Toxic Mold

black mold on a wall

If there is any moisture in a home, the affected area becomes a ripe breeding ground for mildew and mold. But many families fail to associate health complications with the possible presence of mold in their home, seeing the occasional patch of this substance as a minor nuisance that can easily be eradicated with cleaning. Unfortunately, mold can be toxic. Its symptoms may be easily confused with other health conditions. If mold is allowed to continue to grow within a home, the results can be disastrous for your health. What is toxic mold and how can you keep it out of your home?

What is Mold?

The term mold is a layman’s term that refers to different types of fungi that can be found both inside a home as well as outdoors. In order for mold to thrive, it requires a moist atmosphere. As mold begins to grow, it causes damage to the area it attaches itself to, leaving the material in danger of collapsing. But it is not simply the structure of a home that can be negatively impacted by the presence of mold. Mold infestations can have serious implications for your health; often leading to the development of what appears to be recurring allergies or life-threatening infections.

Mold can take many different forms. It typically appears in clumps and can be many different colors including black, yellow, brown, pink, and even green. While some mold simply appears as small spores, other patches emit a powerful and unpleasant odor while still others may be fuzzy to the touch.

While mold and fungus are associated with many things we find unpleasant such as a musty smell, damp rooms, mold-infested carpets, skin conditions, and even spoiled foods, some molds actually do contribute to our lives in a positive way. These particular fungi are seen in such valuable items as penicillin, blue cheese, and the yeast starter required to make some of our favorite products including bread and beer. Mold also helps to break down organic material such as leaves, trees, and some waste materials.

Though mold spores are always present throughout our environment, they will not thrive and grow in the absence of moisture. Mold can grow in places we can easily see such as on walls or in showers, but it also thrives in areas we can’t view so readily such as beneath drywall and underneath carpets. To prevent mold from spreading, it is essential that you remove any dampness from your home and make certain there are no areas where water can accumulate.

Are There Different Types of Mold?

There are many different types of mold, but two in particular can be toxic to human health. These two kinds of mold are called black mold and white mold.

Here are some of the key differences between these two mold varieties:

  • Black mold

Black mold is a term that refers to several different varieties of fungi that are black or dark green in hue. Though black mold can be extremely harmful to your health, the color of a mold discovered in your home is not sufficient evidence that it may be toxic to you and your family.

Black mold favors warm, humid conditions. Its favorite locales within your home include baths, showers, kitchens, basements, and toilets. However, black mold does not limit itself to places where water collects in abundance. It can also be found on such materials as paper, wood, and even dirt.

Experts believe that black mold itself is not necessarily toxic. Instead, they assert that some people are simply more susceptible to developing symptoms as a result of exposure to the spores from black mold in their environment. For those that are highly sensitive to mold, inhaling even a few spores may lead to respiratory distress. But generally speaking; if a large concentration of black mold is present in a home, most people will succumb to more serious breathing problems. For this reason, it is vitally important that all traces of black mold be removed from a home.

Black mold is sometimes referred to as toxic mold because the spores produce mycotoxins which are poisonous to humans. There are several symptoms that you may develop that could indicate a type of mold poisoning from exposure to black mold. These include:

    1. Aches and pains
    2. Mood swings
    3. Headaches
    4. Mild amnesia
    5. Nosebleeds
    6. Nasal congestion
    7. Runny eyes
    8. Dry cough
    9. Skin irritations
    10. Sore throat
    11. Wheezing or shortness of breath
    12. Sinusitis

Research supports that those suffering from allergies, pre-existing lung or respiratory conditions, the young and the advanced in age, and those with compromised immune systems are more likely to succumb to health problems as a result of black mold.

      • White mold

White mold is similar to black mold in that it does not refer to a specific type of mold but rather to a broader variety of species in general. It often does take on a white appearance but can also be grey, green, black, or an entirely different hue altogether. As with black mold, white mold requires moisture to grow.

Often mold species are white at the very beginning of their growth stages. As they produce more spores, they may change their hue. The ultimate color of the mold growth is most typically affected by the type of host it has attached itself to.

White mold has a different texture to black mold. While many black molds are fuzzy, white mold is powdery to the touch. It often camouflages itself very well, making itself nearly invisible on the area where it is growing. This makes it far harder for you to detect.

