Mold Remediation near you

Health Canada says people exposed to mould and dampness are more likely to have eye, nose and throat irritation, coughing and phlegm, wheezing and shortness of breath, and worse asthma symptoms, and that exposure may contribute to asthma, bronchitis, respiratory infections and eczema. Infants, children, seniors, pregnant people and anyone with a respiratory condition such as asthma are most at risk.

Cleaning mould without drying out its source only buys time. Health Canada notes that mould which returns after cleaning usually means the moisture hasn't been removed, and advises professional help at that point. A good specialist starts by asking where the water comes from, and may bring in a plumber, a roofer or a waterproofing contractor before any removal begins.

Health Canada sorts mould problems by size, and the size decides who should handle them. Count every patch and estimate the total surface, keeping in mind that what shows on a wall is often only part of what grows behind it.

Disturbing mould releases spores and fragments into the air, so the core of professional work is keeping them inside the work zone. The specialist closes it off with plastic sheeting, seals vents and doorways, and usually runs an air unit with a HEPA filter that exhausts outdoors. That keeps the zone under negative pressure, so air flows in rather than out to the rest of the house, while workers wear respirators and protective clothing.

Materials that can't be cleaned are cut out, bagged inside the containment and carried out sealed. Framing and other solid surfaces are cleaned, the zone is vacuumed with HEPA equipment, and everything is dried and checked with a moisture meter before insulation and drywall go back. Health Canada likewise recommends a HEPA vacuum, or a central vacuum that exhausts outside, for mould cleanup.

Health Canada notes that porous materials such as fabrics often cannot be properly cleaned and must be thrown away, including carpets, sofas, cushions, mattresses, pillows, stuffed toys and bedding that got wet. Building materials follow the same logic, and a remediation quote should say which will be removed and which cleaned.

Health Canada is direct on two points: don't use bleach to clean up mould, and don't count on paint. Painting a mouldy surface neither kills the mould nor stops it from growing back; it only hides the problem for a while.

Before the containment comes down and walls are closed, walk through with the specialist: no visible mould or dust, framing dry on a moisture meter, the water source repaired and no musty smell. Some owners also hire an independent assessor, separate from the removal company, to inspect and sometimes sample the air.

Insurance is less predictable. Policies often treat mould according to its cause: growth after a sudden, covered water event may fall under that claim, while mould from a slow leak or ongoing humidity is often limited or excluded. Call your insurer before work starts and keep photos, reports and invoices.

In Quebec, the Tribunal administratif du logement lists the presence of mould or fungi among the conditions that can make a dwelling unsanitary, and the landlord must keep it fit for habitation. A tenant who finds mould should notify the landlord and keep a record of the notice and photos. If nothing is done, the Tribunal can order the work, reduce the rent, award damages or, in some cases, end the lease.

In Ontario, the Landlord and Tenant Board's maintenance brochure says a landlord must keep a rental property in a good state of repair and meet municipal or provincial health, safety and maintenance standards, while tenants must repair or pay for damage beyond normal wear and tear. A tenant whose landlord ignores a maintenance problem can apply to the Board with Form T6.