The Number One Cause of Okanagan Mould Removal. 

The number one cause of household mold is generally humidity. Household mould can cause a range of uncomfortable symptoms. For instance, runny nose and itchy eyes. During a heat wave, it is easy for the climate to become humid. Muggy weather has a direct connection to mould growth. It is important to combat humidity in your home during all seasons. 

High heat promotes the growth of a wide range of allergens. These include mould and dust mites. Dust mites can be eliminated by using parasite-resistant mattresses and pillow covers. As well as, washing your bedding in high heat often. Vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters can also be of benefit when getting rid of summer allergens. 

How to Prevent Humidity in Your Home?

One of the best ways to fight humid climates is to invest in a dehumidifier. Most households should have a dehumidifier on hand to run throughout the year when the climate gets humid. By running your air conditioner, you are taking some of the humidity out of the air. This is because cool air holds less moisture. However, you may find that by the time your home reaches an ideal temperature, your relative humidity is unchanged. This is where the dehumidifier comes in handy. 

The Mayo Clinic recommends that household humidity should remain between 30-50%. If your home is too humid, it can make you feel stuffy and create an environment that is highly susceptible to mould growth and other allergens. 

You can measure the humidity levels in your home by purchasing a hygrometer. This is a device that is similar to a thermometer. Hygrometers can be found at your local hardware or department store.    

Furthermore, in newer homes, heat recovery ventilators can help combat humidity. A heat recovery ventilator (HRV) is a ventilation device that replaces stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air. This is because newer homes are more airtight which causes indoor air to become stale. HRVs help to distribute clean air throughout the home to keep things fresh and improve health and cleanliness. Furthermore, HRVs do an exceptional job at getting rid of excess moisture and bacteria in a home.     

Do I Need Okanagan Mould Removal If I Find Mould?

If you discover mould in your home, be sure to speak with a professional right away. It is important that you do not disturb the mould. Hiring a professional Okanagan mould removal specialist is the best course of action if you find mould in your home. An expert at mold removal will use special tricks and techniques to ensure that the mould is removed safely and cleanly. 

If you aren’t careful, you can end up making your mould situation much worse by trying to remove the affected material yourself. As soon as mould is disturbed, it begins to release mycotoxins which help it survive against other moulds. Moreover, you should never bleach mould affected areas because mould will respond in a dangerous way. The reaction between bleach and mould causes the mould to release spores into the air. This tactic is fruitless, because as soon as you get rid of one area of mould, the spores from that area have spread across your home. Thus, causing it to come back to a new place in your home after a short period of time.

However, if you discover mould on a surface that is non-porous you can use vinegar to kill a portion of the mould. Make sure that you use undiluted vinegar and wait for 10-minutes before removing the excess with a cloth. Once it is wiped away, ensure that you throw away the cloth that you used. This process prevents the mould from releasing spores into the air.

Contact Us About Okanagan Mould Removal. 

It is important to keep a firm handle on humidity during the summer months—especially when there’s a heat wave! If you would like to receive a quote for our Okanagan mould removal services, contact us today. We’d be happy to help you remove any unwanted bacteria from your home. For more information feel free to reach out to us. Be sure to stay tuned to our blog for more mold-related information. We look forward to helping you out soon!

The post Preventing Okanagan Mould Removal in a Heat Wave appeared first on Swipe Contracting Ltd..

Why a Mouldy Home Can be Bad:

Moulds found inside a house can come in many different colours, shapes and sizes. Some moulds are visible to the eye while others can be hidden in hard-to-spot places. They can smell, cause illness and ultimately look unattractive when inside a home. In severe cases, mould can cause rashes, respiratory problems, severe fatigue, and seizures. Furthermore, mould can grow between walls, where there is carpet, on painted surfaces, on tile, and in any other dark/damp location. Mould can grow in houses that are situated in almost any climate. However, it is most commonly found in high precipitation areas or areas with a hot/humid climate. 

Mould is most commonly found in the following areas:

• In basements or places that have experienced flooding and have not dried.
• Inside of tightly sealed buildings that do not allow moisture to escape.
• Inside of houses with poor ventilation, lots of houseplants and excess dampness.
• Around leaking pipes, windows or roofs.

How to Tell If you’ll Need Mould Removal in the Okanagan?

When you are buying a new home, it is important to pay attention to the signs of a mould happy habitat. For instance, still water, dampness in the home, lots of wet houseplants, musty smells, strange stains and water where there shouldn’t be. Laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements and kitchens are all common areas where mould might be living. So, keep an eye out when you are walking through these rooms. Any parts of the home with the potential to be exposed to water or moisture are at risk of developing mould. 

If you cannot visibly see the mould, but you suspect that there might be a mould issue, ask your home inspector. It is crucial to have the house inspected before you purchase it. Home inspectors do so much more than check for mould. A home inspector will be able to point out obvious instances of water damage or signs of mould. However, most inspectors do not directly look for mould. Although, they will likely check in places that a buyer wouldn’t normally look during a walkthrough. After your inspector has looked through the home, be sure to ask them about their findings. Specifically, if they found anything that may point to mould growth or water damage. 

Another thing you should do as a buyer is ask the seller to disclose any mould or water-related issues. The seller is required to provide you with information regarding any problems that they know of with the home in British Columbia. However, if there is an issue that the seller didn’t know about, they are not responsible to provide this information. 

Ultimately, you should listen to your real estate agent, inspector, appraiser, and your gut. Mould damage isn’t something to mess around with. However, in most cases mould removal in the Okanagan is a viable option. 

Is it Worth it to Buy a Home With Mould?

Buying a home with mould comes with various risks. Although, in some cases, it might be okay to purchase the home anyways. However, if you are living with an elderly person or an infant, you may want to consider finding a different property. This is also true if you have a family member with a respiratory condition like asthma. These groups of people are generally more at risk of having a poor response to mould growth within the home. Additionally, it is important to consider the financial risk of buying a house that has a known mould problem. 

If you would like to receive a quote for mould removal in the Okanagan, contact us today. We’d be happy to help you decide whether your new home is a good fit for you. For more information feel free to reach out to us. Be sure to stay tuned to our blog for more mould-related information. We look forward to helping you out soon!

The post Checking for Mould in a New Home: Mould Removal in the Okanagan appeared first on Swipe Contracting Ltd..