Mold
Awareness
for the danger of mold in the home has risen substantially throughout this decade.
In fact, some have gone as far as to consider mold the “asbestos” of this
decade. The truth is - mold is in every single house, condo and townhouse. So,
it’s not necessarily ridding a home of mold that one should be wholeheartedly concerned
with. Rather, homeowners should be considering how to properly control the
indoor environment within their homes. If done correctly, the proliferation of
molds can be curtailed, resulting in a safer environment for the home’s
occupants.
Where does mold develop, you might ask?
Well, mold develops in areas with a combination of: water, moisture supply, low
light, poor ventilation and little air movement. It is on account of these
factors that mold is most commonly found in basements and crawl spaces and wall
cavities that subject to these conditions.
Why is mold an issue with properties
built in
Mold and issues of moisture penetration
tend to be concerns for properties built since the 1990s. This
isn’t to imply that properties built in 2008 have mold issues, nor is this to imply
that they will have mold issues.
Instead, I am pointing out that there is a difference between older construction
materials and those that came to the market in the 1990s, and those that came to
the market since around 2000. New construction materials do not breathe
like older, more porous building products. Remember, lack of air circulation
and proper ventilation are breeding grounds for mold growth. Also, in newer
buildings, many of the products have had limited long range
testing. During periods of construction booms, substandard products are
widely used with little consideration of long range performance. It should be
pointed out, however, that lessons have been learnt from the disastrous era of “leaky
condos” and many products have been black listed in order to protect consumers.
Builders have also learnt from the mistakes of the past. In order to ensure
that new buildings breathe and provide proper air ventilation and flow, new
buildings are built with rainscreening.
Indicators that mold might exist within
the home or building
Although not generally visible, it is possible to test for mold and save yourself
from buying a home and condo in an affected building. When buying or selling a
home – all types of homes, including condos etc., it is important to look for signs
of problem areas where mold might be lurking, or where it has a future potential
to grow. Indicators for mold include: high humidity in the home or building;
water and pipe leaks; flooding; musty odors; increased allergies; leaky roof; damp
basement or crawl spaces; wall discoloration; warped wood; and black growth.
What to do if you find mold in your home
If you find mold in your home, you should consider hiring a specialist to
fully assess the problem. Alternatively, if you are capable and familiar with
mold, you can work to immediately contain it yourself. You must, however, be
careful touching mold as it can travel directly through the skin. It is
therefore critical that you take measures to prevent the mold spores from spreading.
Each affected area needs to be sealed off before you begin your clean-up. It is
possible to use soap and water to remove mold but you must ensure that you
fully dry the surface to avoid growth of other molds. Do not transport removed
mold through the house. Removed mold should be contained within plastic bags
and disposed of immediately. Tips: wear a mask; wear clothing that can be
easily removed – wash it separately and be sure to remove the contaminated clothes
within the sealed off area; thoroughly air out the contaminated area.
How a REALTOR can help
Working with a REALTOR® who is familiar with local
construction standards, building histories, and local weather patterns can
assist you in finding a home that is mold free. Joel Carcone is a
qualified REALTOR® and
former builder who prides himself on providing insight to his clients on issues
of moisture, leaky condos, air quality and mold.