Housecleaning can be fun if you’re just dealing with dust and grime. With household cleaners, towels, a broom, a mop, and a vacuum cleaner, you might have a clean house by the end of the day and feel amazing. Housecleaning with mold, however, is an entirely different story. No amount of mopping or vacuuming will help you get rid of mold. If the mold growth covers an area of more than 10 square feet (the size of a bath towel), you should consider calling a mold specialist. Cleaning large areas of mold can can be tricky. Mold spores are airborne and very hard to keep contained. For cleaning small amounts (10 square feet or under), we recommend using a specifically mold or mildew cleaning product. There are several different brands that will work fine at your local Home Depot or Lowe's. BUT WHY SHOULD I CALL MOLD REMEDIATION SPECIALISTS Mold removal professional are trained and equipped to deal with all sorts and sizes of mold growth in the most systematic manner possi...

In a nutshell, winter indoor air is often even more toxic than summer indoor air because there is typically less ventilation from opening windows or doors; very low humidity, which lowers the body's ability to cope with indoor toxins; and more use of appliances that contribute their own toxic by-products into the air. Here is a list of the most commonly cited indoor airborne toxins, courtesy of the Canadian Lung Association : Fumes and gases from wood-burning stoves and fireplaces Tobacco smoke, fumes, by-products Household cleaning products, air fresheners, and scents, including candles and          perfumes Carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides from gas appliances Formaldehyde from pressed wood furnishings and carpeting Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from use of indoor pesticides, home improvement products, and craft glues Radon seeping up from cracks in foundation and walls Mould and mildew growth in damp areas such as ba...

Water leaks in a property need to be fixed as soon as possible, otherwise mould will start growing and turn the property into a fungi nightmare. When property owners deal with a mould problem they might think that a dehumidifier could get rid of the mould. But are dehumidifiers efficient at removing mould? Let's discuss! What is a dehumidifier? Dehumidifiers are portable devices that pull moisture from the air, decreasing the dampness in a room. Ideally, the home should have a relative humidity between 30 and 40%. This improves comfort and decreases health risks. A hygrometer can be used to monitor the humidity in a home. Does a dehumidifier remove mould? Removing ALL mould spores from a home is nearly impossible. Mould stays “dormant” in the air or on surfaces even if there’s no excess moisture to help it grow. If the humidity in a room increases, mould will start growing in patches on walls, clothes, and more. Thus, dehumidifiers do NOT kill mould, but they do help pre...

Winter often means a decline in indoor air quality (IAQ), largely because as business owners and homeowners we are often doing our best to keep cold winter air OUT and warm indoor air IN. This can help keep our heating bills down, but it can also lead to poor indoor air quality inside your residential or commercial property. Indoor air quality can deteriorate due to many factors, including an inadequate outdoor air supply, poor indoor environment (excessive humidity and poorly controlled temperatures), and indoor air contaminants (everything from common household dust to food odours to perfumes and chemical cleaners to off-gases from new building materials). All of these factors have the unintended effect of decreasing indoor air quality and contributing to health conditions that include asthma, allergies, Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), Building-Related Illness (BRI), Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS), “sick home syndrome” and many others. If poor indoor air is a concern whe...

Forest fire smoke can affect your health. Persons with respiratory or heart conditions, such as asthma, can experience worsened symptoms during minor and severe smoke events. During severe smoke events even healthy individuals can be affected and may experience irritation of the eyes, throat and possibly shortness of breath. Everyone – and in particular those with pre‐existing respiratory or heart conditions – should monitor their symptoms and seek medical care if symptoms worsen. Who is at risk? Those with pre‐existing heart and respiratory conditions such as asthma are most at risk; however, everyone can be at risk during a severe smoke event and should monitor their symptoms. Take appropriate precautionary measures and seek medical care if symptoms worsen. How do I protect myself? During a severe smoke event: Reduce or avoid strenuous outdoor activities – especially if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation. Children, the elderly and those with...

Have you noticed tiny droplets of moisture – otherwise known as condensation – forming on the inside of your windows this winter? If so, you likely have an issue of high indoor humidity. So, why does it happen? New homes in Canada are built to be airtight, limiting the flow of air in and out of the home to reduce heat loss. As a result, it’s difficult for excess moisture to escape during the winter months when windows are constantly closed. High indoor humidity can fog up and eventually rot your windowsills. With excess amounts of condensation, mould will begin to grow on vinyl windows. And that’s mold that you and your family will breathe in every day. Bathrooms and kitchens are moisture monsters – steamy showers and boiling pots build up water vapour in the air that condenses when it touches cold walls and windows. In this environment, mould will eventually start to grow. Excess moisture is a problem you don’t want to ignore, but you’ll be happy to hear that there are many simple w...