Canada Wall Mold

Mold can be dangerous.  This material has been gathered to inform people about mold.  Before you attempt to remediate mold, seek expert and/or professional help.  If mold is removed incorrectly, it can cause even greater and more costly damage (in terms of dollars and health effects).  DO NOT USE BLEACH to remove mold.

General Mold Facts (please verify all information before using)

  • Can be dangerous when alive or dead (because the toxins in a mold spore are in the outer membrane of the mold spore)
  • Mold makes up 25% of the total biomass on our planet
  • 15% of the general population is highly allergic to the beta-3 gluten in mold
  • 99% of the people suffering from peanut allergies are actually allergic to the beta-3 gluten found on the mold on peanuts
  • Mold colonies can start within 24 to 48 hours of a water intrusion
  • Mold can reproduce in as little as 15 minutes
  • Mold is responsible for the degradation of more cellulose fibre than any other single source
  • Mold will grow in any area with a humidity level of greater than 40%
  • When stressed, mold sporolates (projects spores in an effort to survive)
  • Mold spores are approxamately 0.4 microns in size
  • There are approxamately 270 species of commonly found household molds (click on link for more information)
  • Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of mold can produce irreparable damage in humans

mold

 

So what can we do?

  • We can learn to recognize mold
  • We can carefully eliminate the mold (It would be wise to seek professional and/or expert advice/assistance)
  • We can create an environment not hospitable to mold growth
  • Dehumidify Basements and crawlspaces in warmer months
  • Do not store materials that will absorb moisture in places with a humidity level greater than 40%
  • Do NOT use BLEACH to remove mold

Preventing Mold

CMHC Fighting Mold

 

Chris Smith CSSBB
          Sales Representative

Interested in Buying or Selling Real Estate?

  ph: 1.866.936.3500

Re/Max
Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage

 
This post has been included in Ontario Real Estate News Simcoe County, ON Real Estate News
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13 Comments on Mold - Some things you should know

JUN
06
2010
447,685 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Great information in this article Chris. I never knew that I couldn't use bleach to clean off mold.
1:43pm • #1
478,453 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

So what do they recommend we use to clean off mold?
2:23pm • #2
872,278 Points 5 Featured Posts

Chris,

 

Excellent source of information. This is very helpful and I will make a note of it.

 

Brian
3:59pm • #3
JUN
07
2010
549,345 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Thank you Malcolm, Janice and Brian, I will update this with more information as I get it.  Soap and Water is recommended and a good vacuuming of all porous materials (to help remove spores)... there was a linkto a CMHC site which describes steps in remediation depending on severity.
1:41pm • #4
JUN
09
2010

Good information to keep handy. Thanx Malcolm
9:47am • #5
JUN
10
2010
207,913 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Chris, In Florida I tell my buyers to conduct a mold test on every sale. (we are sub-tropical)  The testing is done by a licensed mold inspector .  It is then sent to an independent mold lab licensed in Fl as well.  The mitigation is done by yet another contractor to have a true arms length mitigation. 

The first time you read a mold test is is like gibberish. There are so many molds, most benign.  However, the toxic mold, stachybotrys... or black mold, is not good and must be mitigated. Bleach will mitigate the common, "friendly" molds, the toxic ones are costly.  We have to have a crew come in and pull out the walls, tile in baths,  carpet, and "scrub" the air with special machines.  Then all surfaces have to be washed, all bedding has to be washed or cleaned.  It can be a nightmare but I always do a mold test for buyers as the sellers bear the brunt of all of the cost and I deliver a property free of problems to my clients, (many Canadians who are not aware of the the issues).  We have to disclose any problems on the Florida sellers disclosure, so now my buyers know they are not buying problems when they sell their property and leave Naples.

I don't think you have much trouble in ON..... What has made mold an issue is the insulation and good construction, ironically.  If water gets behind a wall in a bathroom it has no where to go.  Creating a big problem.  Any time you need info on mold, I can give more websites and mold mitigation ideas .  Great post.
7:26pm • #6
JUN
11
2010
628,495 Points 16 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

This was a great post, very insightful. I wonder, why not bleach? But I came across an article that said hydrogen peroxide was better..I'll have to check out the links you provided to get more information. Thanks!
8:56am • #7
207,913 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Chris, I totally depends on the mold spores and they are ALL very different.
8:51pm • #8
JUN
13
2010
1,670,641 Points 138 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Chris,

I did not know all of that, in fact, have little knowlege about mold other than it's a bad deal....

Thanks for posting.
4:24pm • #9
JUN
19
2010
125,243 Points Called Shot Master

Thanks for the Great Info Chris!  

This is important info for everyone to know!  (I will re blog it to help get the message out)
11:03am • #10
227,388 Points 7 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I have personal experience with mold and I am highly allergic to it. I was sick for months prior to determining that mold was the factor. It is extremely important to take the proper precautions to eliminate the problem. Thank you for sharing this information!
11:55am • #11
1,202,608 Points 32 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Mold is a difficult problem and serious. Happy Fathers Day Chris, we hope you get some time to enjoy it!
11:28pm • #12
JUN
20
2010
312,576 Points 24 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Very interesting post with some good links.  Thanks and Happy Father's Day!
11:41am • #13


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