The Hazards of Mold in Your Home
Posted in Mold, on July 11, 2023
Mold is known to cause physical problems, like discolouration, staining, softened wood, and damaged drywall. But you might be surprised that during a mold inspection in Toronto, the most considerable effect is usually on air quality. At SafeAir, our environmental inspections in Toronto generally pick up on a baseline level of mold spores in most homes and businesses — after all, mold is a natural and inevitable part of the environment. But elevated levels of spores indicate that something else is happening, even when you see no evidence.
Structural Damage
The most visible effect of mold growth is structural and material damage to your home. Mold can degrade insulation and make it ineffective (driving up those monthly heating and cooling bills); damage joists, studs and drywall; rot out floors and walls. When left unchecked, this type of structural damage can result in expensive rebuilding costs on top of remediation and removal.
Indoor Air Quality
Mold reproduced with small airborne spores. These spores can affect our respiratory system, eyes, nose, and skin and may contribute to allergies and chronic conditions like asthma and eczema. Spores are too small to see with the naked eye but register during environmental inspections in Toronto — air samples can also help identify types of mold, which can help you target the exact cause behind the infestation.
Who is Affected by Mold
Even if you live a healthy lifestyle, mold and environmental pollutants can still affect your daily life, which is why SafeAir thinks it’s essential to test your indoor air quality at home. Understanding what risks are present in your home can help you adjust and make the small changes that often significantly affect air quality for the better.
If you live with small children or elders or have a chronic condition, improving indoor air quality may be more of a priority. Living with allergens like mold spores can, in essence, put your immune system on overdrive, so it's always slightly irritated and needs to work harder. Mold has been implicated in problems with sleep, concentration, skin health, hair health, and many other minor but disruptive health effects.
How Does Mold Make You Sick?
Many SafeAir clients come to us for mold testing in Toronto when they experience symptoms such as:
- Coughing or wheezing.
- Sneezing.
- Running or stuffy nose.
- Itchy eyes.
- Persistent headaches.
Signs of Mold Indoors
Mild mold allergies can quickly start affecting all parts of your life and put pressure on other health conditions too. That’s why we recommend watching out for symptoms of indoor mold growth like:
- Soft floors or walls.
- Discolouration or staining.
- A musty odour.
- Problems with heating and cooling.
If this sounds familiar, a mold inspection in Toronto can help you rule out mold growth or discover unknown colonies that may affect indoor air quality. If you’re curious about your indoor air, environmental assessments can give you a snapshot of what’s affecting your air quality. Whether it's mold, allergens, asbestos, or radon gas, eliminating these invisible pollutants can help you live, work, and play healthier. Contact the SafeAir team by phone or email or learn more about indoor air quality and you.