| People ask me all the time what the | | | | If you find mould on the caulking of a window or |
| repercussions are with living in a house with mould. | | | | bathtub or on the tiles of your shower stall this is |
| To answer this question properly I think the most | | | | a situation that requires more diligent cleaning. This |
| important thing to do is look at the occupants in | | | | can easily be cleaned away with a surfactant |
| the house of concern and determine whether or | | | | based cleaner like mild dish soap or a specially |
| not any of the occupants are considered to be | | | | formulated fungicide cleaner. There are other |
| high risk. | | | | products that can be sprayed on after cleaning |
| A high risk occupant would be considered | | | | that prevent mould from growing on the surface |
| someone who is under 2 years of age of over | | | | again. Bleach is no longer considered an |
| 60, has had a recent surgery or suffers from a | | | | appropriate cleaner for mould growth. |
| serious disease, has asthma or some other allergic | | | | If mould is found to be growing on porous or |
| type disease or is pregnant. Anybody who falls | | | | permeable structural items, especially plant based |
| under this category of being a high risk occupant | | | | structural building materials, an indoor |
| has their immune system compromised or | | | | environmental professional (IEP) experienced in |
| working overtime already and has a more limited | | | | mould remediation should be consulted. There are |
| capability to fight off mould allergens or toxins. | | | | many people who claim to be "mould inspectors". |
| This does not mean that there are no issues for | | | | Don't be afraid to question their credentials and |
| healthy people in an environment that has indoor | | | | experience. |
| mould growth. Health Canada recognizes mould to | | | | Follow the scope or work and procedures that |
| be an allergen. Healthy people can become | | | | are written by an IEP when it comes to removing |
| sensitized to mould allergens and after chronic | | | | the mould from your house. Some of the |
| exposure can become allergic to mould. When you | | | | requirements might seem a bit over the top by |
| factor in the fact the mould is ubiquitous, this | | | | some people. You must always remember that |
| means that mould can make even healthy people | | | | mould spores are invisible to the eye and are |
| chronically sick. | | | | easily aerosolized and then transported all over |
| If visible mould is seen in a home it is important | | | | the home. |
| not to panic. I have yet to find a home that had | | | | The secondary damage caused by an improper |
| no mould in it. However you should determine | | | | remediation often is much more extensive and |
| whether or not the mould is a common | | | | costly than the initial mould remediation. ALWAYS |
| by-product of living in a house or is a result of | | | | use a Contractor who is experienced, trained, |
| water damage. | | | | certified and insured for mould remediation. It is |
| Mould that results from water intrusions and the | | | | extremely rare that a homeowner has the |
| subsequent water damage of a home is often | | | | equipment or knowledge to do this work on their |
| toxic mould. These moulds are often saprophytic | | | | own. Minimum equipment requirements would be |
| moulds, which means they grow on organic | | | | HEPA filtered air filtration devices and HEPA |
| materials like drywall (paper), wood, beams, joists, | | | | filtered vacuums that have been DOP or POA |
| plywood, natural fibre carpet and rugs and other | | | | tested, containments constructed of 6mil poly and |
| plant based materials. It is accepted that mould | | | | full personal protective gear such as PAPR |
| does take time to grow. Even under optimal | | | | respirators and body suits, gloves and boots. |
| conditions mould will take 24-48 hours to start | | | | When choosing a Contractor for your mould |
| growing and 48-72 hours to see visible evidence | | | | remediation make sure that your contract covers |
| of it. If mould is found at the same time as water | | | | potential complexities, complications, conflicts and |
| damage or intrusion has just occurred the mould | | | | limitations that may occur as a result of your |
| is almost certainly preexisting. | | | | remediation. They can and often do arise and can |
| Besides time, mould requires other specific | | | | sometimes carry with them significant increases in |
| conditions to grow, they are: moisture, stagnant | | | | the cost of the project. If you are working within |
| air, a source of food and the right temperature. | | | | a strict budget a mechanism must be in place to |
| Many species of mould do not like light either. | | | | accommodate these potential problems. |