White mold is sometimes mistaken for mildew since it also appears white on the surface. However, mildew is most commonly seen on plants, and it does not wreak the destruction that white mold is capable of. White mold sinks deep within the material it attaches itself to and can cause products such as wood or drywall to rot entirely.

White mold does have the potential to cause you health problems. The most commonly seen symptoms as a result of exposure to white mold include:

      1. Allergies
      2. Respiratory problems
      3. Eye infections
      4. Dizziness
      5. Nausea
      6. Headaches
      7. Mood swings 

How Can I Tell if My Home Has a Mold Problem?

Because it can be very difficult for you to spot all of the areas where mold may be invading your home, it is recommended that you hire a professional to help do a thorough assessment of your property. Mold remediation specialists are trained in the proper techniques for detecting the presence of mold and designing an effective treatment plan to safely remove it from your home.

Here are some tips you can employ to help you discover if you have a toxic mold problem and it may be time to bring in the professionals:

      • Search for patches of mold in areas that are humid and moist
      • Be on the lookout for spots that have a musty smell
      • Consider areas that may have experienced a leak, water damage, or that lack proper ventilation
      • Inspect all potentially old food, papers, and wood piles 

What Do I Do if I Discover Mold in My Home?

If during your inspection you discover a mold infestation, it is critical to your health that you immediately remove it from your home. If the problem is not too far out of control, you may be able to do the cleaning yourself.

Here are some steps you should follow to keep yourself safe during the mold removal process and to prevent mold from reoccurring:

      • Wear a mask, gloves, googles, and rubber boots to protect your skin, eyes, and lungs from mold spores
      • Be certain to keep all windows and doors open for adequate ventilation
      • Dispose of any items affected by mold growth
      • Remove any drywall, carpet, or ceiling tiles that having mold spores on them
      • Scrub surfaces with a strong solution of bleach and allow them to dry thoroughly
      • Inspect the area for signs of water leakage and repair any damage
      • Make use of a dehumidifier
      • Keep your home clean and tidy

Think your home may be plagued by mold? Worried the health problems you are experiencing could be related to toxic mold in your house? Contact Rapid Response Restoration today to have your home evaluated for toxic mold exposure.

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How Chinooks Can Cause Broken Pipes and Flooding

Picture of Calgary

Chinook winds are a phenomenon that largely affects the province of Alberta, Canada, as well as areas found in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Since Chinooks bring with them the potential for great destruction to your home, it’s important to understand what they are and how you can be prepared for them. What is a Chinook and how does it cause broken pipes and flooding?

What is a Chinook?

Chinook winds typically originate off the Pacific Ocean. They rapidly increase in intensity, moving from temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius to 10-20 degrees Celsius in a very abbreviated time span; often as little as a few hours or several days. These vigorous winds rise to warm temperatures quickly before plummeting back to their starting point again. They blow in a western trajectory, primarily targeting the province of Alberta with Lethbridge and Calgary two of the cities that experience the most damage from these winds.

Chinook winds achieve their strength when they reach their maximum warmth and collide with the Rocky Mountains, causing a rapid cooling. When the cooling process begins, it results in precipitation in the form of rain or snow. The air loses its moisture and begins to move downwards towards flatter, more easterly ground. As the wind starts to move toward the west or the southwest, it begins to pick up speed and again increases in temperature, often reaching hurricane force. A previous storm in Lethbridge caused by Chinook winds experienced gale forces of up to 106 miles per hour.

When Chinook winds gather strength and affect a region, they can cause a number of problems for homes. Eavestroughs can become dislodged from houses and soffits can begin to loosen and sag. Chinook winds are sometimes referred to as “snow eaters” because they easily cause up to 12 inches of snow to evaporate in a matter of hours, leaving behind structural damage to homes.

Is There a Specific Chinook Season?

Chinooks are most commonly seen in the winter months. This is due to the large snow cover that is predominant in these regions during the coldest times of the year. Snow typically blankets the Rocky Mountain range in the winter, leading to a rapid cooling of the warm air blowing in from the Pacific Ocean.

