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.
The basement of a Toronto area home has a secret that goes back to the dark days of the Cold War – and some issues any homeowner will relate to.
The home is located in Aurora, north of Toronto. Built in 1875 by one of the town’s early residents, outside it’s a lovely restored Victorian home. Inside and downstairs in the basement, you’ll find “The Bunker”.
Its official name is The Preparedness Centre, meant to serve as the hub for local government operations in the event of a nuclear attack. The Bunks is equipped with a 35 x 60 foot concrete and steel operations area complete with maps on Plexiglas boards, including one where people would list casualties and radiation data.
High Tech Communications…and Mold
Along with intriguing surprises like 100 telephone lines and storage tanks for drinking water, the current owners, who keep it functional for posterity, are fighting a constant battle many other homeowners will identify with – a battle against mold.
Concrete Basement?
Water seepage into the concrete structure has led to rotting drywall and ongoing mold growth. Concrete is a common material used in basements, both in walls and flooring, and any cracks or leaks, or frequent condensation especially where there’s inadequate ventilation, can lead to mold growth.
Do you notice a persistent, musty odour in your basement or crawl space? Is it prone to leaks or condensation? 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 CP24, CTV, 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.
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.
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.