The Province of Ontario has passed legislation that requires municipalities to enact bylaws dealing with basement apartments. Naturally, such apartments already exists in the tens of thousands – including about 35,000 in the City of Mississauga alone – but as illegal and unregulated rental units or “second suites” as they’ve been designated.

The provincial legislation lets municipalities draft their own bylaws, recognizing that each will have specific needs and issues to address. The move has been seen as a plus for municipalities and tenants alike.

It provides an immediate response to the crisis in affordable housing, with a 21-year waiting list for subsidized housing (!) and not much else that’s affordable in Mississauga, in common with most of the GTA and Southern Ontario as a whole.

Tenant Protection & Safety
On the tenant’s side, the move provides for improved access to affordable housing as well as an assurance of safer housing, including from an environmental perspective. The City of Mississauga anticipates hiring hundreds of employees to inspect for mold, smoke detectors and other standards.

It’s certainly encouraging that there has been immediate recognition that mold poses potential dangers to renters, and those living in basements in particular. Whether you’re a basement apartment tenant or a home or building owner, the basement is a prime location for mold growth and infestation for a number of reasons.

Dampness can be chronic from occasional flooding, sewer backups and other sources
Inadequate ventilation, often in crawl spaces, means that any moisture lingers and creates the ideal conditions for mold to flourish
Water can leak in from cracks in the foundation or flooring

Get Expert Help
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 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.

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.

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.

In late 2008, an independent contractor was working on a kitchen cupboard refurbishing project in The Beaches neighbourhood of Toronto’s east end. Once he began the work, however, he got a nasty surprise – toxic black mold was rampant throughout the walls in virtually all of the building’s 27 units, and it was causing indoor air quality problems.

The building, near Queen Street East and Woodbine Avenue, was owned by Toronto Community Housing (TCH) which took action immediately. Within weeks, all the tenants were relocated with promises that they would be able to move back in once the building had been completely remediated. Just recently, after a three year wait, they finally started to move back into their renovated apartments.

Remediation = Reconstruction
The construction project itself took approximately 18 months and involved retaining the structure’s historic circa 1928 façade, while completely reconstructing the interior. While the ornate exterior is undoubtedly worth the effort it took to preserve it, the interior problems illustrate many of the construction issues typical of that era.

Old Problems
The building, as it originally existed, contained no insulation whatsoever, with old leaky windows. There was no ventilation system, and there was a dirt floor in the crawl space. A sump pump was used regularly to remove excess water caused by insufficient exterior waterproofing. All of these elements undoubtedly contributed to the build-up of moisture and encouraged mold growth. Among other innovations, the new window sills are furnished in manmade marble to prevent moisture build-up, and new fibreglass windows add energy efficiency along with keeping rain and other moisture out.

Old Buildings – and New
Some residents say they’re still feeling the effects of the toxic mold. While this happened to an older structure, new buildings aren’t immune from the hazards and risks of mold. You should know the common signs and symptoms of mold exposure, and be on the look out for moisture and mold 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 and symptoms such as irritation of the eyes, nose and skin, and chronic headaches. 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 CP24’s Wylde on Health, 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.

Upset tenants at a Montreal high rise were abruptly ordered to move from their homes without notice earlier this month. They were greeted at their doors by city inspectors who wore filtration masks donned to protect them from exposure to mold and other moisture issues that have plagued the building. The inspectors informed them of the city’s decision to evacuate the building until the mold and other maintenance issues were dealt with.

Police were on hand to keep the peace as the unhappy tenants were taken to a nearby YMCA. The move by city officials comes as a result of legal actions taken against the landlord, who’s apparently notorious for his neglect of rental units and has a history of non-compliance with city ordered repairs.

In Toronto, tenant associations and the councillor for the Jane and Finch corridor urged the city to make similar moves against poorly maintained buildings earlier this year. Mold and other moisture related issues are among several listed as being common to the area.

As the buildings in our big cities like Toronto and Montreal age and economic prospects continue to tighten, the issue of poorly maintained buildings comes more and more to the forefront. Water leaks from the outside or indoors via faulty plumbing can easily create pockets of moisture where unhealthy mold can flourish.

Whether you’re a tenant or a landlord, mold is a serious issue with well documented effects on human and animal health, and it needs to be addressed by the experts. A prevailing stale and musty odour and small black spots along a bathroom wall are often your first clues that you have a mold infestation in your home.

The only way to ensure peace of mind is to order a Mold Inspection from the experts at MoldInspections.ca. Please call us for a quote today.

Major mold removal could be in store as an eventual consequence of recent flooding in Manitoba and Quebec.

In Manitoba, the government made the decision to intentionally breach a dike on the Assiniboine River and flood more than 150 properties for the greater good of protecting 800 other homes. Just south of Montreal, roughly 3,000 homes were flooded by the Richelieu River earlier this month.

Some of the damage caused by flooding is easy to see and predict. Rushing floodwaters can mix with sewage containing both human and animal waste, contaminating drinking water or food with potentially infectious viruses, bacteria and other micro-organisms. One common threat is E. coli, as the people of Walkerton, Ontario learned the hard way when seven people died and more than 7,000 became ill in the now-infamous 2001 crisis.

But threat many flood victims often overlook is mold, and the kind that can’t be stopped pre-emptively by a mold inspection. The water damage caused by flooding causes increased moisture which creates a breeding environment for mold, explains Denise Koh, Manitoba’s medical officer of health dealing with environmental health.

“People who are sensitive to mold may experience increased asthma symptoms or difficulty breathing,” she says. “They can have irritating symptoms such as a stuffy nose, irritated eyes, wheezing, skin irritation and mold infections in the lungs.”

If you’re a flood victim, you should strongly consider commissioning a mold inspection and removal company to assess the damages and see whether your home has developed mold or is at risk for mold.

If you’re fortunate enough to live in a region not currently affected by flooding, such as the Greater Toronto Area, you can still learn a valuable lesson reading about the problems in Quebec and Manitoba. The flood damage highlights what mold can do to the human body. It’s thus imperative for all buildings to undergo proper mold detection.

Sometimes, we can’t fully understand the danger of a toxic agent like mold until it destroys something dear to us.

The Astrolabe Theatre on Nepean Point has long been one of the most beloved attractions in our nation’s capital, Ottawa, Ontario. It’s famous for the views it provides of the city and for its amphitheatre, which seats roughly 700 people.

But the City of Ottawa has to say goodbye to the historic building. The reason: proper attention wasn’t paid to mold removal. It’s too late now. The building is saturated with toxic mold and asbestos. The National Capital Commission has decided to demolish it.

As NCC spokeswoman Judith Gabois-St-Cyr explained, water infiltration was a key part of the building’s deterioration. The overly moist environment became a breeding ground for mold.

Could a proper mold inspection have saved the Astrolabe Theatre? It’s tough to say; the building is 30 years old. But an earlier commitment from building officials just might have caught it in time. Instead, the theatre is simply too overcome not just with mold, but also with carcinogenic asbestos fibres – especially in the service building and in the former dressing rooms for performers.

The site will be remediated; it hasn’t yet been decided what new attraction will replace the Astrolabe Theatre. The demolition schedule isn’t official yet but $1 million has been devoted to it for 2011-12.

Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area can learn a valuable lesson from the Astrolabe Theatre’s demise: historical buildings may be beautiful, but they’re also at major risk for mold and other hazardous materials. If we want to keep them intact and enjoy them forever, periodic assesments from a mold inspection and removal company are a prudent idea.

Why Do You Need Mold Inspections?

Health

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Former Flooding

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