Mold detection: What you need to know
By Contributor on Jul 20, 2016
Without water, there would be no life, but too much water in the wrong place can have harmful effects. If water leakage has infiltrated the building materials of your home, then mold spores can spread, grow, and develop into a full blown mold problem. Water contamination and the resulting mold can also hasten building deterioration, thereby decreasing the quality, safety and lifespan of your home. Some forms of mold can also have an impact on human health, causing allergy flare ups and even respiratory diseases. Mold detection and analysis, then, become crucial factors in preventive home maintenance.
What is mold?
According to Health Canada, mold is “any fungus that grows on food or damp building materials.” Essentially, what we commonly call mold encompasses several types of microorganisms that grow and feed on damp surfaces such as wood, drywall, fabric, cardboard, paper, and insulation.
Mold does not require running water to proliferate. An environment high in humidity can provide sufficient moisture for mold to find a damp place to grow. Molds are found everywhere in nature. In small patches, regularly removed, mold does not generally cause serious problems. However, large patches of mold can release spores and other particles into indoor air that can cause health problems when breathed in.
What are the health risks?
People who live in homes with damp conditions that allow mold to grow and proliferate are more likely to experience the following symptoms:
- Irritated eyes, nose, and throat
- Build-up of phlegm, coughing
- Shortness of breath, wheezing
- Allergic reactions
- Exacerbation of asthma symptoms
People react differently when exposed to mold. Reactions also depend on a person’s state of health, age, and amount of exposure time. The following people are generally more vulnerable to the effects of mold exposure:
- Anyone with allergies, asthma, or a chronic respiratory disease
- Infants and young children
- The elderly
- Anyone with a weakened immune system (as a result of chemotherapy treatments, a recent transplant, or HIV, AIDS, or other infections)
What to do if you suspect mold is a problem in your home
It's always best to hire a professional mold detection service to do the mold inspection for you. A professional in mold detection has accumulated years of experience leading to specialized knowledge about where mold most often hides. If there is any mold contamination in your home, a professional will find it.Mold detection also involves special equipment like moisture meters, thermographic cameras, and fibre optics. This allows the inspector to find trouble spots where mold can proliferate and to look into areas hidden behind walls, ceilings, or ductwork while hardly disturbing your home.Tips for preventing mold problems
1) Once a year, inspect the exterior elements of your home, such as the roof, the attic, all windows, caulking, and drainage systems. Inside your home, look for signs of water infiltration and mold behind furniture, inside closets, and in storage areas.2) Keep your home well ventilated and reduce humidity. Humidity should be kept at about 50% in summer and 30% in winter. 3) Clean your home regularly. Remember to regularly disinfect anything that holds water, such as air conditioners and humidifiers or dehumidifiers.After you have removed and remediated a mold problem, be sure to fix the underlying cause to prevent recurrence. Also, you might want to have the mold detection process performed again to make sure that the clean-up was successful. One of the benefits of moving into a newly built home is that you don't have to worry about this problem!By Judith Brown