The city of Lethbridge is the city that is affected the most, often experiencing as many as 30 to 35 Chinooks per year. However, Calgary is also regularly a victim of the damage caused by Chinooks.

Experts agree that the incidents of Chinook winds seems to be on the incline. This is attributed largely to global warming. 

What are Some of the Most Commonly Seen Effects of Chinooks?

Chinooks leave a lot of damage in their wake. Though most of it is seen in buildings and homes, Chinooks also have a powerful impact on everything from the soil and local agriculture to the health and well being of people living within Chinook regions.

Here are some of the most common problems associated with Chinooks:

  • Dramatic drops in humidity
  • Rapid ice loss in rivers and lakes
  • Sound carrying great distances
  • Soil quality deterioration, and in may cases, loss
  • Tree death
  • Early photosynthesis of vegetation leading to dehydration and loss of plant life
  • Soil moisture depletion
  • Wire fence electrification leading to accidental death of animals
  • Wood splitting
  • Headaches
  • Exacerbated nervous disorders
  • Stroke
  • Increase in fire hazards
  • Greater risk of forest fires
  • Home and property damage 

How Do Chinook Winds Affect My Home?

Rapid shifting of temperatures as a result of Chinook winds leaves many homes in jeopardy. When temperatures reach a point of extreme cold, pipes will begin to freeze. Though Chinook winds carry with them warmth, they typically melt only the surface snow and ice, leaving behind them a vast depth of frost underground. Since this layer of frost reaches approximately 10 feet, it penetrates to the area where most water mains are located, leaving pipes in peril of bursting from extreme cold.

During the winter months, a layer of snow on the ground acts as a form of insulation, providing protection for water mains and household pipes. When Chinook winds cause the snow to vaporize, there is nothing in place to protect pipes from freezing. Experts recommend keeping a slow but steady flow of water moving through their taps to keep their pipes from becoming clogged with ice.

Unfortunately, burst pipes that occur on your property are your financial responsibility. However, the province of Alberta has instituted a program that benefits homeowners that take advantage of their frozen pipes initiative by maintaining a continuous flow of water through their taps. This program provides financial relief from excessively high water bills as a result of the additional water usage.

In addition to frozen and possibly burst pipes, Chinook winds can also be responsible for flooding. When the warm Chinook air combines with snow, it causes a rapid melting. This excess water needs a place to go, and sometimes, the runoff finds its way inside a home’s foundation, causing flooding of basements and other living spaces.

Homes which have a lot of additional snow piled on their rooftops may also experience leaking when Chinook winds cause an accelerated thaw. This rapid running of water off the sides of roofs can cause external features such as eavestroughs and soffits to become loose.

How Can I Prevent My House’s Pipes from Freezing?

The process of water moving from a liquid to a solid involves an expansion of approximately 9 percent. When pipes freeze, this expansion occurs quickly and with great force involved, causing the metal to fracture. Though some pipes burst as soon as the water turns to ice, this process often takes place when the pressure exerted against the pipe meets a weak point, causing a rupture.

Thankfully, there are some measures you can put in place to keep your pipes from freezing during the cold winter months, and particularly, when Chinook winds affect your area. These include:

  • Be on the lookout for slow running faucets

At the first sign of a water flow that is slower than usual, it may be that your pipes are beginning the process of freezing. It is still possible to reverse this process if caught early enough.

  • Increase the heat in your home

Warming the temperature inside your house can help keep water in your pipes from succumbing to freezing.

  • Make use of fans to distribute heat through unused rooms

Rooms in your home that are regularly closed off or not in use may become too cold. You can put fans in these areas to help heat to move through the rooms to increase their temperature.

  • Keep doors to vanities and cabinets open to allow warm air to reach pipes

Doors are an obstacle to maximum heat flow. To help your pipes maintain a good temperature, keep vanity and cabinet doors open to allow heat to permeate the region.

  • Disconnect garden hoses

Outdoor faucets can and will burst if allowed to remain connected to a garden hose during the cold months.

  • Close your garage door

A lot of excess heat can be released from an open garage door. Keep it closed to provide an extra measure of heat insulation.

  • Allow water to run at a slow but steady pace on a continuous basis

Keeping water moving is a critical element of preventing frozen pipes. 

