Mould: Get Rid of It!

Health Canada recommends that all mould, regardless of the species, be cleaned and that the underlying water, humidity, or condensation problem be dealt with quickly to prevent potential health issues.

Do I Need to Test for Mould?

You should first look for obvious signs of mould growth like:

• Stains or discolourations on floors, walls, window panes, fabrics, carpets and other indoor surfaces.
• A musty, "earthy" odour.

In most cases, there is no need to measure the actual concentration of mould in your indoor air, or to determine the specific species of mould that may be growing on indoor surfaces. Although possible to measure, the results of such tests are not really useful for a number of reasons:

• The concentration of mould spores in indoor air will vary widely over time.
• There are different types of mould species and each has its own level of potency, or impact on human health.
• Different people have different levels of sensitivity to the various types of mould.

Not all mould is obvious. It can also grow inside walls or above ceiling tiles, so it is important to check for the presence of mould anywhere damp or moist, and especially where water damage has occurred.

If you suspect a mould problem that you cannot solve on your own, Health Canada and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) recommend that you contact a trained Indoor Air Quality Investigator for advice on building-related aspects of air quality. These investigators can do a visual inspection to identify areas of concern and make recommendations for improving the situation

How to Fix Mould Problems?

If you discover mould, follow these two steps:

1. Clean the mouldy surface with water and dish detergent. There's no need to use bleach.
2. Fix the underlying cause, whether due to water damage or excessive humidity.

You can generally clean small and moderate areas of mould by yourself, but you should consider getting professional help with extensive mould growth.

When removin

g mould, you should wear proper protective equipment, including rubber gloves, eye protection and a dust mask (N95 should be sufficient). You may also want to isolate the area by taping plastic sheeting to walls and ceiling to prevent the spread of dust and mould particles. Sensitive individuals should not be in the same or adjacent rooms during the work and may choose to leave the house until the mould is removed.The CMHC classifies the amount of mould as

Small, if there are 1 - 3 patches, each less than 1 m² (10 square feet) in size

Moderate, if there more than 3 patches or if the patches are greater than 1 m² but less than 3 m² (32 square feet)

Extensive if the patch is larger than 3 m²

You might consider hiring a professional if there is a large amount of mould or if the mould keeps coming back after you clean it. A large amount of mould is often also the result of a larger problem, such as a leak in the foundation or a major flood, which may require professional help to fix.

How Do I Prevent Mould Growth?