Do You Really Need Mold Removal Services in Toronto?

In Toronto, mold removal services can cost from anywhere between $500 to as much as $30,000 depending on the scope of work to be done. Many homeowners, because they want to save money, take the risk of attempting a do it yourself mold removal instead of calling in the pros.

In cases of small amounts of mold growth, like the black spots in the grout lines in your shower, it does make sense to handle the problem yourself as you can easily remove them with ordinary household cleaning products. In fact, it is highly recommended that you stop small infestations of mold yourself before they get big and do more harm.

However, disturbing big infestations of mold is a whole other matter. It’s no longer as simple as wiping the mold away with a wet cloth and a spritz of bleach, vinegar or borax.

There’s a level of contamination to consider that makes the removal of large amounts of mold complicated to handle.  Inhaling mold spores can be bad for your health. They can cause allergic reactions such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, congestion and dry, scaling skin. They can get into your lungs and trigger asthma.

Here’s how to tell if mold removal is too big a job for you to handle on your own and you need to call in the pros:

• Mold covers an area greater than 10 square meters - As stated in the Mould Guidelines for the Canadian Construction Industry which you can find at the website of the Canadian Construction Association, you should consult a mold specialist if you find indoor mold growth that is larger than 1 square meter, and you should not attempt to remove areas of mold that are greater than 10 square meters.

• Mold forms after flooding with water – There is very high possibility of contamination with sewage or other potentially hazardous substances.

• Mold is hiding in vents, ducts, air conditioning and heating systems – This requires specialized equipment to contain the spores and effectively suction out all the mold spores lurking in your HVAC systems, and most homeowners just don’t have the right equipment to do this type of mold removal properly.

• Mold removal requires structural work – For instance, if there is mold that is growing deep inside the wall cavities where there are pockets of humid, moist air. These are practically hidden from sight and will need invasive structural inspection and testing that requires parts of the wall to be cut down or knocked down. Another is when there is mold on the ceiling, which is usually a humidity or condensation problem caused by a water leak above the ceiling and so some plumbing and water damage repair work is needed. Moldy wood also requires professional assistance as it will need to be sanded and encapsulated properly.

• You have a medical condition – If you have an existing medical condition, such as asthma, allergies or an immune system disorder that might be exacerbated by exposure to mold, then you cannot risk doing any mold cleanup of any sort.

A surface treatment will not be enough to completely and properly remove large amounts of mold. To get rid of a bona fide mold problem, your best bet is to call in professional mold removal services in Toronto to handle the job properly.  Only trained technicians will know the right steps to take to accurately test, totally remove, thoroughly cleanup, vacuum and sanitize and then fully restore any areas that mold has infested.

Do You Really Need Mold Removal Services in Toronto?

In Toronto, mold removal services can cost from anywhere between $500 to as much as $30,000 depending on the scope of work to be done. Many homeowners, because they want to save money, take the risk of attempting a do it yourself mold removal instead of calling in the pros.

In cases of small amounts of mold growth, like the black spots in the grout lines in your shower, it does make sense to handle the problem yourself as you can easily remove them with ordinary household cleaning products. In fact, it is highly recommended that you stop small infestations of mold yourself before they get big and do more harm.

However, disturbing big infestations of mold is a whole other matter. It’s no longer as simple as wiping the mold away with a wet cloth and a spritz of bleach, vinegar or borax.

There’s a level of contamination to consider that makes the removal of large amounts of mold complicated to handle.  Inhaling mold spores can be bad for your health. They can cause allergic reactions such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, congestion and dry, scaling skin. They can get into your lungs and trigger asthma.

Here’s how to tell if mold removal is too big a job for you to handle on your own and you need to call in the pros:

• Mold covers an area greater than 10 square meters - As stated in the Mould Guidelines for the Canadian Construction Industry which you can find at the website of the Canadian Construction Association, you should consult a mold specialist if you find indoor mold growth that is larger than 1 square meter, and you should not attempt to remove areas of mold that are greater than 10 square meters.

• Mold forms after flooding with water – There is very high possibility of contamination with sewage or other potentially hazardous substances.

• Mold is hiding in vents, ducts, air conditioning and heating systems – This requires specialized equipment to contain the spores and effectively suction out all the mold spores lurking in your HVAC systems, and most homeowners just don’t have the right equipment to do this type of mold removal properly.

• Mold removal requires structural work – For instance, if there is mold that is growing deep inside the wall cavities where there are pockets of humid, moist air. These are practically hidden from sight and will need invasive structural inspection and testing that requires parts of the wall to be cut down or knocked down. Another is when there is mold on the ceiling, which is usually a humidity or condensation problem caused by a water leak above the ceiling and so some plumbing and water damage repair work is needed. Moldy wood also requires professional assistance as it will need to be sanded and encapsulated properly.

• You have a medical condition – If you have an existing medical condition, such as asthma, allergies or an immune system disorder that might be exacerbated by exposure to mold, then you cannot risk doing any mold cleanup of any sort.

A surface treatment will not be enough to completely and properly remove large amounts of mold. To get rid of a bona fide mold problem, your best bet is to call in professional mold removal services in Toronto to handle the job properly.  Only trained technicians will know the right steps to take to accurately test, totally remove, thoroughly cleanup, vacuum and sanitize and then fully restore any areas that mold has infested.

