Ferro Canada, providing 24/7 commercial, residential services in mold remediation, asbestos abatement and more!

1. How to Rid Your Home
of Harmful Mold

2. O One of the things that virtually every
homeowner dreads is the discovery of
mold anywhere in the house. Mold is one
of those things that doesn’t look especially
threatening, but it has the potential to
damage the health of everyone living
inside the house if it isn’t dealt with.
O In order to rid your home of mold, it’s a
good idea to learn what it’s all about first.

3. About Mold
O Mold is actually microscopic fungi that
belong to the same family as yeasts and
mushrooms. Fungi are able to grow and
reproduce at a rapid pace, which is why a
mold problems needs to be handled
sooner rather than later. Mold is useful in
some instances, like with the creation of
penicillin, but when it grows inside your
home in damp conditions, it isn’t useful at
all.

4. O Experts have identified more than
270 different species of mold
growing in homes in Canada, with
high moisture levels being one of
the primary factors that help them
grow and prosper. Mold can result
in structural damage to a house,
damage to materials inside the
house and respiratory problems if
the inhabitants breathe in the
chemicals and spores that are
released. Not everyone will
experience the same effects from
mold in the house, but if it is
present you don’t want to take any
chances.
O You might be able to determine the
presence of mold through smell or
discoloration in different parts of
the house. Mold gives off a musty,
earthy kind of smell when you can
smell it and it can be virtually any
colour, not just black.

5. How to Get Rid of Mold
O If you discover mold that consists of less
than three patches with each less than a
square meter in size, you can clean it
yourself. You’ll need:
O Safety goggles
O Rubber gloves
O Disposable dust mask

6. O For common, washable surfaces scrub the patches with an
unscented detergent and then wipe it away with a clean,
wet rag. Dry the area immediately after you wash it off.
O For drywall that is growing mold, use baking soda or a small
amount of detergent with a damp cloth, but don’t let the
drywall get too wet in the process.
O If you have more than three patches of mold that are each
less than one square meter, you can still clean it yourself as
long as you follow safety precautions. These include:
O Wearing the disposable dust mask
O Tape plastic sheets to the ceiling and walls to isolate the moldy
area
O Set up an exhaust fan in the window of the room being
cleaned, if possible

7. How to Prevent Mold
O Getting rid of mold is great but preventing it is even better.
You can take measures in every area of your home to keep
mold growth away so no one in your family has to worry
about it. Here are some tips to help keep your home mold
free:
O Keep excess moisture out of the house
O Fix water leaks right away
O Keep the house clean and well-maintained
O Check for signs of moisture on a regular basis
O Reduce clutter and stored materials that might hold dust and
moisture
O Use a dehumidifier in the basement in the summer
O Remove lint from the dryer after each use
O Use the bathroom fan when you shower and let it run for
several minutes afterward
O Check outdoor areas like the roof and downspouts for mold
growth

8. When to Call In the Experts
O There really isn’t a time when you should avoid calling mold
removal experts. If you suspect mold and there really isn’t
any, calling in the professionals will at least give you peace
of mind. However, there are some definite times when you
should call in mold removal experts. Call in experts when:
O There seems to be more mold than the ‘three patches’ you can
safely clean yourself
O Your home seems to be really moist and damp on a continual
basis
O You clean the mold yourself but it keeps coming back
O You or a family member are experiencing respiratory or other
health issues in a damp house or a house that has a mold
problem

9. O Even if you are a consummate DIY type,
don’t try to mess with large volumes of
mold on your own, because you’re only
asking for trouble. Mold removal experts
are called experts because they specialize
in removing mold from houses in a safe
and fast manner. You aren’t admitting
defeat by calling in a professional, just
showing that you care about your family
and your home.