Mold can be a serious health risk to any homeowner and the sooner it is detected the better. Having personally lived in a home that had mold in the laundry room I can tell you first hand that it is not something to take lightly. To remediate and repair the affected areas I had to rip out out all the drywall and insulation in the entire room. This work had to be done as mold carries chemicals and spores that can easily spread. I caution doing this type of removal work on your own as it needs to be done right so that it never occurs again. In my case, I hired a professional team that was equipped to properly handle the situation. My family's well bein g came first and I was relieved to have the mold dealt with as soon as it was discovered.
Please read below for more details on mold treatment and prevention:
What are molds? Molds are microscopic fungi, a group of organisms which also includes mushrooms and yeasts. Fungi are highly adapted to grow and reproduce rapidly, producing spores and mycelia in the process.
You encounter mold every day. Foods spoil because of mold. Leaves decay and pieces of wood lying on the ground rot due to mold. That fuzzy black growth on wet window sills is mold. Paper or fabric stored in a damp place get a musty smell that is due to the action of molds.
Molds can be useful to people. The good kinds of molds are selected and grown in a controlled fashion. Molds are undesirable when they grow where we don’t want them, such as in homes. Over 270 species of mold have been identified as living in Canadian homes. When molds are growing inside the home, there may be health concerns as molds release chemicals and spores.
Health experts indicate that, depending on the type of mold present in a home, the amount and degree of exposure, and the health condition of the occupant, the health effects of mold can range from being insignificant to causing allergic reactions and illness.
Preventing Mold:
- Keep the home dry.
- Find and fix water leaks.
- Discard clutter and excess stored materials.
- Clean and maintain home regularly.
- Encourage lifestyle practices that reduce moisture.
Basic steps to prevent and reduce mold growth:
- Mold needs moisture to grow. Controlling the moisture and keeping the home dry prevents the growth of mold.
- Check your home for signs of moisture and molds.
- Find out if water is coming in from the outside and if substantial moisture is produced inside the home.
- Fix any water leaks promptly.
- Think of the different ways moisture is produced inside the home (for example, cooking, bathing, plant jungle). Remove the moisture as it is produced by using exhaust fans. In the absence of fans, open windows for a short time, but note that the wind can push the moisture to other parts of the home.
- Measure how much moisture is in the air. To find the relative humidity in your home, you’ll need a hygrometer. You can buy one at a hardware or electronics store. Relative humidity in the home should be under 45 per cent in the winter (or lower to avoid condensation on windows). If necessary, use a dehumidifier to lower the relative humidity.
- Reduce the amount of stored materials, especially items that are no longer used. Molds grow on fabrics, paper, wood and practically anything that collects dust and holds moisture. (Source: cmhc.ca)
Sincerely,Jason Neumann, REALTOR®
Century 21 Assurance Realty Ltd.
Cell: (250) 808-7700
Office: 1-888-301-2121
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