Is mould lurking in your home?
By Michelle Warren • Bankrate.com

Most people like to think of their homes as relatively clean, so the idea of living in a mouldy house is met with an element of disgust. But the truth is mould spores are in the air we breathe both indoors and out, and our homes are breeding grounds for the little fungi. Studies show there are more than 270 species of mould living in Canadian houses.

"Every house has mould in it, it's just the degree," says John Lindsay, project manager for Reitzel Bros. Environmental, an abatement and remediation company based in Breslau, Ont.

While the thought of mould creeping along our walls or flourishing behind the fridge strikes fear in the hearts of most homeowners, it's important to put things in perspective: A little bit of mould on the window sill isn't going to kill you (as long as you clean it up).

Mould has been around since the beginning of time, and people have always lived with a degree of mould. It's a natural substance that requires moisture, appropriate temperature and an organic food source to grow. It's only with advances in detection devices that people have become more aware of living with the fungi, which has given rise to serious health concerns and a call for remediation.

Despite the war cry against the fuzzy invader, Glenn Wilkinson, general manager at Paul Davis Systems Restoration Specialists in Kitchener, Ont., offers some comfort to those concerned about housing serious mould problems: "It's not as common as people think --maybe 10 percent to 15 percent might have it."

When is mould a health concern?
"People who are affected by it are often the very young or the very old because their immune systems are more compromised," says Lindsay. Pregnant woman and people with respiratory issues are also of concern. In addition to susceptibility, it's important to assess the level of mould exposure -- a significant amount over a length of time is of concern -- and the type of mould. The most common effects are allergy-like symptoms, but infection and irritation also occur.

"Mould spores are the health hazard," says Wilkinson. "It's when it gets into the air that it becomes a concern for your health."

Is your home at risk?
In addition to health concerns, mould damages building materials and causes them to rot, thereby raising structural issues. Older homes with stone or rubble foundations, as well as poor ventilation and leaks, are especially prone to problems. However, newer homes are not exempt.