Why Toronto Is a Hot Spot for Mold and How a Mold Inspection Can Help

Posted in Mold, on March 15, 2021

Thousands of Toronto homeowners have to deal with mold growth every year, which has to lead to mould inspection in Toronto becoming a popular service among your neighbours. Nobody wants to admit they’ve got a mold infestation in their home, but the truth is that there are some things you can prevent and some that you can’t, and it’s often the location or construction of your home that makes mold more likely. Continue reading to learn some of the common causes we find during mold testing in Toronto. 

Humidity From Outside

Southern Ontario sees a relatively wide range of weather — from -30° in the winter months to temperatures that soar above 30° during the heat of July. This huge change can promote or exacerbate mold problems across the various neighbourhoods of Toronto. 

People living closer to the lake will experience lake effect weather changes that may bring more humidity or moisture to their neighbourhood, while homes in low-lying areas will suffer from flooding. One of the most frequent causes for basement mold growth in Toronto is flooding or damp basements. Once the water recedes, moisture can remain trapped between the walls or under flooring, where you won’t be able to spot the mold growth. 

Humidity From Daily Household Activities

Another problem we see during mold inspection in Toronto is that homeowners unwittingly create humidity and moisture problems from ordinary, everyday activities. One room in which we see this is the bathroom, which usually has three water-using appliances: the toilet, the shower/bathtub, and the sink. While leaks, spills, drips, and condensation all cause mold growth, the number one culprit of bathroom mold is humidity created during bathing. Without a fan or open window, humidity can get trapped in a bathroom and create ideal mould growth conditions. 

Other activities that promote mold growth include cooking, dishwashing, and the clothes washer and dryer (especially air drying clothes indoors!). 

Poor Ventilation

Why do household activities cause mold growth? The answer is usually poor ventilation. Good airflow indoors helps to whisk humid air out of your home and dry up any of the spills and drips that are part of daily life. A home without good ventilation will be stuffy, prone to strange smells, be difficult to heat or cool, and generally be an uncomfortable environment. Just as we need fresh oxygen to be our best, so do our homes!

How Can An Inspection Help?

Mold testing and indoor air quality testing can help you reduce the effects of these common causes of mold growth. Not only can testing identify if there’s a problem, but it also helps to locate mold colonies or problem areas in your home, which can then be remediated and solved. Indoor air quality testing detects mold growth and other harmful air pollutants like asbestos, lead, radon, carbon monoxide, allergens, and more. 

For New Home Buyers, It Prevents…

Mold inspection in Toronto can help save new homebuyers a literal headache as well as a financial and emotional one! One of the best times to do indoor air quality testing is during a pre-purchase home inspection or shortly before or after moving in. Suppose-related, while other times it’s the neighbourhood, geography, or internal factors that have caused mold. Whatever the reason, mold testing in Toronto is a safe and reliable way to find mold growth and reduce the risk of mould-related allergies or damage. If you’re curious about the risks your home faces, we’re happy to do a free consultation to find out if mold inspection in Toronto is suitable for your home. Contact us online or by phone at 416-414-5690.