The Importance of Regular Mold Testing in Vaughan
When was the last time you tested your home for mold growth? You may be surprised to learn that many professionals (like us at MoldTech!) recommend annual inspections because the long-term value of preventing the need for mold removal in Vaughan outweighs the short-term costs of mold testing and inspection.Mold can cause thousands of dollars of severe property damage, weakening homes and making inhabitants very ill. If you live in a single-family home, townhouse, or condo in Vaughan, this article will help you understand the cause and effect of mold growth in your home.
Causes of Mold Growth in Vaughan
Mold growth indoors happens because of one main reason: too much moisture. Whether it’s a liquid, airborne, or frozen, preventing water from accumulating where it isn’t supposed to is essential for preventing indoor mold growth. Here is a short list of the most common causes our team sees:
- High humidity.
- Poor airflow and ventilation, especially in bathrooms, basements, and attics.
- Moisture intrusion through the foundation.
- Plumbing leaks and breaks.
- Roof issues.
- Condensation.
Health Effects of Mold Exposure
Besides property damage, the most significant risk from indoor mold growth is to your health and that of your family members. For most people, mold exposure will resemble allergies or a lingering cold or flu, but exposure to mold spores may be severe for those with chronic illnesses, children, or elders. At MoldTech, our clients commonly report:
- Headaches.
- Sneezing or nasal congestion.
- Respiratory effects like coughing or wheezing.
- Fatigue.
- Irritation of the eyes, nose, or throat.
The Importance of Regular Mold Testing
Sometimes, it’s obvious you have a mold problem at home — you can see it, smell it, or have mysterious symptoms that clear up when you leave the house. But for many folks, mold growth comes as a complete surprise after mold testing.
At MoldTech, we recommend mold inspection or testing when you’ve had issues like:
- Leaks.
- Floods.
- High humidity.
- Roof damage.
- Are planning renovations.
- Are buying/selling a house.
Prevention is always easier and less expensive than remediating an established mold infestation. Mold testing can find infestations when they are emergent, small, and easy to remove. Testing for mold growth will help you get to the root of strange health problems, prevent damage to heirlooms and property, and, perhaps most importantly, give you peace of mind.
Types of Mold Testing
At MoldTech, we mainly do three types of mold testing. Your home may need one type or all three — it depends on what risks or problems we identify. The three types of testing are:
- Air testing, which identifies spores, can be helpful when you have evidence of a hidden infestation.
- Surface testing helps identify mold species in visible infestations. Sometimes, knowing the type of mold can help us decide on individualized treatment plans.
- Bulk testing is when some items or objects need testing. The con of bulk testing is that it is destructive — for example, you’ll need to clip off a small piece of carpet that needs testing.
How Often Should Mold Testing be Conducted
We recommend that you conduct mold testing as often as necessary, which will mean something different for each property. In general, you should consider annual mold testing if your home is 15+ years old. Fixtures, roofing, and windows will be showing their age and may need repairs to prevent moisture intrusion or identify weaknesses.
If your home tests negative for mold and is dry or moisture-free after a mold inspection, you may want to increase the time between mold testing to 5 years unless something changes. Changes may include renovations, weather events like big storms, new appliances (like a furnace or air conditioner), or pipe breaks.
If your home is in a flood plain, has had previous mold issues, or has had recent damage, you may want to test every six months or after a seasonal shift. Upping the frequency of mold testing when you have a higher risk helps catch any new infestations as they begin and can save you a lot of trouble.
What To Do if Mold is Detected
Mold growth often causes panic — between the horror stories on the news about sick building syndrome and vulnerable family members, people’s first reaction is frequently, “Get me out of here!”
The good news is that a mold diagnosis doesn’t mean you have to move! The next step is simply a safe and professional mold remediation in Vaughan. At MoldTech, we have several critical recommendations:
- Hire a professional — don’t DIY or use a general contractor. Training, tools, and experience will significantly impact the outcome regarding safe mold removal. At MoldTech, we follow the latest in science-based mold remediation and detection strategies, which means that we can assess and eliminate your problem more effectively based on criteria with third-party development and testing.
- Follow proper remediation procedures. If your remediation lasts more than a day or requires post-visit treatment, we’ll give you a list of do’s and don’ts. Following these recommendations is a critical safety step!
- Take steps to prevent future problems. At MoldTech, we don’t just remove mold; we’ll also diagnose the cause and give you suggestions on how to reduce and eliminate it. Following our steps to eradicate moisture or to increase ventilation is the only way to prevent mold from returning.
Let MoldTech Help You!
The time is always right to have your home tested for mold in Vaughan. Many homeowners aren’t aware that mold can grow during the winter because they think summer heat is essential. However, with climate change and the heated, air-conditioned state of our homes, more and more families are experiencing severe mold issues during the winter.
At MoldTech, we offer mold removal in Vaughan all year round. After over a decade of experience in the mold remediation business, we’re constantly adjusting our services to respond to the latest technology and science regarding mold growth and safe remediation. We have several non-toxic and effective strategies to treat your attic, basement, or bathroom mold — and every room in between.
To learn more about mold removal in Vaughan or speak to a MoldTech technician, contact us to book your free visual mold inspection.
