Mold & Moisture

A number of potential clients have called our office to ask for a mold inspection.  In quite a few instances the mold they are experiencing shows up in the bottom track of a window or bottom of window and sill.  This is not something you need a firm such as Advance Restoration to solve - a little soap and water will take care of the problem.  Because you may be sensitive to molds of various kinds, you may consider wearing rubber gloves to perform this simple clean up.

While the simple step above will solve the problem of mold in the window track or sill, it will not solve the cause of that water, which is condensation.  Any time you have warm interior air meeting a cold surface such as a window pane in the winter, the result will be condensation on the window.  As the condensation builds up it runs down the window and settles in the track.  If the track drain holes are blocked for any reason, the water just sits and eventually mold forms.  As noted above, in itself, this is not a big problem and one easily remedied; however, if left for a long time the moisture can build up and find its way onto the window sill.  The result is rot of the sill and if left long enough, rot and mold in the wall under the window.  In most cases, the rot will not be visible, but the micotoxins released by the mold will find their way into home and be present in the air you are breathing.

The good news is that this is entirely preventable, and without cost.  Always aware of your security, you should try to leave your window open just a crack - perhaps a half inch (centimetre).  In most cases this will prevent moisture from building up on the window.  In the first photo you can see the moisture on the window.  If you can't open the window for any reason, you must take steps to reduce the moisutre in your home or in any room with a high moisture content.  You could purchase a dehumidifier for the room(s) affected and run it as long as it takes to keep the moisture down.  Remember, the human body gives off between .07 litres and 2.5 litres of water daily depending on various factors.  Add to the cooking, showering, etc. and you get quite a bit of moisture being added to your home daily.

Overall, the level of humidity in your home should not exceed 45%.  When humidity is higher than that you will likely start to have problems with mold.

If you find evidence of mold in your home, call Advance Restoration at 604-522-0900 or 1-855-522-0900 toll free from the Abbotsford/Mission area.  We will be pleased to come to your home and investigate the level of contamination without cost to you.  We will provide you with a Scope of Work and Cost Estimate that will completly remove the mold from your home.  Our technicians have Clean Trust AMRT Certification and use the latest equipment and methodology.