Types of Services a Toronto Asbestos Removal Company Can Provide

There are different types of services that a Toronto asbestos removal company can provide. As a consumer, you would want to understand the different types of asbestos work they will be completing to be able to minimize costs.

Here are some of the most common types of asbestos services:  

Asbestos Siding Removal

Asbestos siding is made up of asbestos fibers and Portland cement. They are potential health risks because they are brittle and can crack and break easily, which can release asbestos fibers into the air and ground area. A common method to deal with asbestos siding is to apply a layer of sheets of foam insulation over the asbestos and then covering it with vinyl. This is allowed in some states, so check local building codes to be sure. The best alternative in the long run, is to remove asbestos siding. Although it is a bit more expensive, it should be the first choice if you can afford it.

Asbestos Roofing Removal

Roofing products such as asphalt roofing felt, asphalt roofing shingles, cement roofing shingles, roof underlayment, sealants and flashing commonly contain asbestos. It can be covered up, but the safest treatment method is to remove asbestos roofing materials as soon as possible.

Asbestos Flooring Removal

Until the 1970’s, asbestos was commonly used in the production of flooring materials to reinforce the flooring and to increase its durability. Common types of flooring that may contain asbestos are pre-1990’s 12″ tiles, vinyl or asphalt-based floor tiles, linoleum sheets and adhesive, mastic or glue used to attach floor tiles.

Removal of Asbestos Insulation

The most common uses for asbestos in homes and buildings built prior to the 1990’s was for insulation. Some types of asbestos insulation, also called vermiculite insulation, installed in Canadian homes were attic insulation for heating, ventilation and air conditioning located in attics, pipe insulation to control the temperature of hot pipes, block insulation applied to concrete blocks, wall insulation inserted  behind drywall, and spray-applied insulation to provide thermal protection in attics, walls, and ceilings.

Asbestos was incorporated into all of these types of materials before federal regulations limited its use in the late 1970s. If you suspect that your property may have any of these asbestos-filled materials, the safest and most cost-effective move is to hire a professional contractor familiar with asbestos removal.

When hiring, choose a company that is IICRC certified and has appropriate insurance coverage for the type of asbestos work involved. A qualified asbestos removal company will follow specific steps to ensure safety and thoroughness. 

These steps include:

-        Containing the area to control dust particles

-        Using protective clothing and equipment

-        Thorough clean-up of work area

-        Thorough disposal of asbestos waste

When in good condition materials that contain asbestos remain safe. However, exposure to heat, water, weathering or aging, and repair activities like sanding, cutting, drilling and sawing can break up the materials over time and release asbestos fibers into the air. Breathing in these fibers can cause severe lung diseases such as asbestosis and cancers such as mesothelioma.

Although the cheaper alternative may be to cover up the asbestos materials, the most appropriate method of managing the problem for long-term results is complete asbestos removal. This cannot be done as a simple DIY renovation project. Only a qualified Toronto asbestos removalcompany can do the job efficiently, and most importantly – safely.

How to Choose a Toronto Mold Removal Company

There are many factors to consider when hiring a mold removal company in Toronto. Many companies market themselves as professionals and experts in mould removal, but how can you really know if they are fully trained, licensed, and experienced?

Here are key indicators to help you along the screening process:

1.       Does the company have environmental pollution liability insurance for mold removal? Their policy must precisely indicate that they are insured for working with mold. If the policy states other substances or materials then they are not carrying the right coverage. Read the fine print to be certain.

2.       Does the company have IICRC certification? The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is the organization responsible for developing certifications and standards for inspection, cleaning and restoration. A company who is IICRC certified means that they have technicians who have received IICRC training and testing specifically in mold removal procedures. An IICRC certified company will own a certificate by the IICRC with their company name clearly printed.

3.       Does the mould removal company employ a third party environmental consultant or inspector for final clearance testing? Clearance by a 3rd party is a critical part of the mould removal process.  Once the job is completed, an individual or company other than the one who performed the removal comes in to verify that no presence of airborne or visible mould exists and that air quality is up to standards. A qualified removal company will only employ third party experts such as hygienists and certified inspectors in order to prevent a conflict of interest.

4.       Is the company able to provide a written proposal detailing the scope of work involved? A professional mould removal company will be involved throughout the entire process from inspection, sampling and testing, actual mould removal, cleanup, third party clearance, and repair and reconstruction.

5.       How will the company treat the mould? Check the written proposal regarding the strategy they plan to use. Do their recommendations state a complete removal of mold or just a cover up? Look for wordings in the proposal, such as “seal” or “encapsulate” the mold, which means that they will merely do a cover up. A professional mold removal company will adhere to industry accepted standards for mold decontamination and mold spore removal procedures. Their action plan will outline the main steps which will involve isolating the affected areas, setting up negative pressure, removing the mold, preventing mold regrowth, cleanup work, HEPA vacuum and disposal of the mold.

6.       Will technicians use proper precautions during mold removal process? Mould removal can be dangerous so their recommended strategy should include details on the best way to reduce health risk and will regard personal safety, such as wearing protective clothing and using proper equipment.

7.       Is there a warranty for the scope of work? A qualified company will provide written guarantee for services completed.

Extensive areas of mold growth will definitely require professional help, and small and moderate areas of mold can be cleaned DIY. However, there are many things that can go wrong in the process, so if you are not confident to clean mold by yourself, then it’s best to consider hiring a professional Toronto mold removal company to clean it up and prevent it from coming back.