Mold is a living organism that can find a breeding ground in a wide variety of locales. To survive, mold needs to feed, but the feeding environment must be moist, damp, or humid – like drywall, carpet, or wood.

Water emergencies require immediacy. A good water extraction firm will respond quickly, will react to water damage appropriately, and will prevent “secondary” damage from evolving.

When water damage (or excess moisture) is not thoroughly dried out, mold can grow and spread.  An indoor flood, a sewer leak, or excessive indoor humidity can each create the ideal environment for mold.

A trusted and reputable contractor will offer an Asbestos Air Quality Test that is expedited by an impartial and independent third party. The contractor will also guarantee their work based on passing the AAQT.

Regardless of the type of water damage, the best option is to contract a “full service” company – one that deals with water extraction, handles the cleanup, and provides the restoration.

A good contractor will have trained, certified personnel; the latest in water extraction equipment; proven technical methods; and know-how with regulatory requirements and legalities.

Ideally, it’s best to have amold hygienist assess the extent of a mold issue, and evaluate the scope of damage.  This is a good first step in establishing a proactive action plan for the proper removal of the mold.

Asbestos is dangerous and hazardous. A good contractor will take extensive measures during the removal process, and will assure the health and safety of the building occupants as well as the removal teams.

For asbestos removal, hiring a professional services firm is absolutely essential. And with asbestos, even a low level of exposure can be a hazard.  There is no other way to properly handle asbestos removal.

Above all, it’s essential to contract a firm that specializes in mold removal. A company that specializes will have certified technicians who can assure a complete, comprehensive cleanup with positive results.

With asbestos, it’s essential for an expert to identify the source and extent. In Alberta, testing for asbestos is mandatory AND required before demolition or renovation can commence in buildings built before 1987.

An asbestos removal contractor should have the skilled, technical staff with specific and relevant experience handling asbestos removal. The team should also be knowledgeable with legislation and safety issues. 

The best is to contract a firm that uses eco-friendly mold removal products. These are products that are non-toxic and without biocides. They are strong and effective for mold removal, but safe for occupants.

When mold is suspected, it’s wise to use the services of a licensed mold hygienist for the inspection. This will ensure a precise and accurate inspection, and will establish the extent and severity of the problem.

By far, the most trusted inspection results (and mold testing) will come from an impartial third party. Doing it this way allows for objective testing and reporting as to the damage and danger of an infiltration.

Dehumidifiers generally remove excess moisture from the air in your home, so that overall, running a dehumidifier will make your house feel more comfortable. Even with all of these benefits, many homeowners still wonder about the effectiveness of dehumidifiers – particularly if a dehumidifier will kill mold and mold spores.

Because a dehumidifier “dries out” a room, there is less chance that condensation will fill the room, and less chance that mold will form. Mold tends to form in areas that are damp and humid, like basements and crawl spaces. This means that a good dehumidifier unit can be effectively used to fight a mold problem.
Mold remains active and toxic when humidity is high. When humidity levels are above 60%, mold can become a serious issue. On the flip side, with less air moisture, mold and mold spores cannot continue to grow and spread. When a dehumidifier keeps humidity less than 60%, mold has a difficult time proliferating.

While outdoor mold is not considered harmful, indoor mold does raise the risk of health issues. In order to prevent mold from growing and spreading indoors, it’s important to understand how mold develops and how mold survives. One thing is for sure, any form of air moisture in the home promotes mold growth (water, humidity, condensation).

The most effective strategy for preventing mold is to prevent air moisture. Also helpful is a regular air quality test to monitor your indoor environment. Amongst any other options, a dehumidifier can be used to maintain appropriate humidity levels and ensure a mold-free environment. Mold only survives when levels of humidity are high.

In a high humidity environment (one that is above 50%) mold has the potential to grow. In an effort to keep low humidity levels in your home, it’s possible to have a professional check your air quality and your humidity levels. This will set the stage for reducing air moisture and maintaining an indoor environment that does not promote mold.

In terms of indoor temperature, mold will not generally grow in a cool environment. Warm indoor conditions are the ideal environment for mold to grow and spread. Most molds need a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius or greater.

In the summertime, particularly with high humidity, air conditioning can regulate the temperature of your home, and can help to prevent mold growth. However, if mold has started to grow it will not be enough to simply reduce moisture.

Reducing indoor temperature and humidity will definitely reduce the potential for mold to develop. But if mold is already present (or in a dormant state), professional remediation will likely be  the right course of action for removal.

While mold needs organic material to feed on, air moisture is absolutely essential for mold to survive. In fact, moisture can be effectively controlled, and keeping indoor moisture at a low level remains the best way to prevent mold.