A common problem encountered during a renovation or home improvement project is the issue of mold. The question most homeowners and people in the market to buy a new home have is how to identify a mold or moisture issue, and how to deal with it.
Let’s first address the question of what is mold? Mold is a type of fungus which requires the existence of several factors in order to appear and propagate. The first is a source of moisture (this is why the presence of mold is a good indication of an underlying moisture or water infiltration problem). The second condition that must exist for mold to survive is the presence of a food source, notably organic carbon-based materials, such as wood studs, the cardboard backing of drywall, sawdust, some types of insulation, leather, wallpaper, carpet, etc. Thirdly, for most molds that are a problem in homes and businesses, there must be a certain degree of warmth.
In order to propagate, molds emit spores, which are microscopic particles, into the air. For these spores to grow, they require the presence of the conditions mentioned above. In most cases, it is the spores emitted by the mold, rather than the mold itself, which present a health hazard to humans living in spaces where mold growth is a problem. Nevertheless, touching mold can also be a health hazard, especially to people predisposed to health problems, and handling mold should always be done using the personal protection safety features described below, or better still, by a mold remediation specialist when in doubt.
Molds are common everywhere, and are in fact an inextricable and valuable part of the ecosystem. In every breath we breathe, there are mold spores to a greater or lesser degree. In fact, there are more than 150 types of mold that can grow in your home! They come in all colors and appearances. The dangers presented by molds are directly proportional to the quantities of mold and concentration of the mold spores; the type, duration and frequency of exposure; and the living conditions in which you are exposed to mold and mold spores. Close, unventilated or poorly ventilated, humid spaces are ideal for mold growth and propagation, and humans living in these spaces are more prone to the negative health affects caused by mold in these areas. However, even spaces adjacent or removed from the mold infected areas can present health hazards via ventilation systems, or natural air currents, which bring the human occupants into contact with particles of the mold or mold spores.
The presence of most types of mold can readily be detected by sight or smell. Signatures of the presence of mold are dark stains, or discolorations, splotchy patches of black, brown or other color substance on surfaces, and a musty, earthy smell, some liken to wet mushrooms. For the typical homeowner or renovator however, correctly identifying the type of mold present is not possible. Many molds present the same appearance on visual inspection, but differ radically under the microscope and as to their various toxinogenic properties. The only way to correctly identify the type of mold you have is to have a mold remediation specialist take samples from your home and analyze the results in the laboratory. Alternatively, adhering to the personal protection safety procedures below, you can purchase mold testing kits, take samples and send them to a laboratory to have them tested. However, in most cases, and when the mold problem is relatively confined to a small area (typically under 10 square feet), the question isn’t what type of mold it is (though some molds are more toxic than others, and if the problem is widespread, by all means spend the money to have a professional mold remediation company do the work). The question really is how to get rid of it and the underlying causes that promote mold growth.
All molds should be treated with the same respect, and appropriate precautions taken for their removal. The good news is that most mold problems can be dealt with directly by the homeowner of renovation specialist, with little effort and some easily available and low-cost equipment. As indicated previously however, if the mold problem is widespread, or the homeowner or renovator are allergy-prone or immuno-suppressed, or otherwise fragile health-wise, it is advisable to contact your local mold removal specialist and let them deal with the problem.
Removing mold can be as simple as washing the surface down with a mixture of water and household detergent (Health Canada recommends dish detergent). Bleach is typically not necessary, nor is it any longer the recommended form of remediation by the homeowner. Dry the area thoroughly and repeat in 24 hours or so if required (always better to check the area again after it has dried and if in doubt, repeat procedure). Always wear a hat, non-porous gloves, non-slip shoes or work boots, a high-quality facemask, protective eyewear and a long sleeved shirt and long pants when removing mold. Do not reuse but dispose of the rags that you used to clean the mold.
