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Mould Basics
A very simple microorganism found virtually everywhere indoors and out, molds are among the most widespread living organisms in the world. Mold is a type of fungi and is found growing in moist areas.
Signs of mold problems are discoloration of indoor surfaces, dark spots, or patches and pay close attention to changes in your health. Not always can you see mold. Mold does not need light to grow. Thus, it will grow wherever the opportunity presents itself (in wall cavities, in dark attics or even under your carpet). Musty odours are a sign that unwanted organisms are growing in your building and need to be found and destroyed.
Quick Facts
There is no way to know exactly how each person will react to mould. A normally healthy person may appear unaffected in an infested home, while another may become ill. Persons can have significant adverse health effects. These health effects can be categorized into three groups (Allergic response, sensitization, and toxic response). Asthma, Dermatitis, Legionella are diseases related to micotoxins (mold).
There are three conditions that must be met to sustain mold growth.
Types
Stachybotrys is a specific kind of mould present in our environment. Outdoor Stachybotrys molds help decay organic matter. One particular species known as Stachybotrys atra (sometimes known as Stachybotrys chartarum) is prone to growth indoors. This mould is normally dark brown or black in colour. It can look slimy, sooty, or even like grayish white strands, depending on the amount of moisture available and the length of time it has been growing. Many other common indoor molds can look similar to Stachybotrys.
It is important to remember no matter what type of mold you have removal is the only course of action.
Glossary of Terms
Are you looking for more mould information and industry specific terms? Visit our glossary of terms to find out terms relevant to inspections, assessments, remediation and testing.
What does it mean if you have black toxic mold? The first thing to consider is how do you know it’s toxic? All black mold is not toxic and all toxic mold is not black.
Mould Questions
James A. Thomas, Certified Indoor Environmnetalist sits down to answer some common mold questions in video format.
All videos are also available on YouTube.
Should mold be feared?
What are the health concerns surrounding mold?
Why is mold and air quality such a concern now?
Why do I need an inspection when I know I have mold?
Do I need to air sample for mold?
If I have mold does that mean my house is dirty?
How do you know its mold?
What does mould grow on?
How do you get mold out of my home?
What is moisture mapping?
How do you diagnose mold in a home?
How long does it take to get rid of a mold problem?
How do you get rid of mold?
Resources
Find valuable microbial information resources including the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and various organizations: Resources
Prevention Tips
Check your home for signs of moisture and mold.
Explore the cause of any moisture leaks or high humidity.
Fix any water leaks promptly.
Think of the different ways moisture and humidity is produced inside your home (cooking, bathing, plant jungle, etc.). Remove moisture by using exhaust fans. In the absence of fans, open windows for a short time, but note that the wind can push the moisture to other parts of the home.
Controlling moisture is the key to preventing indoor mould growth. The relative humidity of indoor environments should be maintained at 35% - 55% and no more than 60%. Above 60% relative humidity mould could grow. If moisture problems develop, rapid and appropriate responses are important to prevent mold spores from germinating. If wetness or spills are dried within 24-48 hours, mould growth is less likely to occur. Use a hydrometer to measure the relative humidity (how much moisture is in the air). Hydrometers are available at hardware and electronic stores for a cost of $5 to $20 each.
Mould needs three things to grow: water, heat and a food source. The most important of these is water/moisture as it is the easiest of the three to control. Therefore, for this bulletin we are going to concentrate on water issues.
General Procedures for All Workplaces
The best way to prevent mold growth is to comprise a formal Mould Prevention Program aimed at minimizing and eliminating the conditions that cause mould growth.
All aspects of a Mould Prevention Program should receive regularly scheduled evaluation to review housekeeping and engineering maintenance.
Keep your building dry.
Find and fix water leaks.
Discard clutter and excess stored materials.
Clean and maintain your building regularly.
Encourage practices that reduce moisture.
More prevention tips are also available on Twitter and Facebook.
Mouldoff can:
Mould Information
Mould Basics
A very simple microorganism found virtually everywhere indoors and out, molds are among the most widespread living organisms in the world. Mold is a type of fungi and is found growing in moist areas.
Signs of mold problems are discoloration of indoor surfaces, dark spots, or patches and pay close attention to changes in your health. Not always can you see mold. Mold does not need light to grow. Thus, it will grow wherever the opportunity presents itself (in wall cavities, in dark attics or even under your carpet). Musty odours are a sign that unwanted organisms are growing in your building and need to be found and destroyed.
