Mold Can Be Good...

Mold is all around us. Outside, it helps break down organic material.  For example, in the fall mold helps breakdown leaves, flowers and other plantings from the summer. Mold helps wood lying on a forest  rot and return to the soil.  Some molds are useful in the production of foods and medicine, like the antibiotic penicillin. Molds can even be found in foods we eat - penicillium candidum is used in the making of brie and camembert cheeses. Other molds are commonly used in the production of bread and beer.

But Not in Your Basement...

As mold grows, it can release spores and chemicals. If this is happening in your home, you may experience health concerns. Certain types of mold can cause respiratory problems in infants, the elderly and those with pre-existing health problems.

Mold requires four things in order to grow:

• Mold spores
• Oxygen
• Organic material
• Moisture

Of the four, only moisture can be controlled.

When a house contains too much moisture, mold can grow rapidly.  But you don't need to have water pouring into your basement to be at risk for mold growth in your home; different molds need different levels of moisture. Some molds need little moisture to flourish; others grow only in extremely wet conditions.

Leaking pipes, leaking roofs and poor ventilation can all result in moisture accumulation in your home. But by far the biggest and most common culprit for mold growth in your home is your basement. And one thing we know for sure is if you keep your basement dry, mold will not grow.

How Do I know if I Have Mold in my Basement and What Can I do About it?

Sometimes you can see the mold on surfaces in your house, but sometimes you can't - it's hidden in walls or under carpets.  A musty or earthy smell can indicate that mold may be present, but not all molds smell.

Small amounts of mold can be removed with detergent as long as the surface the mold is on is washable.  But drywall can't be cleaned in this fashion - it must be removed and replaced.

If you have large amounts of mold, your best bet is to call in a mold remediation specialist.  The  Waterproofer can recommend such specialists to you - feel free to contact us!

For more information on mold, how it can affect your home and your health, and what to do it you suspect mold in your home, please visit the Canada Mortgage and Housing website.