Gravenhurst Plumbing, Heating & Electric

Keep Humidity Levels in Your Home Down to Reduce the Risk of Mould

Mould is a type of fungus that comes in a variety of colours and can grow in damp areas inside your home. Mould grows where there is too much humidity from water leaks, cooking, showering, flooding, etc. It can grow on wood, paper, fabrics, drywall, insulation, inside walls or above ceiling tiles. When mould finds a damp place to grow, it can contribute to poor indoor air quality.

What Are the Health Effects?

People living in homes with mould and damp conditions are more likely to experience:

• Eye, nose and throat irritation
• Coughing and mucous build-up
• Wheezing and shortness of breath
• Worsening of asthma symptoms
• Other allergic reactions

How do I Know if I Have a Problem?

• Not all mould is obvious to detect, so it is important to check for the presence of mould anywhere that is damp, especially where water damage has occurred.
• Inspect your home for visible signs of mould or areas with excessive moisture. Look for stains or discolouration on floors, walls, window panes, fabrics and carpets or a musty “earthy” odour. If necessary, contact an expert for help.

What Can I Do?

• Prevent mould from growing by making sure you:
  • Check for wet spots in your house, such as damp basements, leaking sinks, cold closets on exterior walls, etc.
  • Repair any water leaks as soon as you notice them; clean up immediately after any flood.
  • Use the exhaust fans when cooking or showering and check that your clothes dryer and range hood vent to the outdoors.
  • Seal your tubs and sinks tightly.
  • Throw out basement clutter.
  • Measure humidity and keep it low, about 50% in summer and 30% in colder weather. If necessary, use a dehumidifier.
• If you discover mould:
  • If the contaminated surface is small: clean the mould by yourself, by using water and dish detergent. There’s no need to use bleach.
  • If the affected area is large: take precautions to protect your health. In such a case, consider hiring a professional to clean it up.
  • Fix the underlying cause, whether due to water damage or excessive humidity.

INSTALL A HEAT RECOVERY VENTILATION SYSTEM

Test Your Home for Radon

Radon is a gas that is produced naturally by the breakdown of uranium in the ground and can get into your home undetected. You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it. In confined spaces like a house, radon can build up to high levels and over time become a health risk.

Almost every home in Canada has some radon, but concentrations vary from one house to another, even if they are next door to each other. The amount of radon in your home will depend on factors like the amount of uranium in the ground, the pathways available into your home (such as cracks in the foundation, crawl spaces and sump holes) as well as how your home is ventilated.

What Are The Health Effects?

Radon exposure increases your risk of developing lung cancer. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.

The risk of cancer depends on the level of radon in your house, how long you are exposed and whether you smoke. Exposure to radon and tobacco use together can significantly increase your risk of lung cancer.

How Do I Know if I Have a Problem?

The ONLY way to know if you have a radon problem is to test your home. It is simple and inexpensive. Health Canada recommends using a long-term test device for a minimum of three months. The best time to test is between September and April when your windows are mostly closed.

Radon test devices are available from some home improvement retailers or can be ordered by phone or over the Internet. Radon testing can also be performed by a trained service provider.

What Can I Do?

If the radon level in your home is above the Canadian guideline of 200 becquerels/metre³, you need to fix it. The higher the radon level in your home, the sooner it needs to be fixed.

If your home tests above the guideline, here are some ways to reduce the level of radon:

• Increase the ventilation to allow an exchange of air.
• Seal all cracks and openings in foundation walls and floors, and around pipes and drains.
• Renovate existing basement floors, particularly earth floors.

Test Your Home for Radon

Radon is a gas that is produced naturally by the breakdown of uranium in the ground and can get into your home undetected. You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it. In confined spaces like a house, radon can build up to high levels and over time become a health risk.

Almost every home in Canada has some radon, but concentrations vary from one house to another, even if they are next door to each other. The amount of radon in your home will depend on factors like the amount of uranium in the ground, the pathways available into your home (such as cracks in the foundation, crawl spaces and sump holes) as well as how your home is ventilated.

What Are The Health Effects?

Radon exposure increases your risk of developing lung cancer. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.

The risk of cancer depends on the level of radon in your house, how long you are exposed and whether you smoke. Exposure to radon and tobacco use together can significantly increase your risk of lung cancer.

How Do I Know if I Have a Problem?

The ONLY way to know if you have a radon problem is to test your home. It is simple and inexpensive. Health Canada recommends using a long-term test device for a minimum of three months. The best time to test is between September and April when your windows are mostly closed.

Radon test devices are available from some home improvement retailers or can be ordered by phone or over the Internet. Radon testing can also be performed by a trained service provider.

What Can I Do?

If the radon level in your home is above the Canadian guideline of 200 becquerels/metre³, you need to fix it. The higher the radon level in your home, the sooner it needs to be fixed.

If your home tests above the guideline, here are some ways to reduce the level of radon:

• Increase the ventilation to allow an exchange of air.
• Seal all cracks and openings in foundation walls and floors, and around pipes and drains.
• Renovate existing basement floors, particularly earth floors.

INSTALL A HEAT RECOVERY VENTILATION SYSTEM