Quick Facts
There is no way to know exactly how each person will react to mould. A normally healthy person may appear unaffected in an infested home, while another may become ill. Persons can have significant adverse health effects. These health effects can be categorized into three groups (Allergic response, sensitization, and toxic response). Asthma, Dermatitis, Legionella are diseases related to micotoxins (mold).
There are three conditions that must be met to sustain mold growth.
- Water (flood, plumbing pipe burst, wind driven rain, seepage, humidity)
- Heat
- Food (wood, paper, natural and synthetic fibers, etc.)
Types
Stachybotrys is a specific kind of mould present in our environment. Outdoor Stachybotrys molds help decay organic matter. One particular species known as Stachybotrys atra (sometimes known as Stachybotrys chartarum) is prone to growth indoors. This mould is normally dark brown or black in colour. It can look slimy, sooty, or even like grayish white strands, depending on the amount of moisture available and the length of time it has been growing. Many other common indoor molds can look similar to Stachybotrys.
It is important to remember no matter what type of mold you have removal is the only course of action.
Glossary of Terms
Are you looking for more mould information and industry specific terms? Visit our glossary of terms to find out terms relevant to inspections, assessments, remediation and testing.
Common Myths About Mold
There are a lot of myths when it comes to mold, why it grows, and how to remove it. Have you heard something you are not sure about? Find out if it is true of fictional. All answers are written by one of our trained and certified mold experts.What does it mean if you have black toxic mold? The first thing to consider is how do you know it’s toxic? All black mold is not toxic and all toxic mold is not black.
Mould Questions
James A. Thomas, Certified Indoor Environmnetalist sits down to answer some common mold questions in video format.
All videos are also available on YouTube.
Should mold be feared?
What are the health concerns surrounding mold?
Why is mold and air quality such a concern now?
Why do I need an inspection when I know I have mold?
Do I need to air sample for mold?
If I have mold does that mean my house is dirty?
How do you know its mold?
What does mould grow on?
How do you get mold out of my home?
What is moisture mapping?
How do you diagnose mold in a home?
How long does it take to get rid of a mold problem?
How do you get rid of mold?
Resources
Find valuable microbial information resources including the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and various organizations: Resources
Prevention Tips
Check your home for signs of moisture and mold.
Explore the cause of any moisture leaks or high humidity.
Fix any water leaks promptly.
Think of the different ways moisture and humidity is produced inside your home (cooking, bathing, plant jungle, etc.). Remove moisture by using exhaust fans. In the absence of fans, open windows for a short time, but note that the wind can push the moisture to other parts of the home.
Controlling moisture is the key to preventing indoor mould growth. The relative humidity of indoor environments should be maintained at 35% - 55% and no more than 60%. Above 60% relative humidity mould could grow. If moisture problems develop, rapid and appropriate responses are important to prevent mold spores from germinating. If wetness or spills are dried within 24-48 hours, mould growth is less likely to occur. Use a hydrometer to measure the relative humidity (how much moisture is in the air). Hydrometers are available at hardware and electronic stores for a cost of $5 to $20 each.
Mould needs three things to grow: water, heat and a food source. The most important of these is water/moisture as it is the easiest of the three to control. Therefore, for this bulletin we are going to concentrate on water issues.
General Procedures for All Workplaces
The best way to prevent mold growth is to comprise a formal Mould Prevention Program aimed at minimizing and eliminating the conditions that cause mould growth.
All aspects of a Mould Prevention Program should receive regularly scheduled evaluation to review housekeeping and engineering maintenance.
Keep your building dry.
Find and fix water leaks.
Discard clutter and excess stored materials.
Clean and maintain your building regularly.
Encourage practices that reduce moisture.
More prevention tips are also available on Twitter and Facebook.
Mouldoff can:
- Inspect your home or building for microorganisms
- Test for Indoor Air Quality
- Determine the cause of moisture intrusion
- Repair building and make water tight
- Dry out building structure
- Contain mold as necessary to protect occupants
- Remove building materials as necessary to eliminate mold
- Dispose of debris to a certified waste handling facility
- Protect building from further mold infestations
- Supply a clearance certificate for areas cleaned of mold
- Restore building back to its original condition
- Guarantee our workmanship
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