Mold, mildew and various types of bacteria tend to love warm, wet or damp, dark places. Unfortunately, your favourite warm shower or hot relaxing bubble bath—combined with a lack of ventilation or air circulation—can often make your cherished bathroom the ideal breeding site for these types of unhealthy organisms to set up shop.

Looking for some handy tips to help prevent mold, mildew and other types of bacteria in your bath?

Here are five of our top tips!

Help the humidity get outside.

Hot baths and showers generate an intense amount of humidity, or water vapour in the air. So the first step is to give the extra humidity that has accumulated during bathtime the boot! Do whatever you can, as often as you can, to help the room return to being dry and moisture-free, and as quickly as possible.

You want the humidity to be cycled outside rather than inside so a properly installed bathroom exhaust fan is a must.

Bathroom exhaust fans are the norm but in some houses, especially older ones, building codes at the time dictated that the bathroom needed only either a window or a fan. An exhaust fan is a better bet, especially in winter, so consider having one professionally installed if you don’t already have one.

Experts recommend running bathroom exhaust fans for at least 30 minutes to help the warm air escape to the outside. Bonus tip: If you notice moisture on your bathroom walls or mirror, the fan hasn’t run long enough. Keep it going!

If you’re a busy professional or part of a busy family, you might enjoy the convenience of a bathroom timer. This simple investment makes it easy to run the bathroom timer while on a busy schedule—just set it and forget it! You can head out the door without worrying that the fan is going to run needlessly all day.

Eliminate all accumulated water.

Mold and mildew can’t thrive in areas that don’t provide it with a ready and regular source of water. So the next step is to eliminate any water that accumulated during your bath or shower… and if you’re anything like most people, that can be a lot!

Water on the floors, countertops, glass or plastic shower enclosures, and especially on your shower curtain needs to be eliminated to help prevent mildew or mold from forming.

After every bath or shower, wipe up excess water on floors, countertops or other surfaces, and wipe down your glass shower enclosure or plastic shower curtain. You might also like to store your wet towels in another room or on a heated tower rack to help them dry faster.

Stop all leaks.

In addition to the water that may accumulate during showers and baths, water can also be introduced through old fixtures, such as leaky toilets, taps or pipes. Have them professionally inspected and repaired to reduce additional water from being introduced and accumulating.

Seal and caulk your tiled tub and shower surrounds.

It’s a common misconception that the grout between your bathroom tiles, under your toilet, or inside your tiled tub or shower surround is waterproof. In fact, it’s actually porous so it will absorb any accumulated water, which can then potentially cause damage to the subfloor or other structures.

In potentially humid areas like bathrooms, we highly recommend applying a grout sealant to newly tiled areas such as showers. In addition, you should caulk all corners, crevices and the bottom row of tiles where they meet the bathtub with a specialized bathroom caulk designed for the job.

Inspect, clean and store children’s toys appropriately.

A common and yet not well-known source of mildew and mold in bathrooms is children’s toys. You know, those plastic tub toys that kids love to play with, drink water from, or put in or on their mouths during bathtime?

Yeah, those ones!

Sadly, even those beloved tub toys, when exposed to water and humidity, can become a serious harbinger of different bacteria, mildew and mold when not cared for correctly.

We recommend checking all your children’s toys on a regular basis. You can clean plastic toys with soap (unless the mold has infiltrated the plastic, in which case throw it out and buy a new one) and launder fabric or terrycloth toys in the washing machine.

That said, storing children’s toys properly is key to help prevent mildew and mold from forming and growing in the first place.

This means allowing the waterlogged toys to drain properly, either hanging up, stashed in a ventilated basket or nestled in a mesh bag. Don’t use baskets or bags where water can collect and be careful not to overload them. Aim to have 360° ventilation around the toys in your chosen storage solution.

Stuck for toy storage ideas? Check out Pinterest for a variety of effective and stylish storage solutions.

Do you suspect mold, mildew or other bacteria in your Toronto area home or workplace? Give us a call and our GTA-based mold testing professionals can perform an assessment to locate, identify and remedy any potential mold issues that may be present in your bath or other rooms. Free phone consultations. Contact us today!

