’t see it or expect it, including:
· Attics and crawlspaces
· Carpeting (particularly in the basement)
· Inside walls
· Around windows
We Can Help!
If you’re experiencing any chronic symptoms like the ones described and you can’t explain them by any other means, let us give you peace of mind. Our team provides a range of services:
· Toxic Mold Testing
· Carpet Sampling
· Construction Mold Problems
· Pre-Purchase Mold Inspection
· Preventative Mold Treatments
· Household Moisture Assessment
· Moisture intrusion detection (Leak Detection)
· Mold Abatement
· Mold Remediation
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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Race Cars – And Mold!
The Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal is one of the world’s premier car racing events but despite the glamour and the big money prizes, organizers are battling a foe many homeowners will find familiar – mold.
The so-called paddocks that will house the most famous race car drivers in the world suffers from mold and fungi infestation. Employees have been complaining about the same issues for three years, according to reports. Carpets (notorious for being mold-friendly) were changed and the paddocks painted last summer in an attempt to control the problem but crews say it’s now worse than ever.
Seasonal Structures and Mold
The trailers that make up the paddock area were added to the Grand Prix grounds a few years ago and the perennial problems with mold underscore the problem with trailers and other seasonal structures in general when it comes to mold- they’re not designed to be entirely weatherproof and our harsh climate gets inside. A little moisture goes a long way and when the structure isn’t occupied or maintained for a good part of the year, it’s a recipe for mold to flourish.
We Can Help
Just as seasonal structures are vulnerable, so are those hidden nooks and crannies in your basement, attic, underneath sinks and windows… all of these areas are mold prone and you may never know it’s beginning to infest your home.
However, sooner or later you’ll feel the results. If you experience:
- · Chronic eye, nose and throat irritation
- · Worsening allergies despite medication
- · Persistent dry cough
- · Difficulties breathing
- · Other flu-like symptoms you can’t explain by any known cause
Then you owe it to yourself and the health of your family to be sure.
For Mold Testing & Inspection Services in Toronto, Contact Moldinspections.ca
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 Mold Detection, Mold Testing, News item Leave a comment
Grow-Op Madness
A police raid in Southern Ontario found a marijuana grow-op operating in a home right next to an elementary school. By now, Ontario residents are used to hearing about illegal marijuana growing operations in our cities and towns, but the location is a shocker in this case.
Police say the townhouse was under surveillance for a short period before the raid just last week that discovered an elaborate growing operation encompassing three different rooms.
A scan of recent headlines reveals that while the location may be surprising and despite increased public awareness, the existence of the illegal growing operation shows no signs of letting up. In recent weeks, major busts have taken place in the Thunder Bay region and in another shocking case in the Kitchener-Waterloo region, a woman who was already under house arrest for producing marijuana was found to be operating another grow-op in her family home. The Crown is seeking a 7-year term for the repeat offender.
Marijuana grow-ops are all too common in both urban and rural regions of the province and in fact the Canadian grown product is known to be exported to the U.S. too. What does that mean for the rest of us?
The Biggest Risk: Mold
Marijuana cultivation requires very humid conditions under lighting that produces heat. Naturally, most of the homes used as grow-ops aren’t inhabited, and even if they are, no one would sleep in the same room as the plants. In other words, no one is cleaning up or trying to mitigate the damages and unchecked moisture inevitably leads to mold.
The humidity seeps into the walls, even floors and ceilings, and condensation is chronic around windows. In short, the conditions for mold infestation are ideal.
Other common 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
Indoor Environmental Assessments & Testing
You’re not a drug dealer or marijuana grower, but what if you’re looking to buy a home? When it’s so rampant, how can you really be sure?
We can offer indoor environmental assessments and testing that will help you to determine if your home — or the one you intend to purchase — has been used as a grow-op.
- Know what you are getting into. For Grow-Op & Drug House Testing Services in Toronto, Contact Moldinspections.ca
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 Marijuana Grow-Ops, Mold Removal, Mold Testing, growop- did u know Leave a comment
Moldy Mattresses in Halifax
Moldy mattresses?