  • Heat the affected pipe

If it is evident that the freezing process has begun, it is a good idea to safely heat the pipe to allow the water to reliquify itself.

  • Consider an electric heat cable

Electric heat cable gives an extra layer of protection to keep pipes safe during bitterly cold weather. These are controlled by a thermostat that distributes heat only when needed. The one down side to installing an electric heat cable is its high cost.

Live in an area regularly affected by Chinook winds? Consider some of our top tips to keep your house in tip top shape all year round.

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Staff Gratitude

Rapid Response Restoration was fortunate to have a young man apply to our company for summer employment. It was with reservation that we hire a young man for the summer, but we were pleasantly surprised and yes, it renewed our faith in the youth of today.

He was a pleasure to have in our company and his hard work and dedication to our company surpassed all our expectations.

It was refreshing to our staff to have Stephen around for the summer.

We wish Stephen all the best in his future endeavors and would welcome him back anytime.

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The Cold Weather Is Coming, Are You Prepared?

If you live in an apartment/condo with radiant heating here are a few tips to help prevent the pipes from freezing.

  1. Close the windows.  This seems fairly easy, however, we all know that one person who likes the fresh air in order to sleep or a breeze blowing no matter how cold it is outside.  When cold air enters a unit via an open window it collides with the warm/ambient air and drops suddenly to the floor. Often times this is where a radiant heat line is located and with enough exposure to the cold pipes can freeze and burst. Depending on the temperature of the cold air this can happen in a matter of minutes.
  2. Furniture placement. When coordinating the placement of your furniture you should avoid placing items against the radiant heat lines.  The heater covers are designed for proper air flow and misplaced furniture can obstruct this allowing the stagnant, cold air to rupture the line.
  3. The heat is on.  Keeping the heat at a reasonable temperature inside the unit will help to ensure that the radiant heat lines run smoothly.
  4. Keep an eye out.  If you are planning a weekend getaway have someone you trust complete an inspection to ensure no pinhole leaks have developed. If unattended these small issues can turn into larger problems quickly!  If a flood occurs in an apartment/condo it does not take long for the water to start traveling down into other units or spaces. Being diligent on checking for water leaks we will help minimize the damage.

While taking precautions can help sometimes pipes can still burst. Should you find yourself in need of Property Restoration please give Rapid Response Restoration a call at 403-295-4693.  Our certified Technicians and team members are on call 24/7 to help.

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Soot and Puff Backs

Soot by definition is a result of incomplete combustion.

In the industry of restoration why is this important. Restoration companies need to know what the cause of the soot was. Is it a result of materials originating from carbon, electrical, plastic or protein.

Each of which will have some common remediation strategies but with some very different techniques.

Carbon based soot: a restorer can typically wash and deodorize with maximum results depending on the materials affected and the distance away from the initial source.

Electrical fires tend to be very odorous and require cleaning in conjunction with deodorization.

Plastic leave an oily residue since they originate from petroleum. This soot smears when not removed correctly with proper cleaning and remediation techniques.

Protein based soot tends to give a restorer the most difficultly because of the color of the soot (greyish – similar to regular house hold dust).Another challenge with protein is oil transfers in the soot and can be very greasy in nature and odorous. When remediating a loss of this nature chemicals based with degreaser and deodorizers are the product of choice for the restorer. In most cases a soot of this nature requires sealing and painting of walls and ceilings depending of the proximity to the source.

A restorer has many considerations when dealing with the oil from fires resulting in soot:

What was the source(s)

What is the distance from the source.

What materials have been affected? (porous or non-porous)

What chemicals if any are needed to be used.

What environmental controls to use? (AFD- Air Filtration Device, Ozone, Hydroxyl generators, thermo fogging, fresh air from the outside, etc.)

One major consideration is air quality. Air surrounds everything and needs to be addressed. Air exchanges, deodorization, air scrubbing using HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) rated air scrubbers can remove soot particulate from the air as well as odor when used in conjunction with charcoal filters. Cleaning of ventilation systems if unit was in operation during the event.

Please refer to an expert when soot residues are to be removed as secondary damage can easily occur if not restored professionally.

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