What is mould?

Moulds are a type of fungus and can be found in both indoor and outdoor environments. In order to have mould growth, it requires a source of moisture, a warm environment and a food source. Food sources could be leaves, paper, wood, glue, drywall to name a few. Moulds will release tiny, reproductive spores that travel through the air and these spores can be inhaled by humans.

What symptoms will arise from excessive mould exposure?

Usually the first reaction to mould exposure is an allergic reaction. These can be compared to seasonal allergies that are exhibited during the summer months. The typical symptoms are nasal and sinus congestion, sneezing, irritation in the eyes, nose and throat and coughing. For a person who is sensitive, more serious problems may develop, including:

• frequent headaches
• trouble concentrating
• nausea and dizziness
• shortness of breath
• stress
• skin irritation
• fatigue asthma
• mood changes

What causes excessive mould growth?

A moist environment will cause mould to grow. Any excess moisture in a home or office can lead to amplified mould growth. Moisture sources can include flooding and water damage from leaking roofs and pipes or a foundation crack. However, the moisture may not be from an obvious source.  Improperly constructed building foundations can cause excess water vapour to seep through the floors of buildings. This can cause mould growth in carpets and in wall spaces where ventilation is poor. Improper ventilation systems throughout a building that are not properly vented to the outdoor can cause moisture build up in the interior portion of the building amplifying mould growth.

How does mould contribute to poor indoor air quality?

Mould exposure occurs daily and under normal conditions, mould exposure is not a problem. However, certain environmental conditions within buildings, such as excess moisture, can cause mould to amplify indoors, leading to high levels of airborne spores. Inhalation of spores in greater numbers than the body is normally used to can cause health problems in sensitive individuals.

How can I tell if I am sensitive to moulds?

Those with pre-existing respiratory conditions or allergies are likely to be more sensitive to mould spores and mould exposure. Other individuals that may be sensitive include immune compromised patients, infants and young children and the elderly. Most individuals are exposed to mould daily with little or no reaction. Prolonged exposure over a long period of time can make an individual sensitive to moulds when they previously did not have a reaction.

Are mould related health problems permanent?

In most cases, mould related health problems go away after the mould is removed or after the occupants leave the impacted building. However, it is believed that the affected individuals may have a greater sensitivity to moulds at a later time and a lower level of exposure may generate the same type of symptom that the individual experienced previously.

How do I know if I have a mould problem?

Two signs of a mould problem are visible mould and/or a musty odour. However, not all mould is visible. Mould can grow undetected in attics, wall spaces, beneath carpet, under sinks, cupboards and under appliances. Hidden mould growth can release dangerous spores to the air and into an indoor breathing space. Any building that has had water damages or is unusually humid should be inspected for excessive mould growth by an experienced environmental consultant.

How is a building tested for mould?

When testing for mould in an indoor environment, both surface and air sampling is generally required. Surface sampling involves collecting a sample of material suspected of harbouring mould with a sterile swab or tape. This sample is then viewed under a microscope to determine if the sample contains mould, and if it does, what type of mould. Air sampling involves collecting a known volume of air and determining the number and types of mould spores present. Indoor levels are then compared to outdoor levels to determine if mould amplification is occurring within a building. Mould levels indoors generally should be 30-70% those of outdoor levels. If they are higher, then there is a mould problem.

How do I know if a consultant is qualified to test for mould?

It is important to discuss qualifications with the consultant of your choice. Currently there are Associations that deal with certifying individuals based on classroom attendance, work experience and passing of a closed-book exam and review of a governing body. Upon passing all the criteria set forth by the association, an individual can obtain accreditation for mould inspection and testing.

What is the cost of a typical mould inspection?

The cost of sampling will vary depending on many factors, such as the number and types of samples collected, the method of laboratory analysis to be used, the type of report needed, and the location of the site. For residential clients, the costs will vary depending on the number of samples taken.

Copyright 2004, Canadian Invironmental Services.

10 Things You Should Know About Mould

1. Exposure to elevated levels of mould can cause serious health problems, such as respiratory problems and sinus problems, cold and flu-like symptoms, headaches, fatigue, trouble concentrating, and memory loss. Those most susceptible include, young children, the elderly, those with compromised immune systems, and other sensitive individuals.
2. There are many moulds that have the potential to cause health problems including Alternaria, Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Penicillium, and Stachybotrys. (Just because you cannot pronounce it doesn’t mean it cannot harm you.)
3. Mould spores can cause health problems even if the spores are dead.
4. Mould spores are very common outdoors and there is no practical way to eliminate all mould spores indoors.
5. Mould requires an organic food source, such as cloth, dry wall, or wood, and a moisture source to grow. Mould can begin to grow if any organic material remains wet for more than 48 hours. The way to control mould growth indoors is to control moisture indoors.
6. Moulds can grow undetected inside wall spaces, under carpet, and inside HVAC systems.
7. Mould growth can often be the visible sign of a structural defect that allows moisture to intrude into a building.
8. When doing mould abatement, it is first necessary to find and eliminate the moisture source. If the moisture problem is not resolved, the mould growth will return.
9. Clean-up of large areas of mould growth can cause airborne levels of spores to increase up to 10,000 times that of background levels resulting in acute exposure to those doing the clean-up if personal protective equipment is not worn.
10. The best way to abate mould growth indoors is to remove the impacted materials. Cleaning the surface of a material with mould growth may not always kill the mould, especially if mould is growing on porous materials like drywall or wood.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Eleven Things You Need to Know to Pass Your Home Inspection

"According to industry experts, there are at least 33 physical problems that will come under scrutiny during a home inspection when your home is for sale. Here are eleven you should know about if you’re planning to put your home up for sale."

