MOLD
Home is at the heart of our life. It is the place where we spend time with our family members, loved ones and friends. That's why it's important to make sure we live in a healthy home. There is a relationship between mold, humidity levels inside homes and increased health problems.
The word “mold” is commonly used to refer to microscopic fungi that grow on food and damp materials. Their presence is recognizable by the appearance of spots, often black, white or another color and may have a musty, earthy or alcohol odor. Rings, buckling or other signs of water infiltration on walls, ceilings and floors may indicate the presence of mold hidden behind the materials.
To grow in our homes, mold needs air, humidity and organic matter such as wood, cardboard, paper or Placoplâtre (gypsum) on which it can live. They then release "spores" into the air that are so small that people can breathe them. Inhaling large quantities of these spores and their by-products can have a detrimental effect on your health.
Inside homes, mold typically forms on window sills, fabrics, carpets, and walls in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room. Indeed, when mold is visible or there are signs indicating its presence, a careful inspection of your home should allow you to trace the cause, then determine the most appropriate measures to correct the situation. However, mold is not always visible. They can thus develop inside walls or on the hidden side of ceiling tiles. Recognizing the signs of mold is very important to protect the health of you and your family.
Common sources of mold are:
-
Water condensation on surfaces which is caused by excess humidity and/or lack of ventilation and/or low temperature.
-
Excessive steam or humidity produced in the bathroom, from showers and cooking.
-
Water infiltration due to roof or plumbing leaks and foundation cracks.
Practical advice
Inspect the exterior of the house at least once a year (roof, attic, windows, gutters, caulking, drainage, etc.).
Carry out regular housekeeping of the house as well as complete maintenance at least once a year to detect traces of water infiltration and mold hidden behind furniture, in wardrobes, storage areas or elsewhere .
Useful links
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/fr/co/love/aihuprso/aihuprso_002.cfm
www.msss.gouv.qc.ca/sujets/santepub/environnement/index.php?id=41,39,0,0,1,0
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fniah-spnia/promotion/public-publique/home-maison/mould-moisissure-fra.php
www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/environment-environnement/home-maison/mould-moisissures-eng.php
Présence de moisissure et d'humidité élevé sur les murs du garde-robe en contact avec les murs extérieurs. Inspecteur en bâtiment. Inspection de maison.
Support (poteau) de la poutre principale attaqué par la moisissure causée par le contact direct avec la terre humide et d'un manque de protection adéquate contre l'humidité contenu dans le sol. Inspecteur en bâtiment. Inspection de maison.
Problème important de moisissure sur le haut d'un cadre de porte causé par un manque d'isolation et de ventilation adéquate dans la pièce. Inspecteur en bâtiment. Inspection de maison.
Des soffites bouchés empêche la libre circulation de l'air et un renouvellement efficace de l'air dans l'entretoit. Résultat...une accumulation d'humidité excessive qui cause la formation et le développement de moisissures sur le support du toit. Inspecteur en bâtiment. Inspection de maison.