How to Assess The Risk of Mold in Your Edmonton Home

Think there might be mold in your home? How can you know for sure? 

One of the biggest concerns for homeowners in Edmonton is the growth and spread of mold in their homes. Mold is common outdoors but should naturally be avoided indoors as much as possible. Depending on the species or quantities, mold can be quite harmful to humans, causing a range of ailments from allergies and asthma to long term illness. Mold infestations left untreated can also be detrimental to the structural integrity of a house.  

Mold can be found in many different places throughout the home, such as behind drywall, bathrooms, flooring, ducts and more. If not taken care of early on, mold can spread quickly through a house, becoming a severe issue. Unfortunately, mold is not easy to detect, so if you suspect mold within your home, it's best to get the help of professionals for mold removal in Edmonton. At CRS, we have a team of professionals who can provide mold remediation in Edmonton and help keep your family and home safe. 

How Does Mold Spread?

Mold spreads by releasing spores into the air, typically finding their way into a home through doors, windows, ducts and other points of entry. Usually, this isn't an issue unless the spores land in a wet or damp spot within the home. If they do, the spores can quickly turn into mold and release more spores throughout the home. Spores are especially troublesome as they can easily travel through HVAC ducts and airways and quickly spread throughout the house as it circulates air. When it comes to assessing the amount of mold in a home, locating a single spot often doesn't mean that it's the sole source of the mold contamination. Since mold can travel quickly through multiple rooms of a house, a thorough attic inspection in Edmonton is likely necessary. 

How To Prevent Mold? 

Moisture is key to the spreading of mold spores. The best way to prevent mold growth in your home is to eliminate damp areas from your home, especially around wood or other organic materials like insulation. 

Common areas for mold growth in the home are under kitchen and bathroom sinks, showers, at the edge of windows and doors and laundry rooms. Areas where water or rain can enter are a likely breeding ground for mold. Ensure that these areas are routinely cleaned and inspected to ensure that mold is addressed before it can start to spread throughout the home. 

How to Eliminate Mold? 

Mold spores are likely always going to exist in a home, but that doesn't mean they have to become a problem. At CRS, we specialize in mold removal in Edmonton and have specialized equipment to deal with the situation. If choosing to do it yourself, here are a few tips to follow:

• Clean and dry wet and damp areas and fix any leak sources. This includes fixing leaking pipes, damaged windows, or humidity issues in laundry rooms. 
• Scrub hard on mold surfaces with a sponge. Use detergent and water to kill the spores and ensure the area is dried completely. 
• Avoid breathing in mold spores, exposing yourself to the spread, and wearing proper PPE such as masks. 
• Wear goggles, gloves and long sleeve shirts to limit the contact between skin and mold. Mold can cause skin irritation, and precaution should be taken to limit the amount of contact with the bold.

Mold can be tricky to clean up and potentially dangerous to humans. If you need to remove mold, call the IICRC certified professionals at CRS to safely remediate mold in your home. 

Assessing Mold

Mold problems can range from minor mold developing underneath a sink to a full-on mold invasion. Depending on the severity of the mold growth in your home, the response you choose may need to change. If you suspect you have mold inside your home, it's best to do a thorough investigation of the areas where mold usually grows, such as underneath sinks or in bathrooms. If you find mold in your home and notice only a small surface, it can generally be taken care of by yourself by following the steps outlined above. However, if the mold growth is more severe, it is best to hire a professional for mold remediation in Edmonton.

If you think you have a mold problem, contact us at CRS for a mold inspection and to protect your home.