Ahh, spring!
While we all feel the relief at putting away our winter woolies, the change of seasons brings us its own new set of challenges.
Ground saturation from rains and melting snow; moisture seepage into block foundation; windowsill condensation that can’t evaporate, and other sources of dampness, like slow plumbing leaks and basement floods, can negatively affect our living conditions.
We’re talking about mould, of course.
It can take as little as 48 hours of dampness, coupled with high humidity, for mould to take hold. To keep the worst from happening, Miller’s expert team members offer up some tips:
- Ensure proper ventilation exists in places where high humidity (bathrooms, kitchens, basements etc.) can be a problem.
- Check insulation in these places on a regular basis, to make sure its quality has not been compromised by dampness and mould.
- Maintain plumbing properly, as it requires it. Leaving even a very slow leak to gather can lead to the growth of mould in a contained area.
- Install dehumidifiers as necessary to help remove moisture from air. Maintain low indoor humidity, ideally to between 30 per cent and 50 per cent.
You won’t always be able to see mould (it may live above ceilings, or underneath plumbing fixtures, or behind walls), but you can watch for its effects on your health. Keep an eye out for eye, nose, and throat irritation; unusually prevalent coughing and phlegm build-up; wheezing and shortness of breath, and a worsening of asthma symptoms.
If you should discover mouldy conditions in your home, our Miller teams agree the first thing you want to do is call your insurance company. Do not attempt to remove severe mould growth on your own; you will need the help of a professional to diagnose the cause of the condition and make a plan for its alleviation.
If you employ the services of a contractor to get rid of mould, ensure they are certified and insured for mould remediation. At Miller, we offer certified services that include air testing and sample culturing; removal and cleaning of structure and contents, and complete rebuild services where necessary. Our expert team includes experienced technicians who use non-destructive containment techniques.
If you are dealing with a very small mould problem, seal all mould-growth items in plastic for transportation to a disposal area (so you don’t spread the spores around). Wear latex or nitrile gloves; use respirator systems, and wear eye protection while working.
To disinfect a small area on a hard surface, such as a shower door, the only thing that will work is a chemical disinfectant, such as bleach. Do not use scented bleach.
Bleach, however, will only work to kill mould on hard, non-porous surfaces. To get to the roots of a mould infestation elsewhere, killing both roots and spores, you will need something stronger, which may mean calling in a professional team, such as our experts at Miller Restoration.
If you fear your health is compromised and suspect mould may be behind your breathing difficulties, don’t hesitate to call in the professionals. Our Miller team will come up with a plan to diagnose your home, to seek out and destroy the mould that may be growing around you.
Don’t let mould take hold in your home!
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To learn a little more about mould and the dangers it presents, visit the Health Canada website HERE.
Do you have questions about mould growth in your home, or are you in need of advice following a disaster? Our experts at Miller Restoration would be happy to answer any questions you might have.
Call the Miller office at 905-688-9224, or visit our website contact page, HERE.
Miller Restoration is a member of Disaster Kleenup International. We’ve been helping Niagarans recover from home-related disasters since 2007. Our expert teams offer services in dealing with wind, water, fire, mould, hoarding and other accidental disaster situations. When you call Miller, help is at hand!