Homebuyers Want to Know Your Home Inside and Out

While homebuyers are as individual as the homes they plan on purchasing, one thing they share is a desire to ensure that the home they will call their own is as good beneath the surface as it appears to be. Will the roof end up leaking? Is the wiring safe? What about the plumbing?  These, and others, are the questions that the buyers looking at your home will seek professional help to answer.

According to industry experts, there are at least 33 physical problems that will come under scrutiny during a home inspection. We’ve identified the 11 most common of these and, if not identified and dealt with, any of these 11 items could cost you dearly in terms of repair.

In most cases, you can make a reasonable pre-inspection yourself if you know what you’re looking for. Knowing what you’re looking for can help you prevent little problems from growing into costly and unmanageable ones.

1. Defective Plumbing

Defective plumbing can manifest itself in two different ways: leaking, and clogging. A visual inspection can detect leaking, and an inspector will gauge water pressure by turning on all faucets in the highest bathroom and then flushing the toilet. If you hear the sound of running water, it indicates that the pipes are undersized. If the water appears dirty when first turned on at the faucet, this is a good indication that the pipes are rusting, which can result in severe water quality problems.

2. Damp or Wet Basement

An inspector will check your walls for a powdery white mineral deposit a few inches off the floor, and will look to see if you feel secure enough to store things right on your basement floor. A mildew odor is almost impossible to eliminate, and an inspector will certainly be conscious of it.

It could cost you $200-$1,000 to seal a crack in or around your basement foundation depending on severity and location. Adding a sump pump and pit could run you around $750 - $1,000, and complete waterproofing (of an average 3 bedroom home) could amount to $5,000-$15,000. You will have to weigh these figures into the calculation of what price you want to net on your home.

3. Inadequate Wiring & Electrical

Your home should have a minimum of 100 amps service, and this should be clearly marked. Wire should be copper or aluminum. Home inspectors will look at octopus plugs as indicative of inadequate circuits and a potential fire hazard.

4. Poor Heating & Cooling Systems

Insufficient insulation, and an inadequate or a poorly functioning heating system, are the most common causes of poor heating. While an adequately clean furnace, without rust on the heat exchanger, usually has life left in it, an inspector will be asking and checking to see if your furnace is over its typical life span of 15-25 yrs. For a forced air gas system, a heat exchanger will come under particular scrutiny since one that is cracked can emit deadly carbon monoxide into the home. These heat exchangers must be replaced if damaged - they cannot be repaired.

5. Roofing Problems

Water leakage through the roof can occur for a variety of reasons such as physical deterioration of the asphalt shingles (e.g. curling or splitting), or mechanical damage from a wind storm. When gutters leak and downspouts allow water to run down and through the exterior walls, this external problem becomes a major internal one.

6. Damp Attic Spaces

Aside from basement dampness, problems with ventilation, insulation and vapor barriers can cause water, moisture, mold and mildew to form in the attic. This can lead to premature wear of the roof, structure and building materials. The cost to fix this damage could easily run over $2,500.

7. Rotting Wood

This can occur in many places (door or window frames, trim, siding, decks and fences). The building inspector will sometimes probe the wood to see if this is present - especially when wood has been freshly painted.

8. Masonry Work

Re-bricking can be costly, but, left unattended, these repairs can cause problems with water and moisture penetration into the home which in turn could lead to a chimney being clogged by fallen bricks or even a chimney which falls onto the roof. It can be costly to rebuild a chimney or to have it repainted.

9. Unsafe or Over-fused Electrical Circuit

A fire hazard is created when more amperage is drawn on the circuit than was intended. 15 amp circuits are the most common in a typical home, with larger service for large appliances such as stoves and dryers. It can cost several hundred dollars to replace your fuse panel with a circuit panel.

10. Adequate Security Features

More than a purchased security system, an inspector will look for the basic safety features that will protect your home such as proper locks on windows and patio doors, dead bolts on the doors, smoke and even carbon monoxide detectors in every bedroom and on every level. Even though pricing will vary, these components will add to your costs. Before purchasing or installing, you should check with your local experts.

11. Structural/Foundation Problems

An inspector will certainly investigate the underlying footing and foundation of your home as structural integrity is fundamental to your home.

When you put your home on the market, you don’t want any unpleasant surprises that could cost you the sale of your home. By having an understanding of these 11 problem areas as you walk through your home, you’ll be arming yourself against future disappointment.