Late in the year – around Christmas-time – doctors and other medical professionals notice a spike in respiratory illnesses. So-called Christmas tree syndrome can cause a variety of symptoms, including:

Coughing and wheezing
Itchy nose and eyes
Fatigue
Problems sleeping

At the root of these problems is mold. Trees, particularly evergreens, naturally house mold as they grow outside. According to a new study at SUNY Upstate Medical University, mold is common in conifers.

The problem is compounded when you bring the tree indoors, where warm, humid conditions cause the mold to multiply. In fact, the researchers found that after a tree was put on display indoors for two weeks, the number of airborne mold spores leaped from 800 per 35 cubic feet to 5,000. As you breathe in the spores, they cause physical symptoms – just as it would if the mold was in your walls or around your windows.

Even if you don’t think of yourself as allergy-prone, sensitivities can flare up at any time and you don’t have to be allergic to mold to feel its effects.

Here are some tips on how to minimize Christmas Tree Syndrome:

Wash the tree and let it dry before bringing it indoors (you can also spray it with a mold-resistant sealant)
Get rid of it quickly after Christmas – the longer it lingers, the more mold it brings in
Use an air purifier in the room where the tree is standing
Go artificial

But – even if you use an artificial tree, you’ll still need to take care of allergy issues… like dust.

Mold in Your Home
A persistent musty odour may be your only outward sign of mold infestation. It can begin to infest your home from even a pinhole sized leak in plumbing or a loose shingle on the roof and begin to grow inside walls and floors where you’ll never see it. Once it’s established, mold spores can enter your HVAC system and disseminate throughout your home.

We Can Help
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 news, official supplier to HGTV’s Income Properties with Scott McGillivray and Leave It To Bryan and recommended by local 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.

This year’s damp weather all over North America has caused mold allergies to flourish. Mold spore counts were measured as high as 125,000 in the Midwest United States – and 50,000 is normally considered an indication of dangerous air quality issues.

There are estimates that mold allergies have increased by 12 percent in the last three years alone. You may not be able to do anything about the weather, but you can help to minimize your exposure to mold – whether or not you have an allergy (yet!)

Outdoors

Minimize mold in your outdoor environment by getting rid of piles of leaves and other yard waste that’s left to sit quickly. Mold spores can get tracked back into your home.
When the weather is damp or muggy, keep windows closed and use an air filter.
When working in the yard, wear work clothes that you keep separate and away from the inside of your home, putting them on and taking them off as close to the door as you can.

Indoors

Make sure to be on top of regular maintenance and check for leaks and lingering moisture especially in basements, attics and other places where you may not see it.
Pay attention to the signs of mold infestation – a persistent musty odour, flu-like symptoms, any worsening allergies – and get professional help if you suspect you have mold in your home.

That musty odour may be your only outward sign of mold infestation. It can begin to infest your home from even a pinhole sized leak in plumbing or a loose shingle on the roof and begin to grow inside walls and floors where you’ll never see it. Once it’s established, mold spores can enter your HVAC system and disseminate throughout your home.

We Can Help
Mold is recognized as a serious health hazard – it’s not something you can ignore or just wipe away with regular household cleaners. 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 news, official supplier to HGTV’s Income Properties with Scott McGillivray and Leave It To Bryan and recommended by local 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.

You may be aware of the dangers of mold when it comes to leaky basements or attics, but have you ever considered that it might be lurking in some of your household appliances?

A new study found that 62% of dishwashers contain mold and about half of these were also home to a black yeast that can cause illness. In dishwashers, the rubber gasket around the door is typically the culprit, providing a welcoming – i.e. perpetually moist – environment for mold and other organisms to flourish. Dirt and debris can collect in this area because it’s not cleared out with the wash cycle.

It turns out that your vacuum cleaner may also be home to mold and other allergens. Human detritus – skin cells, hair, and so on – collects on your floor, where vacuuming can actually kick it back into the air. Your vacuum actually creates dust – aerosolized dust that contains small, breathable particles. Once it’s gone through the machine, it can also be re-released in breathable form. Older models in particular are prone to this type of phenomenon.