Again, if you are unsure about the safety measures to be taken, or feel uneasy about the possibility of coming in contact with a more toxic form of mold, call a specialist, or you can also purchase a mold sample and testing kit and send the samples to be tested in a laboratory before deciding to do the mold removal your self.
Mold needs water and moisture to survive. So just as important as removing the mold is correcting the underlying water and moisture issues that are the cause of the mold. Below is a list of some of the things you should do to avoid having mold and mold related problems in your home:
· Check for leaks and water infiltration around windows, doors and in the basement, at the junction of the sill plate and foundation wall, at the base of the foundation wall, in the ceilings under the roof and bathrooms, and repair them.
· Do an air sealing review of your home and air seal all air entry points (see my upcoming blog on air sealing coming soon).
· Repair any leaky pipes or drains.
· Remove clutter and unnecessary sources of humidity and moisture retention like paper and cardboard boxes (replace these with the relatively cheap plastic storage boxes available in most hardware and materials supply stores).
· Install and use exhaust fans in your kitchen, laundry room and bathrooms (note for the laundry room, make sure you have enough make up air for your dryer to function normally and safely when exhausting air from the laundry room).
· Do not use rubber backed or foam-backed floor mats in the bathroom or in the laundry room, as these can keep wet for long periods of time and hold moisture against the floor almost indefinitely – opt instead for 100% cotton bathroom floor mats that can be washed regularly at home. Do not leave bathroom floor mats on the floor, but hang to dry after showering or bathing.
· Properly vent your dryer to the outside, and leave the door of your washing machine open during uses to dry out.
· Occasionally open windows and doors to ventilate your home or office (when the air and relative humidity outside are dry, otherwise you may be letting in more humidity and moisture rather than evacuating it!)
· Check often for proper sealing around your tub, in the shower, and around sinks to avoid moisture getting inside walls, and replace caulking when discolored, dry or peeling.
· Mop up water spills and dry out affected materials and surfaces immediately and thoroughly.
· Generally, regularly clean and maintain your home to avoid the build up of dust and to facilitate the detection of moisture related problems such as mold!
Visit us at www.contractormontreal.com to find out how we can assist you in all your renovation and construction needs.
New ideas for kitchen and bathroom countertops
March 18, 2010
Considering installing new countertops to refresh your old kitchen? Planning a new kitchen or bathroom and can’t decide between the multitude of options for the countertops? Capricon has done the research for you, so read on to share in the results of an experienced kitchen and bathroom contractor.
NATURAL OR MAN-MADE?
In today’s global market and with advances in materials science and technology, the first choice a homeowner, renovator or designer comes up against is between natural and man-made countertop materials.
Natural materials include various stone countertops like marble and granite, as well as woods of all types. The luxury and durability of a stone countertop, or the warm feel of a wood countertop can often be worth the premium price these options carry. However, there are disadvantages from a uniformity and maintenance standpoint. Take natural stone for example: when you, or your design professional chooses a color or pattern from a sample of the stone shown by the distributor, it is important to know that the actual slab that your countertop will be cut from can differ significantly from one order to the next, to the degree that, if uniformity and overall design coherence are an important factor to you, natural stone may not be the way to go. Additionally, as with all natural products, nothing is perfect: so expect defects both in natural stone and wood products ranging from rust, to pitting in stone and knots and structural instability in wood. As well, natural materials will react differently, and sometimes unpredictably, to changes in heat, cold, and humidity, so these factors are important to consider when designing your kitchen or bathroom.
As for maintenance, a countertop made from natural wood will need periodic applications either of a food grade oil, stain or sealant and will be prone to discoloration and staining over its lifetime. Even stone countertops are not immune from staining, and everyday foodstuffs like cooking oils, citrus fruit and other high acidity items can cause permanent discoloration of natural stone countertops. Also, with wood countertops for example, placing hot cooking utensils on the surface can cause burn marks and other unsightly blemishes; worse still, high heat can crack a natural stone surface.
