Is Living in a House with Mold Safe? Here’s What You Should Know

If you’re a homeowner or business owner in the Greater Toronto Area, you know that our climate can sometimes lead to issues like water damage and mold growth in buildings. Our region’s freeze-thaw cycles, humid summers, and aging urban infrastructure create perfect conditions for moisture problems throughout the year. Mold is a common problem, especially in older homes and buildings, but many people don’t realize the potential health risks associated with mold exposure or how quickly a small problem can escalate into a serious situation. As a leading restoration company serving Toronto and the GTA for over 15 years, Restoration Mate is here to provide the facts about mold and help you keep your property safe and healthy.

What is Mold and Why Does it Grow Indoors?

Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in moist environments. Mold spores are microscopic and float through the air, so when they land on a damp spot indoors, they can start to grow. In order for mold to grow, it needs four key elements:

• Moisture (from leaks, flooding, high humidity, or condensation)
• Organic materials to feed on (drywall, wood, carpet, insulation, etc.)
• Suitable temperature range (most molds grow best between 60-80°F)
• Lack of ventilation

In Toronto’s climate, there are a few common scenarios that often lead to indoor mold growth:

• Leaks from rain, melting snow, or plumbing
• Flooding from heavy rainfall or sewer backups
• High indoor humidity from inadequate ventilation
• Condensation on cold surfaces like windows during winter months

Building codes in Ontario (Ontario Building Code Part 5 – Environmental Separation) require homes to be built to withstand our local weather conditions, but water leaks and moisture problems can still occur, especially in older buildings. That’s why it’s important for property owners to be vigilant about preventing and addressing any moisture issues right away.

What are the Health Risks of Mold Exposure?

While some types of mold are relatively harmless, others can pose serious health risks, particularly for people with allergies, asthma, or weakened immune systems. Understanding these risks is crucial for Toronto residents, especially given our climate’s tendency to create conditions favorable for mold growth.

Who’s Most Vulnerable?

Certain groups face higher risks from mold exposure:

• Children and infants: Developing respiratory systems are more susceptible to irritation
• Elderly individuals: Often have weaker immune responses
• People with existing respiratory conditions: Including asthma, COPD, or chronic bronchitis
• Individuals with compromised immune systems: Including those undergoing chemotherapy, living with HIV/AIDS, or taking immunosuppressant medications
• Those with genetic predisposition to mold allergies: Some people are simply more sensitive to mold due to genetics

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Exposure

Short-term exposure symptoms typically include:

• Nasal stuffiness and throat irritation
• Coughing and wheezing
• Eye irritation
• Skin rash
• Headaches
• Fever

Long-term exposure can lead to more serious conditions:

• Chronic sinusitis and bronchitis
• Development of asthma in previously unaffected individuals
• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (inflammation of lung tissue)
• Potential neurological effects including memory problems and mood changes
• According to a 2007 study by the Environmental Health Center-Dallas, chronic exposure to mycotoxins can contribute to neurological symptoms

According to the World Health Organization, exposure to moldy buildings can increase the risk of:

• Asthma development in children
• Respiratory infections
• Allergic reactions
• Bronchitis and pneumonia in those with weakened immunity

Even if you aren’t experiencing noticeable symptoms, living in a house with mold is never advised. Mold will continue to spread and worsen over time if not properly addressed. Significant mold growth can also seriously impact your property value.

How Can You Tell if There is Mold in Your Home or Business?

Visible mold growth is usually pretty easy to spot and often looks like a fuzzy stain in shades of black, green, or brown. You may see it growing on walls, ceilings, floors, or around window frames. Mold also often has a distinctive musty odor.

However, mold can also grow hidden behind walls, under floors, in insulation, or in other concealed areas. If you’ve had any water leaks, flooding, or sewage backups in your property, there is a strong chance mold may be present even if you can’t see it.

Some other signs that could indicate a mold problem include:

• Unexplained allergic symptoms
• Water stains on walls or ceilings
• Bubbling or peeling paint/wallpaper
• Warped walls or floors

Professional mold inspectors have specialized tools to find hidden mold, including:

• Moisture meters to detect damp areas
• Thermal imaging cameras to spot temperature differences behind walls
• Borescopes to visually examine tight spaces
• Air sampling devices to test for airborne mold spores

If you suspect any mold issues, we always recommend calling in certified mold inspectors and remediation specialists to assess the situation. DIY mold testing kits are unreliable.

What Should You Do if You Find Mold on Your Property?

If you do find mold in your home or business, it’s crucial to have it professionally remediated right away for the health and safety of your family or employees. In Toronto, bylaw 629-12 requires commercial building owners to maintain their buildings free of mold. For homeowners, it’s equally important to act quickly.

Attempting to clean up mold yourself is rarely advisable, as disturbing mold without proper containment can actually worsen the problem by spreading spores to other areas. Bleach and other DIY methods are also usually ineffective at removing mold at its roots.

At Restoration Mate, our certified technicians follow a comprehensive mold remediation process to keep you safe:

1. Inspecting and testing to assess the full extent of the mold problem
2. Containment to prevent the spread of mold spores
3. Air filtration with HEPA filters
4. Removing mold and mold-infested materials
5. Cleaning and sanitizing
6. Drying the affected areas to prevent mold returning
7. Restoring and replacing any removed building materials

We stand behind our work with a 2-year warranty and always adhere to IICRC S520 industry standards for mold remediation. We’ll also help you address the underlying water or moisture issue to prevent the mold from returning.

Mold Prevention Tips for Toronto Property Owners

The best way to deal with mold is to stop it before it starts. Here are some tips for controlling moisture and preventing mold growth in Toronto’s climate:

• Fix leaks in your roof, windows, or plumbing promptly – even small drips can create significant mold issues within days
• Keep indoor humidity between 30-50% with proper ventilation and dehumidifiers if needed – invest in a quality hygrometer to monitor levels in different areas of your home
• Use exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms, ensuring they vent completely outside and not into attics or crawlspaces
• Clean and dry any water-damaged areas within 48 hours – this critical window is when mold begins establishing itself
• Avoid carpeting bathrooms or basements where moisture levels fluctuate seasonally
• Seal and insulate cold surfaces like windows to prevent condensation, particularly important in Toronto’s winter months
• Grade soil away from your foundation to prevent water seeping indoors, with downspouts extending at least 6 feet from your home
• Consider scheduling annual maintenance inspections of your roof, foundation, and plumbing to catch potential problems before water damage occurs

If water damage does occur, calling in certified water damage restoration professionals immediately can minimize the chances of mold developing.

Get Peace of Mind with Professional Mold Remediation

Living with mold is never worth the risk to your health and property. If you suspect mold issues in your Toronto home or business, contact Restoration Mate today. With over 15 years of experience and a team of IICRC-certified technicians, we provide the most effective mold inspection and remediation services in the GTA. We’re here 24/7 to keep your property clean, safe, and mold-free!