Workers at the Halifax Infirmary discovered mold in mattresses recently and quickly removed those affected. Now, the Capital District Health Authority is saddled with the task of examining 1,000 more to see whether they’ve been affected too.
A spokesperson has stated that the mattresses are all sealed inside moisture and vapour-proof covers, meaning patients shouldn’t be exposed since the mold is sealed inside, however it leaves the question of how the moisture got into cause mold growth in the first place.
Mold Where You Don’t Expect It
It’s a bit of a bizarre case, but a timely reminder that mold can take hold in areas where you don’t expect. We might expect to find it in places like leaky basements and attics, in floors and walls, but it can infect any number of other materials too, including:
- Papers, documents and books
- Carpets
- Fabrics, including upholstery and curtains
In fact, those types of materials – which can absorb water and remain damp for periods of time – often provide an ideal environment for mold growth.
Once it’s in your home, mold can appear anywhere. Mold spores take to the air and can spread throughout your home. Know the signs, including:
- Chronic eye, nose and throat irritation
- Persistent coughing or other flu-like symptoms you can’t explain
- That telltale musty odour
If you suspect the presence of mold in your home, you owe it to yourself and your health to be sure. 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 Removal, Mold Testing Leave a comment
Grow-Ops & Disclosure Rules
In Ontario, Ontario REALTORS® (OREA) has released a document supporting the reintroduction of a grow-op registry bill. Late last year, OREA commissioned a study that confirmed 93% of Ontario residents do want to know if the home they’re about to buy was used as a grow-op, and 88% support a province-wide registry.
“The prevalence of these homes in Ontario is quite frankly alarming, and REALTORS® want to be able to warn their clients as early in the purchasing process as possible,” an official with OREA says. Disclosure of these facts is now a legal obligation but the registry would be a new step.
A recent story in the Montreal Gazette, however, raises the question of whether the rules on disclosure of former grow-op homes are perhaps too stringent.
The piece looks at the case of homeowners who have listed their home at more than $67,000 less than its market evaluation and still can’t get a bite from prospective buyers due to its history as a former grow-op. The owners have put in thousands of dollars worth of remediation work but still, no one seems willing to take the risk.
The current rules, at least in principle, tend to favour the buyer, particularly in Quebec (the other provinces which require homeowners and brokers to disclose the former grow-op status to potential buyers are B.C. and Ontario). Some real estate brokers in Quebec say the rules are sometimes unfair to properties that have been fully remediated.
Wouldn’t you want to know?
The Risks
Mold is the biggest risk with marijuana grow-ops. Marijuana cultivation requires humid conditions under hot grow lamps. The humidity seeps into the walls, even floors and ceilings, and condensation is chronic around windows. In short, the conditions for mold infestation are ideal.
Other common 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
Indoor Environmental Assessments & Testing
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.
- Know what you are getting into. For Grow-Op & Drug House Testing Services in Toronto, Contact Moldinspections.ca
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 Marijuana Grow-Ops, News item, growop- did u know Leave a comment
Bathrooms & Mold
The bathroom is a natural place for mold to flourish. Most bathrooms, in fact, contain all the right conditions for mold growth to begin:
- Moisture that lingers
- Inadequate ventilation
On top of those basic conditions, there’s plenty for it to eat in terms of soap residue and other leftovers from showers and baths. It’s not nice to think about, but any homeowner knows that keeping the bathroom clean is one of the great challenges.
- Keep it clean – it sounds obvious, but regular cleaning will help to reduce the potential for mold.
- Mold resistant grout and sealant – mold can grow right into untreated sealant and grout and once these are full of mold, they have to be replaced entirely – cleaning won’t work anymore. Begin by using products designed for kitchens and bathrooms which are mold resistant.
- Mold resistant paint – as with grout and sealant, mold can permeate the paint itself. Specially treated kitchen and bathroom paints have built in mold and microbial protection. Tip: a high-gloss paint repels moisture the best and a semi-gloss is your next best choice. Flat or matte finishes actually absorb (and thus retain) moisture.