Some natural products are, naturally, better than others, either for durability and strength, or simply from a “green” perspective. So when choosing materials for bathroom or kitchen countertops, choose granite over marble, and hard wood, like maple or bamboo, which is also an environmentally sound option, over softwoods. Choose materials that require little or minimal maintenance over their lifetime. Choose materials that are adapted to the use you have planned for them. A marble countertop may not be strong enough to support that double cast-iron under mount sink, or that oak vanity top may not hold up to the abuse a family bathroom can deliver. For the environmentally conscious (and who can afford not to be these days), choose a natural stone or wood that can be extracted locally from the environment, that is not under environmental pressures such as unethical mining or forestry practices, and that is cut, and transformed near to your project. This can mean that that Brazilian jatoba, or the Italian marble you chose are likely to increase the carbon footprint of your renovation project, and that maybe you should consider the granite quarried in the local hills, or buying the wood countertop from a local artisan who made it using recycled wood planks. Lastly, why not consider also the recyclability and reusability of the product you are choosing for your countertops, once you have grow tired of them and are ready to renovate again!
MAN-MADE MATERIALS
Contrary to natural products used for countertops, man-made products come in endless materials, colors, and finishes and can be sourced from a number of local producers and suppliers. Many man-made products are produced by artisans and in an environmentally conscious fashion. Not to mention that a countertop can be made from almost any material that has the appropriate qualities of structural strength, durability, maintainability and sanitary considerations, for the use and lifespan it is intended for.
Common new man-made materials that are gaining popularity are the so-called reconstituted stone countertops, or engineered stone, and the poured concrete countertops. Artificial stone countertops made from stone chips (often quartz) and remolded into slabs with a resin additive which can then be treated with a variety of product enhancing substances such as pigmentation, antibacterial and antistaining agents, or durable factory applied finishes. These artificial slabs can come in virtually any color, are nonporous, uniformly sound structurally and can be guaranteed by the companies producing them for long periods of time (unlike natural products, which are unlikely to be guaranteed from hidden defects, or things like staining and pitting). Another advantage is that, as the stone is a production item, install times can be predicted fairly accurately, so you don’t have to wait for a particular stone to be quarried, cut and delivered before you know when you can have it installed. How many homeowners and renovators have been held up waiting to use their almost finished kitchen because the granite they ordered is still a part of the continental crust somewhere!
Another popular choice is the concrete countertop. Concrete is a very flexible material which can be poured to literally any length, size or shape imaginable and can also be colored, etched with acid to provide a texture, smoothed and polished to a high sheen, sealed and protected against discoloration, bacteria and water. Its flexibility also offers advantages like integrated sinks, drainboards, cutting boards, as well as offering the unique advantage of being able to integrate anything you want as decoration such as mosaics made from recycled or salvaged materials, your high school track medals or a commemorative plaque. They can be pre-cast or cast on site. Being manufactured from basic materials available practically anywhere in the world, these countertops are considerably greener than some of their natural counterparts. Not to mention that concrete is virtually indestructible when used in a kitchen or bathroom so they do not need repair or replacement, and can be fairly easily recycled at the end of its useful life. However as the popular use of concrete by homeowners for countertops is relatively recent, it can be difficult to source locally, and often bears a fairly hefty price tag, as the manufacture and install process is quite labor intensive. Weight can also be an issue, and it is important that the cabinets be designed to adequately support the concrete countertops, and its prohibitive weight can also be a deterrent for do-it-yourselfers. You don’t want to be responsible for your brother-in-laws slipped disk, so make sure you have these countertops installed by a professional.
As for other man-made materials, the sky is the limit! Depending on their intended use, countertops can be made from a variety of sheet metal materials, plastics, old doors, recycled tiles, heck, even a surf board can be made into a countertop for that scuba rental office you were thinking about opening down south! Use your imagination, consult with local artisans and businesses, talk to design and construction professionals and keep your eyes open on that Saturday drive through the neighborhood. Who knows, you may come upon a novel new idea for a countertop, showcased in your new kitchen, bathroom, workshop or store.
