Mould/Mold

Mould or Mold…either way you spell it, it can still be harmful!

Mould spores are everywhere, they are inside and outside and a vital part of our eco system. Mould has been used in medicine and even in some of our favourite foods.

The problem arises with the type of mould and the quantity of the mould.  When mould is disturbed mould spores are released into the air and can potentially cause adverse health effects and be potentially harmful to certain individuals.

While no exposure to mould is healthy, it poses a greater health risk to:

*infants and children

*elderly

*immune compromised patients

*pregnant women

*individuals with respiratory conditions.

Mold can grow in as little as 24-48 hours if the conditions are right.   If you think you have mold, had a flood, found a leak or are just unsure call us.  A quick chat to book an assessment can alleviate a lot of stress.

Mould/Mold Assessments

NO home is free of mould spores. Moulds outside enter through air flow such as open windows, doors etc.  There is no way of getting around it.

Some mould projects do not require and in-depth assessment…but sometimes they do!  

Part of a mold assessment is determining why mould is present in the first place.  Moulds need a food source and water to thrive.  Determining the source of water/moisture is integral to keeping the mould from returning.  

Sometimes the “fix” can be as simple as diverting water from a drain spout away from the house, caulking areas where water can enter or making sure fans are working and vented properly.  It just takes a small amount of water/moisture to cause a lot of mold.   Preventative measures can save thousands in mold remediation and the cost of rebuilding afterwards.  

When performing a mold assessment, we use tools such as moisture meters and thermal imaging but even with our fancy instruments sometimes removing material is the only way to really see what’s going on.  

Moisture meters detect moisture content and thermography detects temperature differences.  If the material has had time to dry, our tools may not detect the area where hidden mould growth may be.  

This is why sometimes destructive measures (removing materials) is the only way to determine the extent of the mold growth if any.  

Air testing for fungal/mould spores

Not all mould assessments require air testing for fungal/mold spores.  During our mold assessment we will be able to determine if this is something that should be performed.  Air testing for mold spores can help determine the impacted areas and the scope of work that needs to be done to perform a successful mold remediation. 

Asbestos Testing:  All building materials that require removal for mold remediation need to be tested for asbestos content.  (click to asbestos testing page)

Sometimes you really don’t know the extent of the water damage/mold growth until all the building material has been removed!

Sometimes things aren’t always as they appear!

In this mold assessment the wainscoting looked great with the exception of some discoloration/water damage on the baseboard.  The wainscoting was dry at the time of our mould assessment, the extent of mould growth was only apparent after the material was removed.

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No damage here…..wrong!

One of the issues we see a lot is toilet wax rings that have failed. A leak that goes unattended can not only cause mold but can start to deteriate framing. In this mold assessment our client was concerned about a little bit of mold on the baseboard. The extent of water damaged material was uncovered when the mold remediation began. Ceramic tiles and a covered basement ceiling sure hid a lot for a long period of time.

Here is another great example of the damage that ceramic tiles can hide!

Sometimes you really don’t know the extent of the water damage/mold growth until all building material has been removed!

It’s not only ceramic tile that can hide water damage and possible mould growth. Multiple layers of flooring can hide extensive damage and it can be impossible to know the extent of the damage until all material is removed.

We were called into this residence for a mold assessment due to laminate flooring that had been lifting in one area in the basement. Unfortunately, a condensing hose on the refrigerator that was improperly installed had caused a leak for over a year. The damage reached far across the room where there was no indication of any water damage.

A new addition gone wrong!

This was a beautiful new addition that was built on top of deck. Unfortunately, there were many deficiencies in the build that lead to the extensive mould growth and water damaged material. It was only once the laminate flooring started to heave that the homeowner detected a problem.

What does this all mean?

Simply put, things aren’t always what they seem! Especially in the world of Mould!

Every mould assessment is different. Our experience and knowledge help us know what to look for when we are assessing the cause of mould growth and preparing an appropriate scope of work for mould remediation.

Preventative maintenance can help in stopping unnecessary water from entering the home/building and controlling humidity and moisture inside the property can help in controlling mould growth. But sometimes because of issues that may be hidden by building materials (ceilings, walls, floors) a small leak etc. may go undetected for a long time resulting in an issue that may be bigger than expected.

Just like an iceberg! Sometimes what you see isn’t the biggest part

 

Why hire Metro as your mould/mold removal specialist? It’s just a little mould!

In our line of work, we’re always hearing things such as…” it’s just a little mould”, “it’s no big deal”.

Before we knew better, we might have agreed! But the fact is some molds can produce
Mycotoxins that can make some people really sick. Exposure to the toxins can occur through inhalation, ingestion, or skin exposure. Depending on the amount of visible mould present, where it is etc. additional precautions may be needed to ensure mold spores are removed when performing a mold remediation.

Non-viable/Dead mould spores retain their mycotoxins. This means when inhaled they can still have the same health effects as “living” mould spores. If you spray bleach for example on mould it will certainly remove the visibly affected area, but moulds defense system when “attacked” is to release mould spores.

A successful mold remediation not only “kills” the mould spores but also removes them. We do this by setting up containment around the work area, implementing negative air machines/air scrubbers and HEPA vacuuming while the mould removal is in progress.

Our mould removal procedures use the same stringent practices that we use in asbestos removal to ensure that any potential toxic mould spores do not become part of your breathable air!

Our team follows all IICRC/Mould removal guidelines to ensure the safest removal possible. Training in infection control in Heath Care settings during construction assures that we are prepared for any situation.

 

Its all about the containment….and some of ours are incredible!

Sometimes mould remediation projects to not require large containments but sometimes they do.

Reach Us

Many ways to contact us!

272 Rosslyn Ave N.,
Hamilton, ON L8L 7R1

905.544.1125

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