mold

What Is The White Powdery Substance On My Basement Wall?

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White powder basment wallIn a word, it’s called efflorescence. When people see it on their basement walls, they often refer to it as the white powdery stuff, white mold, or white mildew.

The white stuff you have on your basement walls, officially called efflorescence, is actually a deposit left behind by water. You may have noticed it on the outside of your house walls too (hopefully below the damp course, that is). The stuff is normally harmless, although you’re still advised to wear hand and face protection when you brush it off, just in case.

The big question is “why is there water there in the first place?” Walls are supposed to be dry. Having damp walls is a bad idea because the moisture could eventually cause the structure to begin to break down.

To answer the question we need to take a trip underground to the dynamic, natural world. Water – the source of life they say – is constantly on the move filtering through the earth and stone. As it travels, it picks up natural minerals and salts that it transports along and finally deposits someplace else. It’s almost as if sand and stone were made for the job!

Our homes certainly are. They are built from natural materials in the form of sand, cement and stone. Water passes naturally though these too, which is why we go to the trouble of baking bricks and painting outside walls with expensive waterproofing paint. We also add damp courses, roofs, gutters, downpipes and overhangs like eaves.

efflorescence-concrete-basement-wall-toronto

We do everything “upstairs” to keep the water away from our walls. Down in the basement it’s often a different story. When it rains the earth around the foundation becomes saturated. Many basements we’ve encountered are little better than “leaky buckets” rammed into the ground.

In a sense, efflorescence on an inside basement wall is like a friendly sentry-guard. It’s telling us that moisture is penetrating through our basement walls and leaving its customary calling-card behind. It’s likely to be historic evidence left behind as the moisture evaporated, which is why it’s normally more evident in dryer summer months.

This makes it the friend of home buyers too, especially when viewing the basement of a home in summer that’s subject to intrusive damp during winter time. The seller can try their hardest to brush it off, but there’ll always be a stain when you know where to look for it.

This is the biggest single reason to track down the cause of efflorescence if you have it in your basement, and to get rid of it before it starts working down the value of your home. It’s a sign that moisture is making it’s way inside your basement, and with that dampness often comes mold.

Not sure if you have efflorescence or not on your basement wall?  Contact us here for a free in-home inspection of your basement.

 

 

How Do I Remove Mildew Odours From My Basement?

Mold and mildew removal in Toronto homeNobody likes walking down into their basement and smelling that damp, mildew odour.  It makes it feel like you’re walking into a dungeon.  Your basement doesn’t have to be like that, read on.

There are two stages to effectively removing mildew odours. The first is to remove the mildew that causes the unpleasant smell.  Mildew is actually another term used to describe fungi growth.  In other words, it’s mold. The second is to remove the cause of it, which is down to getting rid of the conditions in which it thrives. But first let’s deal with the smell.

A Word of Warning

If you have a sensitive stomach, chronic bronchial infection or the mold growth is extensive, you may want to consider a mold removal company to deal with it.  If you do decide to go ahead, wear a full set of clothing and don a face mask and a set of rubber gloves before you start. Remember to read the instructions on all cleaning materials too.

Remove the Mildew

The general idea is to remove as much as possible and kill the rest.

  • Fill a bucket with tepid water and add a cup of vinegar or borax. You can experiment with combinations, but no more than one cup in total please. Soak a cloth in the mixture and wring it out just enough to prevent drips.

 

  • Work from the ceiling down (the job is messy), and remember to rinse your cloth regularly in a second bucket of tepid water. There’s no point in moving mildew around so wring it out thoroughly each time before soaking it in the mixture again.

 

  • As you go along get rid of all soft furnishings including curtains, upholstery and carpets. Forget about cleaning them. They are permanently stained and will haunt you with their smell if you try to keep them.

 

  • Hire a few commercial-grade oscillating fans and leave them running until everything is bone dry. Smell the difference. Unfortunately the job is not done yet because the next generation of mildew is waiting to take up residence.

Prevent a Recurrence

Mold and mildew occur naturally in warm climates with high humidity. Your first step is to buy a decent dehumidifier and get the ambient moisture level down. While that’s happening cast an eye around for any water intrusion. This could be from a dripping tap, or from groundwater that follows cracks in the walls and floor.

Use the grid method to make sure you don’t miss the slightest water stain. Start with the ceiling, then the upper walls, then the middle walls and so on. Be mindful of the season. Basements seldom leak in summer, but the evidence is there all year round.

Assuming there are no leaks, you can complete the job by installing bright lighting (mildew hates this) and redecorating all painted surfaces with mildew-resistant paint. Do not waste your time doing this if you suspect a groundwater leak – even if this is dry at the current moment. The chronic water leak will just cause the mildew smell (and mold) to return.

If you have questions about removing mold from your basement or repairing a basement water leak, feel free to contact us here.  If you’re located in the Greater Toronto Area, we can arraign a free, in-home inspection.

Roofing Problems Can Lead To Mold And Water Damage In Your Home

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Did you know that problems with your roof can lead to water damage in your basement?  Not only that, it can also lead to water and mold damage throughout your attic as well as the rest of your home if left untreated.

When it comes to water leaks in the basement, often times it’s the result of a damaged eaves troughs or improper/inadequate water channeling away from the home.  Poor ventilation, improper attic temperatures/insulation and damaged shingles can also lead to the development of mold and water damage in the attic.

