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!

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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!

There are illegal marijuana grow-ops, but what happens when it’s legal cultivation?

The Federal government had plans to scrap its current system (or non-system, depending on who you ask) of allowing medical marijuana users to grow their own supply and replace it with a government-run system of approved growers and quality controlled product. A Vancouver judge threw that into doubt however by issuing an injunction on March 21 that delays the legislation that would have been implemented as of April 1.

There are currently 30,000 legal licences for homegrown pot – that’s a lot of people growing pot where they live, be it in a backyard or a container on the balcony.

What does it mean for homeowners – and potential home buyers?

Illegal marijuana grow-ops are one side of the story. We know they can mean a lot of trouble. Oftentimes, an entire house is used to grow marijuana, with growing lights and humidity maintained at levels that make it a haven for mold growth along with a host of other problems.

What happens if it’s a legal situation?

The Solution..?
It’s clear the legal aspects of marijuana cultivation (and if it’s legal in some states down south, will we be far behind?) still need work at the government level. There has to be a better solution than allowing for potential damage to property with no controls in place to minimize that aspect.

What you can do – knowledge is power
You may be able to find out if a home has been used as an illegal grow-op but there’s really no way of finding out about legal, licensed homegrown marijuana cultivation. Mold is perhaps only the start of a long list of problems that includes contamination by toxic chemicals and many other issues that affect indoor air quality and the structure of the house itself.

If you’re looking to buy a property and suspect that it may have been used as a marijuana grow-op, the experienced technicians at Mold Inspections can do indoor environmental assessments and testing for tell-tale signs like mold, yeast, bacteria and other toxic substances.

Know what you are getting into. For Grow-Op & Drug House Testing 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 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(416) 575-6111.

Most of us associate mold with lingering moisture, and we know that in warmer temperatures it can flourish. But, did you know that mold can grow just as easily in the cold?

The Beer Store outlets, when you think of it, consist largely of coolers – refrigeration units – with a small space for the retail end of the store. Recognizing that refrigerators and walk-in refrigeration units, being inherently moist, are also prone to mold infestation, the Beer Store has a regular program of thoroughly checking their outlets on a yearly schedule. That means shutting down the outlet while the inspection goes on – even if it’s the only Beer Store in a small town!

Your Basement Refrigerator
Many of us use the basement area for extra storage, including another fridge or freezer for foods. Basements are inherently damp and if you combine that with the moisture inside a refrigerator, you may be creating the ideal conditions for mold growth.

Some fungi, as a matter of fact, can actually grow best at temperatures at typical refrigerator temperatures of 5C or lower.

If your basement refrigerator is empty and in storage, it too can be a great place for mold to develop and accumulate, so before you close it up for good:

Mold… in Your Home?
The conditions that can help to create mold can be multiple and may involve things you don’t know about – like too much condensation around windows that doesn’t ever dry out. Sometimes the only hint you have that mold is present in your home is a persistent musty odour or unexplainable respiratory symptoms.

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.

Seventy-five prisoners and guards complained of health issues due to mold at Toronto’s venerable Don Jail last year alone.

The Don Jail has been temporary home to Toronto’s remanded prisoners since before Confederation. Completed in 1865, the original structure was added onto in the 1950’s and boasts an Italianate design. The original building was closed in 1977 but the rest has been in continuous use since it was built.

Nowadays, we complain of cheap construction methods that don’t last. That wasn’t the case in the mid-twentieth century and it’s both a blessing and a bit of a curse. The building’s sturdy structure has meant it’s required very little in the way of renovations over the years. However, that very longevity is the root cause of its current mold problems.

Mold was first discovered at the very end of 2012 and was cleaned up in April of 2013, resulting in the rash of formal complaints.

Old Buildings & Mold
Older homes can also last for many years and many homeowners enjoy the beauty of high ceilings and the kind of features and decorative work that newer homes just don’t include anymore.

However, those sturdy walls can be hiding leaks and moisture build up that can turn into mold infestation within 48 hours. Even a pinhole leak in plumbing can produce enough lingering moisture to result in mold – and once it’s gotten into your HVAC system, it can end up anywhere in 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.

Charlottetown artist Alexis Bulman felt inspired as she stopped by a yard sale a few years ago. She found a box of 50 old Life Magazines dating from 1939 to 1988 and paid a mere $10 for the whole box of them.

