NO! Killing mould growth once established with bleach, a biocide, ultraviolet lights and ozone is not recommended by leading industry associations and is a complete waste of time and money. Killing mould will only retard its growth for a short period of time. Dead mould spores can be just as toxic as living mould spores and can have the same health effect on the occupants of the building. Mould does not behave the same way as bacteria and killing it should not be mistaken as clean-up or removal.
Yes. However, the genus and species of mould growing indoors are not usually found in large numbers in the outside air. In addition, the mould that grows indoors tends to be more toxic than mould found outdoors. If you have a significant mould problem indoors you may be breathing in tens of thousands (or more) spores than you would in a normal environment or outdoors gardening.
It depends how it got there and how serious the mould issue is. A small area of mould growth (less than 1 square foot) growing on concrete in a cold cellar can be cleaned up without a mould assessment. Mould growing on drywall, however, could be an indicator of a more serious mould issue inside the wall. If the wall is opened without protecting the rest of the area from traveling mould spores, you may be making the problem worse and more expensive to rectify.
Yes. The age of the building has no bearing on whether there could be mould, radon, poor air quality, etc. Newer buildings have more IAQ problems such as VOC chemical off gassing and can also have mould due to poor building design and construction.
Yes. We are finding elevated radon levels in many homes in the southern Ontario region. Radon has been linked to lung cancer and at low levels is equivalent to smoking 1.5 packs of cigarettes per day. There are multiple factors influencing radon levels, however, it does not produce any odour or any other visible effects.
In some cases the windows will need replacing if they are old and allowing water to intrude into the building. However, we have found in numerous cases that the problem is actually not the window itself. If the ventilation in the home is not adequate, replacing the windows may not solve the issue. In fact, it may make no difference at all. An air quality assessment would determine the cause of this problem and provide better solutions.
Radon is a colourless, odourless, invisible natural gas created from the natural breakdown of uranium deep within the earth. If radon testing discovers high levels of radon gas in your home it compromises your indoor air quality, leaving you and your family are at risk: radon gas is the second-most leading cause of lung cancer.
Radon gas particles are small enough to be inhaled. These radioactive particles settle in the respiratory system and cause damage, scarring, and cellular changes as they break down, leading to lung disease and cancer.
Testing for radon gas with SafeAir is a safe and effective way to understand the risk level in your home. These long-term passive tests are a discreet and accurate way to measure radon gas. If radon testing reveals an increased risk, we can help you put into place solutions to protect you and your family.
Contact SafeAir for Home Radon Testing.
Radon gas is on the lips of anyone concerned about their home’s indoor air quality. This colourless, odourless, invisible gas is only detectable through specialized radon testing and affects thousands of homes across Ontario. At SafeAir, many of our customers have never heard about radon gas and wonder why they should test for it — well, here are some answers!
What is Radon?
Radon gas is created as uranium decays. Deposits of this radioactive substance are buried deep in the earth’s crust, and as the gas floats to the surface, it can collect in our homes instead of safely dispersing into the atmosphere. Many people are surprised to learn that radon gas is the second-most leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoke — the tiny particles of radon gas cause cellular changes, inflammation, and damage to the lungs when we breathe them in.
The risk of cancer associated with long-term radon gas exposure means preventing exposure is critical. If SafeAir detects radon gas in your indoor air quality, the next step is to determine how it’s getting in and seal up any entrance points.
Here are a few common ways radon gas gets inside homes.
One of the reasons radon gas is so dangerous is that it’s impossible to detect with our senses alone. That’s why SafeAir offers reliable and trustworthy radon testing in Toronto and the GTA. These small, unobtrusive tests require only a few moments to install in your home; six months later, we return to uninstall them and send the device off to a lab for testing. Radon can fluctuate throughout the year, and tests must be placed precisely to obtain accurate results. Once we have your results, SafeAir can suggest strategies to mitigate your risk and reduce radon levels in your home. To inquire about radon testing or our indoor air quality tests, contact the SafeAir team directly.
Buying a new home this year? If you’re arranging to have a home inspection before, during or after purchase, the SafeAir team has a few recommendations to ensure your new home is clean and safe. We suggest adding mold inspections or radon testing to your inspection date, since these problems are easy to miss and difficult to detect with the senses alone. We offer a wide range of indoor air quality assessments so that you have all you need to make the right decisions.
One of SafeAir’s most popular services is mold testing and inspection. Mold is a prevalent issue across the GTA and affects homes of all age, size, and build — condos are not immune! Mold has a highly detrimental effect on your health and wellness and can quickly destroy architectural elements and objects inside your home, making daily life uncomfortable. Mold inspections can discover hidden infestations and detect newly formed mould patches, allowing you to eradicate them before they become a bigger problem.
Another popular service is radon testing. Radon gas is colourless, odourless, and invisible, which means that professional radon tests are the only way to know if you have a problem. Radon gas exposure is the most common cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, and the effects are often not felt until it’s too late. Radon gas testing takes place over a 3-6 month period using a small passive device that the SafeAir team carefully installs in your home's lower level or basement. Once the testing period is complete, we send this device to a lab for analysis — and help you interpret the results and what you may need to do next.
Nobody likes the smell of sewage, let alone in their home! Sewer off-gassing is a growing problem during the spring and fall when there is a lot of precipitation. Depending on the age and construction of your home, toxic and dangerous sewer off-gasses may be able to work their way into your home through pipes and sump pumps. While nobody likes the smell, sewer gasses' effect on indoor air quality can quickly lead to adverse health effects and make daily life uncomfortable.
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, and taste-free gas created during combustion — such as burning a fire or using a gas stove or BBQ. Carbon dioxide also isn't visible, smelly, or have a taste, and can be produced in various ways — for example, it’s what we breathe out! While both are hazardous, carbon monoxide is the one to watch. Inexpensive alarms are a must-have for every home.
Indoor air quality testing can discover mold growth, radon gas, sewer off-gasses, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and many other issues that adversely affect your living environment and cause discomfort. To book mold inspections or air quality testing of any kind during your pre-purchase inspection, contact the SafeAir team.
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