Mold Inspection & Testing
Mold is a health hazard that is appearing in homes across Southern Ontario. A mold inspection or mold testing can help determine what sort of problems your home or office faces, and help you return to a healthier, safer indoor air quality. While many people believe that mold growth is a warm-weather problem, the truth is that mold can grow at any time of year - the symptoms of a mold allergy are so similar to common problems like the cold, flu, and hay fever that it can be difficult to see where the true problem lies.
Where Can Mold Grow Indoors?
Mold can be found growing in many places indoors, but there are a few places that it prefers. When we do mold testing in Toronto, we often focus on three different areas of the home:
- The basement is often a source of excess moisture or water leaks, especially when it’s completely underground. Washing machines, piping, and other plumbing issues can cause unwanted moisture, and a lack of air flow can cause it to linger.
- Kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms are highly susceptible to mold growth. Water is the key ingredient in mold growth, so it’s not uncommon to find mold growing in and around places where water can drip, splash, or leak.
- In the attic, mold growth can often go undetected for months before it’s discovered, and cause serious health issues due to poor indoor air quality by the time mold growth is found.
What are the Signs of Mold Growth?
One of the most common indoor air quality services requested at SafeAir is mold inspection in Toronto. Several signs and symptoms of indoor mold growth indicate testing is necessary, and you don’t need to be a professional to notice them.
Here are the top 6 signs you should test for mold growth:
- Water damage or leaks.
- Condensation on windows or walls.
- High indoor humidity.
- Warping drywall or wood.
- A musty odour.
- Sneezing, headaches, and congestion — especially when concentrated in one room.
Moisture and Mold Inspection
If there is one primary cause of mold growth, it’s indoor moisture. When we see high humidity levels or problems with leaks or hear of a recent flood, the SafeAir crew knows it’s time to roll up our sleeves. Mold can begin to grow in as little as 48 hours after water exposure, and there are plenty of ways that water can enter and stick around our homes.
Three of the most common reasons are:
- Poor ventilation in high-humidity rooms like the bathroom
- Leaks under sinks or behind appliances
- Recent flooding