The good news is that these types of situations are preventable. Some tips:

Use a vacuum with a hepa filter – although it’s not perfect in removing allergens, it eliminates most
Use a microfibre or electrostatic duster (not feathers!)
Change your vacuum’s filter regularly
Get rid of old carpets and area rugs where those biological scraps and moisture can linger and create mold
Clean the rubber gasket of your dishwasher regularly – once a month at least
Clean around the dishwasher’s drain to make sure water is exiting properly

Just like your home itself, when it comes to appliances, proper and regular maintenance and repairs are the keys to avoiding mold infestation.

A Lingering Smell…
A persistent, musty odour may be your only outward sign of mold infestation. It can begin to infest your home from even a pinhole sized leak in plumbing or a loose shingle on the roof and begin to grow inside walls and floors where you’ll never see it. Once it’s established, mold spores can enter your HVAC system and disseminate throughout your home.

You may also notice the health effects of mold before you actually see it – including respiratory, nose, throat and eye irritation and other flu-like symptoms.

We Can Help
Get help from the experts at MoldInspections.ca. Please call us for a hassle-free quote today.

A PhD in mycology (the study of fungi) from the University of Toronto found his life’s quest tracking down the source of black mold that covered buildings within and around the Hiram Walker Distillery in Windsor, Ontario.

It’s the site – directly across the river from Detroit – where Canadian Club Whisky is stored in wooden barrels to age before being bottled and sold. For years, the neighbours had complained of a black mold that coated their houses and blamed the distillery, who hired James Scott to investigate.

What he found was a particular type of fungi that was spread by what is called “the angels’ share” – the whiskey vapours that evaporate into the atmosphere during the aging process. This provided a constant source of moisture.

Mold and Fungi
The story represents a unique case where the source of mold infestation was very specific but all mold comes from fungi. Such mold fungi can be produced by the natural decay of virtually any natural material.

In the case of household mold, like the case of the `whisky mold`, it`s the natural result of moisture plus available material. Household mold develops from the combination of moisture and the organic (carbon based) materials found in carpets, drywall and other materials common in any home.

That means that any moisture that lingers in your home from

a leaky roof
leaky windows
even undetected pinhole leaks in plumbing

can cause mold to grow within 48 hours.

Health Effects of Mold
The problem with mold isn’t just unsightly discolouration. Any type of household mold can produce the allergy or flu-like symptoms such as

persistent coughing
eye, nose and throat irritation
worsening allergies
trouble breathing

This summer’s wild weather and flooding all over the GTA and the province of Ontario is by all accounts a sign of things to come. Mold spores will begin to grow and infest any area where moisture lingers.

We Can Help!
Get help from the experts at MoldInspections.ca. Please call us for a hassle-free quote today.

One man’s Toronto Community Housing Corporation nightmare is a handy wake-up call for many home and property owners. Repairs neglected are repairs that grow bigger – and mold is often the result.

Cliff Dwyer and his wife live in an apartment at an old, old city property that has definitely seen better days. He first began noticing a leak in his kitchen ceiling that was coming from the roof last August. Despite repeated requests for repairs and visits from various property standards inspectors and officials from TCHC, nothing has been done and what began as a small ceiling leak has grown to a metre-wide hole that requires elaborate procedures every time it rains – and it’s been a wet spring so far.

After a visit from Toronto Star reporters – who immediately noticed that virtually every shingle on the roof is deteriorated to the point of curling up at the edges – and a subsequent story in the paper, officials have promised to fix it.

Some of Mr. Dwyer’s efforts have been to prevent a black sludge he says comes in with the water from being dumped all over his kitchen. He also says his allergies have been worsened since the ordeal began.

Those are clear signs of mold infestation.

Don’t Wait to Fix It
We know homeowners are strapped for cash now more than ever, with high utility bills, the price of gas, rising food costs and more. But home repairs – especially roofs and windows – just can’t wait for better times.

A problem that starts out small only gets bigger, and many people are tempted to patch a roof rather than replace it. That’s just how mold inducing conditions begin.