- Ventilation is key. Recommended: exhaust fans vented to the outside. Keep the fan on up to an hour after everyone’s done showering in the morning to remove all excess moisture from the air. Consider a fan with an automatic timer that will run on its own.
- If you have no window or way to the outside, an extractor uses a heat exchange process to extract moisture from the air.
You may have mold in your bathroom and not even know it! Sure, your ceramic tile is clean but what about these other areas of your bathroom?
- Under the sink
- Around or behind the toilet
- The walls behind the plumbing
- Under flooring where there have been leaks
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.
Posted in Mold Detection, Mold Testing, mold detection- did u know, mold prevention Leave a comment
Mold and Children
Parents whose children attend schools in the Beaches-East York area of Toronto recently crowded a public meeting with the Toronto District School Board – so much so that they had to get a bigger room than they’d originally booked.
Water leaks and suspected mold are just two of a litany of maintenance issues the parents say are plaguing the aging schools in the system, with many of them using multiple portables in overcrowded conditions.
Mold and Children
Those East Toronto parents were right to take the issue of older schools and building maintenance seriously when it comes to the health and safety of their children. Mold growth and indoor air quality issues are of particular concern when it comes to the very young (and the very old). Research has shown that the effects of mold exposure are at their worst in these groups, including:
- Worsening of existing allergies or asthma even with medication
- Respiratory irritation, persistent cough or wheeziness
- Eye, nose, skin and throat irritation
- Flu-like symptoms that don’t go away
If you or your family are experiencing these or any other symptoms on a continuous basis and particularly if they can’t be explained by any other reason, you should suspect the presence of mold – which could be hidden in floors, walls, attics or basements where you don’t see it directly.
All it takes is for moisture to linger, a condition that’s especially common in areas where there’s poor ventilation. Mold growth can take hold within 24-48 hours when the conditions are right, and once it’s in your HVAC system, the spores can travel throughout your home
Let Us Help
Mold exposure is an acknowledged threat to the health and well-being of you and your family. If you suspect any leaks or lingering moisture in your home, give yourself peace of mind.
For Mold Inspection, Testing & Remediation Services in Toronto, 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 Mold Detection, Mold Inspections, Mold Testing, Mold risks Leave a comment
More Nails = Less Mold?
Simple changes can often make a big difference and that’s what the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR), an insurance industry thinktank based at Western University in London, Ontario, had in mind when they proposed changes to the Ontario Building Code.
The proposed changes came about as a result of research into the kind of property damages incurred after tornadoes hit the province in recent years, particularly on August 20, 2009, when 19 tornadoes hit land and caused great damage in Southwestern Ontario.
The one proposal which was accepted involves increasing the number of nails used in plywood roof sheathing on new homes. It involves using nails every six inches, instead of every six inches in some areas and every twelve inches in others. It’s a change that adds minimal cost to a new home construction but results in much more stability in extreme wind conditions.
Simply put, if the roof stays on, it results in fewer injuries and also much less moisture getting into a structure. Less moisture means less opportunity for mold growth.
Roofing & Mold
Even without a tornado or other extreme weather event, your roof obviously plays a crucial role in keeping your home safe and dry. That’s not rocket science. But – are you really aware of the current state of your roofing materials? It’s something most of us tend to put off or ignore until we’re confronted with water actually dripping inside.
- Be aware – check your roof seasonally to find trouble spots before they cause leaks
- Even a small leak or lingering dampness is enough to cause mold growth – check your attic space for the signs and that telltale musty odour
- Consider the new guidelines when it comes to making any repairs or renovations and consult the Building Code as a reference; you may also want to consider ICLR guidelines which go beyond the Code itself
- Mold growth can take hold within 24-48 hours when the conditions are right, and once it’s in your HVAC system, the spores can travel throughout your home
Roof maintenance is a key component of maintaining a healthy house.
Let Us Help
Mold exposure is an acknowledged threat to your well-being and you may not know that mold even exists in your home until it affects your health. If you suspect any leaks or lingering moisture in your home, or if you’re experiencing flu-like or respiratory symptoms you can’t explain, give yourself peace of mind.
