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.

Allstate Insurance recently reported that water damage has become the leading cause of property damage in Canada. Citing the growing number of torrential rainstorms combined with aging infrastructure in many Canadian cities, it adds up to a recipe for water damage – along with mold growth and infestation.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada estimates that losses to water damage amount to a whopping $1.7 billion a year, and Allstate says that 39% of those claims are related to sewer backups in the wake of flooding.

“Water seems to be the new fire as it is now the leading cause of property damage in Canada,” says Karen Benner, spokesperson for Allstate Canada. “Even if your neighbourhood has never experienced problems with basement flooding or sewer backup, your home can still be at risk. Overloaded sewers can back up through household sewer lines and flow into basements or ground level apartments,” says Benner.

Some helpful suggestions:

A backwater valve – prevents sewage form getting into the home – also a sump pump in the basement for emergencies
Disconnect your downspout from the sewer system
Don’t use washing machine or dishwasher in rainstorm to avoid overloading the sewer system

A case in point:
Students at London’s Wilfrid Laurier University have been deprived of their beloved Wilf’s Pub since October after a sewer backup caused extensive damage to the building. After it underwent extensive rehabilitation, there was an attempt to reopen the pub in January, however mold issues resurfaced and caused it to be closed all over again.

The example illustrates the importance of getting good help, a seasoned mold removal expert like Mold Inspections who will do the job right. 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, CP24, 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.

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.

It’s always fascinating to see people more upset over seeing a pet or cuddly animal harmed than another human being. Perhaps, then, knowing that toxic mold is very dangerous to pets will finally motivate certain homeowners to have mold inspections done.

A study by the American Veterinary Medical Association documents what appears to be the first known case of toxic black mold poisoning pets. The case that produced the finding involved two cats. During a routine mouth examination of two Himalayan cats before their dental cleanings, a veterinarian noticed frothy blood collecting in the endotracheal tubes used to anaesthetize the cats.

As the veterinarian, Douglas Mader, explained, “The circumstances of these cases are just not heard of. Anaesthesia doesn’t cause pulmonary hemorrage.”

Sure enough, both cats died – one the following day and the other two weeks later. Blood taken before their deaths was analyzed and showed high levels of the toxin produced by Statchybotrys chartarum, a.k.a. toxic black mold.

As it turns out, the cats’ home, based in Florida had been previously devastated by water damage from a hurricane. The moisture fostered the growth of mold and, within a few months, the walls of the home were completely infested with it.

It’s strange that the cats’ case is the first documented instance of pets being affected by toxic mold – but the results shouldn’t surprise us. We know that not undergoing a periodic mold detection process could allow spores to grow in our homes and that toxic black mold causes countless respiratory problems. Any mammals in particular, who breathe just like we do, are naturally just as much at risk.

If hearing about people getting sick from mold in their homes doesn’t spring you into action, maybe the sad story of innocent animals dying from mold exposure will do the trick. Take mold seriously and have a certified mold inspector check to make sure it isn’t growing in your dwelling.

Please note: Environmental Services Group Inc. will be available for emergency occupational and indoor air quality investigations over the Easter Holiday weekend. Our fees will reflect after hour and emergency/holiday rates.

Emergency Numbers are
Lawrence Kurtz, ROH 647-282-4773
Tara Valley 416-436-8474

In 2010, the amount of power of sale homes sold in Canada doubled. Power of sale homes are houses that have been essentially repossessed and sold off by the lender after the former owner defaulted on their mortgage, but their “as is” status is what makes it especially important to undergo a mold inspection.

If you ever find yourself in the position of buying a power of sale home, a separate mold inspection is equally as important as obtaining a home inspection – because a home inspection alone may not find hidden mold. After reading your paperwork carefully (power of sale home paperwork is long and complicated, so you may want to hire a real estate lawyer) you may notice various clauses in the contract stating the home is being sold “as is”, which means that if there is a serious mold problem found after you purchase it, there is little recourse.

There are generally no guarantees that the home is safe when buying a power of sale home and the home may have been in disrepair for some time if the initial owner did not pay their mortgage.

The home itself may have been used as a marijuana grow-op or became a haven for mold growth after being left abandoned for quite some time. In any case, power of sale homes can present serious mold risks for home buyers. Power of sale homes are often very low in price and can be a great way for younger home buyers to own their first home. And, as the saying goes, “better to be safe than sorry.” In this case, a mold inspection could be the difference between being safe, rather than sorry.

Should you suspect the presence of mold in your home or business, contact MoldInspections.ca – The Greater Toronto Area’s (GTA) mold and grow-op inspection professionals – at (416) 575-6111

Mold Inspections in Toronto the GTA: Mississuaga, Vaughan, Ajax, Barrie, Beaverton, Bowmanville, Bracebridge, Brantford, Burlington, Caledon, Cambridge, Cobourg, Collingwood, Georgetown Guelph, Hamilton, Keswick, Kitchener, Lindsay, London, Markham, Milton, Mississauga, Muskoka, Newmarket, Niagara Falls, North York, Oakville, Orangeville, Oshawa, Owen Sound, Peterborough, Pickering, Port Carling, Port Hope, Richmond Hill, Severn Bridge, Sarnia, Simcoe, Southwest Ontario , St Catharines, Thornhill, Toronto, Vaughan, Waterdown, Waterloo, Whitby and Windsor Ontario

If you’re buying a home, undergoing a mold inspection is one way to prevent any nasty surprises before you move in. But what are some things you can do to prevent mold growth in your current home?

First, understand that only three things are needed for mold to grow in your home: food (which is any organic material including paper, cardboard, drywall, wood and carpet), moisture (humid air, water or moist materials after a flood) and warmth – some molds can survive below freezing temperatures and grow when temperatures rise, but temperatures between 20 C and 32 C are perfect for mold growth.

Top 5 tips for keeping your home mold-free

1. Dehumidify. Use dehumidifiers where necessary to help keep humidity under 50%, especially in damp basements. Mold thrives at humidities over 50%, and the ideal humidity for your home is between 30% and 50%.

2. Keep your basement toasty. Because of their proximity to the ground, basements are generally cooler in temperature and experience dampness more than other parts of a home. This combination of cool air and moisture leads to condensation trapped behind walls, which can lead to mold growth. Try to keep your basement above 15 C.

3. Get in the habit of using your fans. After a steamy shower, turn on the bathroom fan to eliminate excess humidity in the bathroom, which promotes mold growth. Similarly, use the vent on your stove when cooking in the kitchen to keep it cool and dry.

4. Check your storage. Invest in plastic bins to store your belongings rather than relying on cardboard boxes, which can become a food source for mold. Consider using plastic or aluminum shelving in garages or basements, as opposed to wooden shelves that are susceptible to moisture.

5. Keep on top of potential mold growth. Annual mold inspections – and having a mold inspection conducted following a flood or leak in your home – can help homeowners catch mold growth before it becomes a more serious and expensive problem.

Contact us today for information on mold prevention and for certified mold inspections in Toronto, Mississauga, Vaughan, the GTA and Ontario.

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