A little dampness enters the attic
It lingers because you don’ t know it’s there
Mold begins to grow
The spores enter your HVAC system and spreads throughout your home before you’re even aware of the leak

The Clues
Remember that mold can begin to develop between 24 and 48 hours after moisture occurs. Keep in mind also that symptoms of mold exposure may be a clue that there is an unknown leak occurring somewhere in your home.

In addition to worsening allergies, if you or any member of your family is experiencing:

persistent and unexplained respiratory symptoms
coughing
irritated eyes, nose or throat

It may be your clue to the presence of mold in your home.

Let Us Help
Our experienced mold removal technicians can diagnose, contain and remove your mold issues.

For Mold Inspection & Removal 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.

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.

Recent flooding left Toronto area community housing tenants without a home but this time, the flood waters didn’t come from a Superstorm or hurricane leftovers but from inside the building.

Residents of an East York community housing project had grown used to the water leaks, minor flooding, rust-coloured water and results mold infestation over the last five years or so but recently the old and ill-maintained plumbing system gave out entirely. Water poured through ceilings, seeped into walls and generally flooded out the entire building when a main water line gave out on the third floor.

The organization responsible for operating the building is scrambling to find new homes for its many tenants.

It’s an extreme example but with all the news about extreme weather events and flooding from swollen rivers, streams and backed up sewers, it’s worth remembering that even in the best of weather, dampness could be accumulating in your home from the inside via faulty plumbing.

‘Minor’ leaks?
A minor leak of a few drips here and there under a sink may seem like a minor repair that can wait or get taped up rather than properly fixed. However, wherever moisture lingers, mold will grow and eventually flourish.

Mold can cause health issues, including respiratory issues and 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.

Once there is moisture that doesn’t dry properly in an area that isn’t treated right away, mold can begin to grow within 24-48 hours if the conditions are right.

Be vigilant and check plumbing regularly for signs of drips and leaks
Avoid skimping on or delaying needed repairs

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.

An unfortunate Woodbridge family has had to vacate their home due to unliveable conditions that include a serious mold infestation. They are living at a local hotel while they wait to hear whether municipal officials will step in to help their situation as they wait for a knot of lawsuits to wind its way through the courts.

Sydney Walters lives at the home with his girlfriend and 13 year-old son, along with her sister and brother in-law. In 2004 when they bought the then 2-year old home for over $300,000, Sydney admits they were naïve rookies. They lived in the house for six years enduring suffocating heat in the summer and freezing cold in the winter.

Attic Insulation
The problem? There was little to no insulation in the attic, a fact they only discovered in 2011. The family had hired a series of contractors to try and get at the roots of the problem, but for whatever reason, the attic was only recently investigated.

He says they didn’t realize how high their utility bills were in comparison to anyone else’s. Most importantly, they didn’t hire an independent home inspector, reasoning that the home, being only 2 years old at the time, didn’t require it.

No Insulation = Moisture
In the winter, his roof has no snow on it – he turns up the heat and it passes right through the roof, melting the snow and causing leaks. In the summer, it’s uncomfortably hot even with the A/C on. The leaks and wild fluctuations in temperature have resulted in moisture build up and caused a significant mold infestation. He says his family doctor has told him the home is unsafe. In April 2011, the City ordered him to install the insulation to bring it up to code.

No one disputes the basic fact – but a number of parties are arguing who’s at fault, and it’s caused a cascade of legal actions. Mr. Walters is suing the city because an inspector in 2002 failed to catch the problem – in fact the report doesn’t say anything about the attic. So far, the city has responded only by saying their legal department is looking into the issue. He is also suing the builder. The city has subsequently sued the builder, and the builder is countersuing the city, along with suing the drywall subcontractor. The drywall subcontractor, in turn, has said that it hired yet another party to actually do the work.

Allegations in the lawsuits involve mention of health effects to the family, including asthma and serious allergies.

When it Comes to Your Home
The family’s nightmare underscores the importance of a thorough home inspection that includes a mold inspection and the kinds of issues like attic insulation which can lead to mold infestation. You don’t want to take chances or just keep your fingers crossed that your home is mold free.

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.

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, 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.

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.

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