Mold = Art?
She didn’t want to read them – she was driven to create. The magazines were all in various stages of decay that she found visually intriguing. Her current show, Life for 20¢ at the Gallery @ The Guild in Charlottetown uses and was in fact inspired by the deteriorating pages and variable and organic display of mold and mildew on them.Decay may be beautiful to some, but the show is also a reminder that mold particularly loves to grow in soft material that retains moisture over time.

Papers & Mold
How many of us have boxes of papers, documents and others stuff stashed in the attic or basement – the kinds of locations that are prone to mold infestation even without the added impetus of old paper to grow on?

Mold spores will begin to grow and infest any area that moisture lingers. Add hot temperatures and humidity and the recipe for mold is nearly foolproof. In addition to papers, carpeting – another soft material – is also especially prone to mold growth (which is why you should avoid it in basements).

Act quickly – mold can grow within 24-48 hours after dampness occurs and it can compromise the health of you and your family.

We Can Help!
Our team of experienced professionals provides a range of services:

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.

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..

It’s not the first time that extreme weather has made headlines in the GTA this year, but the path of Hurricane Sandy was unprecedented in many ways. While the eastern seaboard of the United States suffered the worst of the effects of so-called Superstorm Sandy at the end of October, it still hit the Toronto area with enough punch to cause power outages and even a death as a woman was hit by sign debris that came loose in the winds that gusted up to 100km/h.

The storm was one of the worst to ever hit U.S. soil and was blamed for more than 70 deaths in the Caribbean and United States. It caused havoc with everything from NYC’s fabled nightlife scene to the nation’s financial markets on flooded Wall Street. Weeks later, some downtown Manhattan businesses are still closed for repairs to electrical systems damaged by the saltwater that flooded their basements.

Basement Flooding
You don’t have to live through a hurricane in downtown Manhattan to experience the frustrations of basement flooding. Heavy rains and the debris of leaves and other vegetation make this time of year particularly prone to flooding. It may be something that’s immediately apparent from damp spots or obvious puddling but it may also lurk in the areas of the basement that you occupy the least in the form of corners or spots that are perpetually damp.

Either way, it’s creating the conditions for mold to grow. Where there is moisture, there is a potential for mold infestation and if there is chronic, lingering moisture you can be virtually certain that it has begun to grow. 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.

No matter where it appears, when mold comes back repeatedly, you need professional help.

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.

The Toronto Community Housing Corp. is back in the news – and not in a good way. The public housing authority recently made headlines because of a senior’s building on Cavell Avenue that is plagued by a host of problems related directly to maintenance, or rather, a lack of it, including mold.

Tenants have reported black mold growing around windows despite repeated attempts to clean it away. They’ve noted health problems, including sinus issues. A musty scent was the tip-off that mold infestation existed somewhere in the apartments. Tenants mentioned that leaking windows had been caulked repeatedly rather than replaced, which, if true, is what led to the accumulation of moisture and mold growth.

Vigilance is Essential
A building is made up of a number of systems designed to, among other things, keep out moisture but those systems can deteriorate or fail in various ways. You need to keep an eye on vulnerable areas.

There are other areas where water is likely to enter a home but windows and the area around them are among the most common. Once rain or melting snow has entered the walls via a leaking window, you really have no idea where it will end up.

Not Just a Public Housing Problem
It’s certainly not a problem that’s confined to public housing. In times of economic uncertainty and downturns, many homeowners are tempted to put off needed repairs, renovations and maintenance or to ‘make do’ with patchy roof work and more. The problem is that mold doesn’t wait for better times; in fact, it can begin to grow within 24-48 hours if the conditions are right.

Where there is moisture, there is a potential for mold infestation and if there is chronic, lingering moisture you can be virtually certain that it has begun to grow. No matter where it appears, when mold comes back repeatedly, you need professional help.

Don’t Let it Happen to You
Mold exposure is no joke 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.

The plight of seniors at a Montreal seniors’ residence highlights the health risks of mold infestation.

In a story reported in the Montreal Gazette, some residents of the home, run by the city under a social housing program, began to notice troubling respiratory symptoms they’d never experienced before, at times necessitating the use of an inhaler. Their symptoms included:

Residents also noticed a damp feeling in the air and in fabrics and carpets. An in indoor air quality test revealed worsened in air quality and so an investigation of the residence was instigated. Health inspectors examined kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms and found enough mold to warrant major renovations.

The work to be done includes:

These areas are very common areas of concern when it comes to mold in any home or building.

Residents of the Montreal seniors’ home will have to relocate for 18 months while their building is renovated.

Don’t Let it Happen to You
Mold exposure is no joke 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.

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.

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:

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

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.