For Mold Inspection & Testing Services in Toronto, 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 Mold Removal, Mold risks, mold prevention Leave a comment
Unhappy House Buyers & Basement Mold
A real estate deal gone bad has resulted in a protracted legal battle for an unfortunate couple. At the heart of the dispute was a wet basement and mold.
The couple bought an upscale property in Saskatoon a few years ago. During the sales process, they received a “Property Condition Disclosure Statement” or PCDS (in Ontario, it’s known as a Seller Property Information Statement or SPIS). The PCDS included the question “Are you aware of any roof leaks or moisture or water problems or unrepaired water damage in the dwellings …?” and the sellers answered “No”, only indicating minimal flooding on one single occasion.
However, when the couple moved into the house in 2007, a carpet cleaner discovered water underneath the carpets in the basement and moisture, mold and that telltale moldy smell elsewhere in the basement, including the walls.
The couple had to move out of the property until it was remediated and initiated court proceedings against both the sellers and the listing agent.
Basements & Mold
Basements are one of the key areas where mold can begin to grow undetected.
- Leaks can occur in the foundation, walls or concrete flooring
- Carpets will sop up the water and actually ensure that moisture doesn’t dry up properly, providing the perfect conditions for mold to flourish
- Poor ventilation in basements and crawl spaces also often contribute to lingering moisture and mold issues
Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. If you or a member of your family experiences flu-like and respiratory symptoms you can’t explain, you should seek help in determining whether mold is the cause right away.
Let Us Help
Mold exposure is an acknowledged threat to your well-being and you may not know that mold even exists in your home until it affects your health. If you suspect any leaks or lingering moisture in your home, or if you’re experiencing flu-like or respiratory symptoms you can’t explain, give yourself peace of mind.
For Mold Inspection & Testing Services in Toronto, 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 Mold Detection, Mold Removal, Mold risks Leave a comment
Winter Allergies: Dust & Mold
With the coming of winter and cold weather the windows are usually shut and we typically have much less exposure to the outside and fresh air. While many people automatically associate allergies with seasonal exposure to tree and grass spores and other outdoor elements, many allergy sufferers actually find their symptoms worse during the winter months.
Dust and mold are the most common indoor allergens and while their origins may differ they both enter the air. Mold spores may originate anywhere in your home from the basement to the attic, but once they enter your HVAC system, they circulate throughout the house.
Even Without Allergies
Dust is an easy fix – an efficient vacuum with a hepa filter will do the trick. Mold can be much more difficult to control.
Allergies will of course make you especially sensitive but even in their absence, exposure to mold spores is known to cause a variety of flu-like and even more serious symptoms including nose and throat irritation. It’s something you need to deal with for the sake of your health and that of your family.
Winter Tips
Since you’re stuck inside much of the time, winter can be a good time to check some common problem areas around the house to try and minimize your exposure to mold.
- Use a dehumidifier – mold flourishes the more moisture there is in the air. Keep humidity to 35-45%
- Check for drips in pipes – any moisture can lead to mold growth
- Check for excessive or persistent window condensation, even on harder surfaces like tile or vinyl windows, it will lead to mold. You’ll often find moisture and mold build up between double pane windows
- The basement – be sure to check for any signs of flooding or persistent dampness and deal with the causes immediately
- Old documents & papers – many of us keep old documents and memorabilia, often in the attic, basement or other storage spaces that themselves are prone to leaks, floods and other mold inducing conditions
Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. If you or a member of your family experiences flu-like symptoms you can’t explain, you should seek help in determining whether mold is the cause right away.
Let Us Help
Mold exposure is an acknowledged threat to your well-being and you may not know that mold even exists in your home until it affects your health. If you suspect any leaks or lingering moisture in your home, or if you’re experiencing flu-like or respiratory symptoms you can’t explain, give yourself peace of mind.
For Mold Inspection & Testing Services in Toronto, 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 Mold Detection, Mold Removal, Mold risks, mold prevention Leave a comment