Below is an infographic that outlines 5 common roofing problems that if left untreated, can lead to water and mold problems throughout your home.

 

roofing-problems-toronto

Have questions about water leaks or mold damage in your Toronto home?  Feel free to contact us, we’re happy to answer any questions you may have.

How Ice Dams Can Lead To Poor Attic Ventilation and Mold

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Ice damming on Toronto roofDo you have a giant sheet of ice on your roof waiting to wreck havoc on your home?  The last few Winters here in Toronto have been a mix of warm days and freezing days, the perfect storm for ice dam formation.  Ice dams can not only damage the outside of your house, they do a lot of damage inside as well.

When snow falls on rocks and trees it comes in contact with something perhaps even a little colder and does not melt. It builds up until a combination of gravity and weight causes it to slip loose, and fall harmlessly to the ground. If on the other hand it falls on something warmer then it melts, and either dams (freezes again before it drips off) or runs off as water depending on the gradient.

How Do Ice Dams Form?

Here in Toronto, we go to great expense to warm their homes in Winter and that’s perfectly understandable. Unfortunately heat rises and despite best efforts at ceiling insulation some heat is inevitably transferred to the attic. This can be a result of inadequate insulation, or gaps caused by pipes and trapdoors. With the best will in the world, nature will always have a way, meaning that your attic will inevitably be a little warmer than the winter air outside.

This temperature difference causes the snow to gradually melt and travel down the roof. When it reaches the eaves that are at ambient temperature it freezes again, and gradually forms into a ridge. Above, the snow keeps on melting and adding to the pile of ice. As this grows in size the melt water becomes a dam pooling on the roof. Ice dams are a roofer’s worst nightmare come true.

This is because roof coverings work on the assumption that water will run off before it has time to seek out crevices and work it’s way under the shingles. This problem is surprisingly common on most roof surfaces except corrugated sheet metal. It’s worst of all on flat roofs and shingles.

Ice dam on home in Scarborough

Referred Problems

Ice damming on roofs inevitably finds its way into the roof space below. There, it drips quietly onto insulation and accumulates on ceilings. If the leak is serious this can lead to minor flooding and damage to ceilings, carpets and upholstery. If the problem is minor then the attic becomes dank and starts smelling of mold.

The mold spores find their way past cracks through which the heat transfer happens. As they do so, they find themselves in an almost perfect habitat where they can procreate to their hearts content.

Tackling to Root Cause of Ice Dams

Ice dams exist because of differences between ambient and attic temperatures. Your wisest first point of call is to inspect your attic insulation because it’s pointless generating heat to melt the snow above and cause these problems. You may require expert advice because the problem’s probably lurking in an almost inaccessible place.

Your second line of defense is to improve ventilation through your roof so you constantly exchange the warmer air for cold. Point being, keep the attic as cold as the air outside. This can be effective in the case of steep roofs with gable ends. If you have a badly pitched roof covered with tiles or shingles you could be up for expensive alterations.

Have questions about ventilation and air quality inside your home?  We’re happy to answer and questions, you can contact us here.

What Should My Basement Humidity Level Be?

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Ideal Humidity in Toronto basementDoes your basement feel like a jungle in Central America during the Winter?  Maybe it’s time to check the humidity levels in your basement.

Humidity refers to the amount of moisture in the air. When air has absorbed all the moisture that it can, we say that humidity is at 100%. When the humidity level is at say half of that, it is defined as being at 50%. In other words, measures of humidity are relative, which is why we speak of RH, or relative humidity.

The Effect of Seasons

Everything expands as it gets warmer, and that applies to the air itself. As a consequence, it absorbs more moisture when the ambient temperature’s warmer. This is why us homeowners in Toronto are plagued by humidity when the heating’s turned up in their basements – especially in winter when the windows and doors are tightly closed.

You can track humidity by purchasing a mechanical or electronic hygrometer that records the RH, although you do need to allow the instrument to settle for twelve hours first. Note that the same absolute moisture-level will produce a different relative reading at different ambient temperatures.

The Human Factor

What we described so far is theoretical. Humans have a habit of changing their environment everywhere we go (and that includes our homes). Air pollution and global warming are extreme examples. It may come as a shock to know that even breathing affects the relative humidity in your home.

Most everything we do in our home involves the use of energy. Energy that is released warms the air. Warm air absorbs more moisture. Up goes the humidity level. It’s as simple as that. But we don’t stop there, do we? We release moisture into the air every time we bath or shower, wash dishes or do the laundry.

The Right Humidity

Our bodies require a level of humidity for health. When it’s too high we may develop respiratory problems because of mould spores drifting through the air. By contrast, if the RH is too low we get scratchy throats and noses, and chapped skin and lips. These are Mother Nature’s natural hygrometers we need to listen too.

After you’ve purchased a mechanical or electronic hygrometer, you can assess humidity more accurately, although do remember that hygrometer readings are relative to ambient temperatures. When your home is nice and snug in winter, it should range between 30 and 50 percent. However when the outside temperature drops to -10c / 14F, you should aim for 30.

When Humidity’s Too High

You can use humidifiers and dehumidifiers to control relative humidity selectively. However you can also influence things by venting clothes-driers, opening doors and windows daily, and taking cooler showers and baths. As you bring your humidity levels down you’ll also have less mould. And that should make your family healthier, happier and more relaxed.

 

photo credit: Flckr