Basement Mold Removal in Toronto
Many homeowners think mold in their basement is a natural part of basements - they’ve always lived in homes that have musty, moldy corners, so they think, why get basement mold removal services in Toronto? At MoldTech, we know that a moldy basement isn’t something you need to put up with, but a problem that can be solved, gaining you valuable livable space in your home.
It's Important to Get Mold Removed From Your Basement
The first thing to know is why mold grows in the basement in the first place. Whether or not you use your basement on a regular basis, it is generally one of the lesser trafficked areas in your home. Basements tend to have low windows and poor ventilation when compared to other ares of your home, and house big appliances like the furnace, washer, or dryer, which can all produce humidity or moisture. Basements also tend to be less insulated, making it easier for condensation to form, and they are often at risk for flooding or water damage due to their subterranean nature.
Mold can appear in a number of different colour, shapes, sizes, and textures; different varieties might even cause different symptoms. Sometimes it’s easy to identify mold on your own - it may look exactly like you expect. Other times, mold may not be so easy to spot, since it can grow inside walls, furniture, between books, or blend in with its surroundings. However, there is usually a tell-tale musty smell in moldy rooms, and visible spots in black, green, or brown are common. At MoldTech we offer free visual mold inspections - so if in doubt, get in touch and we’d be happy to take a look and offer our recommendations.
Knowing the signs of mold growth and the heath effects they can cause is often the first warning sign that something’s wrong. Mold reproduces by putting small spores into the air; those spores travel and settle in new areas, and when the right conditions arise, mold can begin to grow within 48 hours. Knowing why mold is growing is the first step in solving the problem. Mold can grow for many reasons, such as:
- Poor Ventilation: Mold likes a stagnant environment - the less air flow the better. Ensuring that places that frequently get damp or are at risk of moisture in your basement can go a long way if there’s a water event.
- Water: This is the single most important thing to watch out for in basements. Basement mold removal in Toronto most frequently happens after a flood, leak, or water event, because water is mold’s magic ingredient - it can’t survive without it.
- Excessive Moisture: Sometimes the problem isn’t water, it’s just excessive moisture. A mold professional can help you find ways to reduce your basement humidity, but a dehumidifier will help for short periods
Water damage is the most common reason that we see mold damage in Toronto basements. The frequency of water events like big storms and rapid snowmelt are causing sewers and the ground to become oversaturated. Once that water gets in your basement, it can soak into studs, drywall, furniture or other organic materials; even after the puddles dry up, those objects can retain moisture and become a breeding ground for mold spores. After any excess water is found in your basement it’s a good idea to carefully check for damp items and thoroughly dry things out to prevent future problems.
Having basement mold removal in Toronto isn’t just about preserving your things; it’s also about taking good care of you and your family’s health. Mold can cause serious health effects and common symptoms include:
- itchy, watery eyes
- sneezing
- skin rashes
- headaches
If you suffer from any of these symptoms when you go down into the basement, it might be worthwhile to take a close look around - mold can inadvertently spread to other rooms in the house and just because it’s in one room doesn’t mean it won’t make you feel ill in another. While most people have a mild allergy to mold, people who are young, old, or suffering from chronic health problem have a higher risk of experiencing severe reactions to mold growth. There’s growing data to suggest a link between childhood asthma and mold growth, which can increase the frequency and severity of attacks.
To answer the question of why get basement mold removal services in Toronto, the first important factor to consider is you and your family’s health. Mold reproduces by putting small spores into the air; those spores travel and settle in new areas, and when the right conditions arise, mold can begin to grow within 48 hours. Mold can cause serious health affects - in healthy people, mold may cause allergy-like symptoms, from sneezing to itchy eyes, to a headache. In people with chronic illnesses like asthma, it can increase the frequency of attacks or respiratory trouble, and can land you in the hospital.
Why Basement Mold Removal is not a DIY Project
Beyond your health, why get basement mold removal services in Toronto? Home maintenance is big job, and with so many moving parts, from your HVAC, to roof, to yard, to kitchen, the homeowner’s to-do list is never finished. But removing mold from your basement promptly is an important element of your home’s overall health, because mold can cause structural or material problems that cause thousands of dollars worth of damage. When mold settles and begins to colonize on a surface, it eats away though the layers of material. If this happens to be a book, it’s easy to throw away. If it is drywall or basement studs, or a precious family heirloom, however, remediation becomes trickier.
Before you wonder why get basement mold removal services in Toronto, it is important to remember that major appliances like the furnace can help spread mold through the house by pushing contaminated particles throughout your rooms. Having a basement mold assessment can help you determine if there is mold in your basement, where it is, and what may be the root cause of it. If you don’t know the answer to “why get basement mold removal services in Toronto?” give us as call at MoldTech, and we’d be happy to walk you through the risks associated with mold growth, and the common ways we remediate basements and help our clients achieve a healthier living space.
- Learn more about mold inspection in Mississauga
- Learn more about mold testing in Mississauga
- Learn more about mold testing in Toronto & the GTA
- Learn more about attic mold removal in Toronto
- Learn more about attic mold remediation in Toronto
- Learn more about black mold removal in Toronto
- Learn more about mold removal in Toronto