When mould makes a mess

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When mould makes a mess

parrysound.com - Parry Sound,Ontario,Canada

North Star, News, Wednesday, November 19, 2008

by Carli Whitwell | more by this writer

http://www.parrysound.com/press/1227115373/

Louise Ramsay scrubs and scrubs with bleach until the grimy black

substance that seems to swallow every inch of her 800-square-foot

apartment disappears.

Two days later it comes back and she has to do it all over.

" I washed the walls, cleaned them with Javex and then it got to the

point where I was using pure Javex and it was (still) doing no

good. "

Ramsay's Parry Sound apartment is full of mould.

According to experts, she's not alone.

The majority of households have some level of mould, says Bill

, a public health inspector from the North Bay Parry Sound

District Health Unit.

Mould is a fungus that tends to flourish in bathrooms, basements and

sinks — anywhere there are warm, damp and dark conditions — and can

grow on any surface except metals.

There are over 270 species, says . " Some are more toxic than

others … but there is no advocated safe level of mould. "

So when do you know if the black stains on leaky windows or the

grayish growths on shower grout are an issue in your home?

" If you see the mould, it means you have a mould problem, " says Ken

Ruest, a senior researcher from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing

Corporation.

His best example, he says, is a reference from mould expert Dr. J.

, from Carleton University. " If (the mould is) the size

of a postage stamp, don't panic; a bread box, start cleaning; and a

sheet of plywood, then you are really into qualities that (are) a

problem. "

Health effects are also an indicator, adds from public

health. Some people are more susceptible to mould: pregnant women,

infants, the elderly and people with health problems, he says. " But

if you are symptomatic, coughing and wheezing, then you have a

problem. "

The first step to rid your home of mould is to go straight to the

source. " You have to determine the moisture sources that led the

mould, " says Ruest. " If you don't bother finding it, you can clean

and clean and clean and it will come back. "

Take a look at Ramsay's apartment. She has a lot of plants in her

home and runs a washer and dryer indoors. There is no ventilation.

No fans in the bathroom.

All these factors could affect how much moisture and mould she has

in her place, says Ruest. Even variables such as a large indoor

aquarium, too many people living in one apartment or never opening

windows can contribute.

But there are invisible threats as well. The mould might not be

starting in her apartment, says Ruest. The problem could be in the

building itself. He explains: a building is a dynamic thing. You

can't just look at one source. Air floats between units. There could

be a leak in the basement or on the roof.

" If moisture gets through the walls, that's a serious problem, " says

. " That's affecting building materials. They become mouldy and

high-risk spores could become airborne. "

That's when you call in a professional, he says.

Winmar Property Restorations is likely the closest mould remediator

to Parry Sound. They have an office located in Bracebridge and clean

or remove contaminated mould to a level equal or less than levels

outside or from a non-affected surface, says Robitaille, an

estimator and project co-ordinator from Winmar.

This can cost homeowners from $5,000 to $60,000 for a full-scale

home remediation.

Ramsay, whose walls and windowsills are stained black and whose

apartment reeks of must, doesn't have that sort of money.

An added problem? She's a renter. That means she must try to co-

operatively address the issue with her building owner, says Tammy

Purdy, Town of Parry Sound bylaw officer. If that is not effective,

they can submit —in writing — their concerns to the town, says

Purdy. " The town will give you resources. "

The last resort – if both parties can't come to an agreement — is a

housing tribunal.

If you're a homeowner, suggests cleaning the mould once (see

tips in sidebar) and keeping humidity down in the home.

" If the mould comes back, that's usually the indication the source

of the problem hasn't been corrected and that's when you need to

seek professional help from a trained indoor air quality

investigator. "

Here in Parry Sound, Ramsay, who says her health has deteriorated

considerably in the three years she's called this apartment home,

has decided she can't put up with it anymore. She has purchased her

own home and plans to move out of her unit this month.

But Ramsay still worries. " My main concern is that other people will

get sick, " she says. " I want people to know what this is like (to

live with mould). I can't see kids or elderly people living there. "

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