Visit us at www.contractormontreal.com to find out how we can assist you in all your renovation and construction needs.
Environmentally sound solutions for home renovation and new construction
February 24, 2010
Everyone’s doing it and you don’t want to be left behind, or worse, look bad in front of the Joneses, because you renovated your home and didn’t consider the environment when you were planning and executing your home renovation or home remodeling project. Well don’t despair, you don’t have to be LEED certified to make some sensible decisions about renovating or adding an addition to your home. Using common sense and some practices you probably already implement in your daily routine are all that it takes to be “green” about your project plans.
THE THREE R’S
We are all familiar with the three R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle. But how do you apply this to your home renovation project? First, follow the rule: “a dollar spent in planning is two dollars saved in building”, as well as a boost for the environmental friendliness of your project. When planning a new addition, or remodeling or renovating an existing part of your home, consider your real needs and try to be realistic. Do I really need three extra bedrooms or a kitchen sized for a banquet at the UN? Remember that reducing the square footage of your new construction project or renovated area, and maximizing the layout both vertical and horizontal with a design or construction professional will save you money during the renovation and construction process, as well as long term costs such as cleaning, heating and cooling, and maintenance. Reducing the footprint of your new addition also reduces your carbon footprint, so it’s an easy way to go green with your home renovation project!
Now that you’ve decided on a more efficient design for your renovation project, it’s time to think about what goes into it…as well as what gets thrown away. Before throwing out that old cast iron bathtub, consider that what was old is now new and what is new will be yesterday’s trend soon. Reusing old but still serviceable bathroom and kitchen fixtures, replacing kitchen cupboard doors, but reusing the existing cabinet structure, or simply adding a fresh coat of paint to a tired vanity, can be an outstanding feature of your newly renovated space, adding a link to the history of the home you are remodeling as well as a personal touch and link to your own history. Not to mention that reusing things already found in your home reduces costs, waste material, energy consumption, and further reduces the carbon footprint of your renovation project. So before giving away the sometimes-priceless treasures found within your home to your contractor (think Antiques Roadshow here), consider reusing them in your new addition or renovated space.
If there is nothing worth keeping, or you simply want a total change, consider first buying recycled products from someone else’s construction or renovation project, estate sale or second hand store. As well, many suppliers and distributors will have items that have been returned by clients for various reasons and with minor servicing these items can be a cheap and environmentally friendly way of greening your construction project. Not to mention that for the savvy buyer today, there are countless environmentally friendly fixtures, finishes and building materials available that are made from reused and recycled materials. As they say, one man’s (or woman’s) junk is another’s treasure!
And then, when all else has been considered, recycle. Recycling is a practice most communities have integrated into their daily routines already, and we are all familiar with it to some extent both at work, and at home in our kitchens, offices and gardens. Extending these practices to your renovation or new construction project can be as easy as making it a requirement that your contractor use a waste recycling system available in all larger urban centers and apply it to all phases of your project. Basically, this involves separating the by-products of the construction or renovation process into categories such as wood and paper materials, steel and metals, hazardous waste, as well as household items and building materials that can still be used such as washers, dryers, stoves, doors, bricks, wood beams and joists, moldings etc. Consider also hiring a recycling contractor to assist the general contractor at the end of the job to haul away the material and ensure that it gets recycled. And for those with an entrepreneurial spirit and some time on your hands, consider finding a buyer for some of those reusable materials. Though usually not very profitable, you can “green” your project and make some extra “green”backs at the same time!
Visit us at www.contractormontreal.com to find out how we can assist you in all your renovation and construction needs.
Montreal contractor
November 5, 2009
Capricon Construction is a Montreal contractor focused on delivering quality, budget and environmentally conscious projects, with a flair for style.
Please look in here in the near future for tips and information concerning renovating, improving and maintaining your home or business. Don’t start your Montreal renovation project without first visiting our blog!
Regards
Damian Haber
President
