About Your Apartment

about your apartment

AE 7 The Tenant’s Guide to Mold

This About Your Apartment is for You encounter mold every day. Foods Various kinds of molds grow on people living in rented apartments. spoil because of mold. Leaves decay different materials. Certain kinds An apartment can be in a multi-unit and wood on the ground rots because of molds like an extremely wet building or a suite in a house. Cleaning of mold activity. The fuzzy black environment. Other kinds of molds up mold can be either the tenant’s growth on wet windowsills is mold. may be growing even if no water or the landlord’s responsibility—or Paper or fabrics stored in a damp can be seen. Dampness inside a a responsibility shared by the tenant place get a musty smell, which is material can be enough to allow and landlord. caused by molds. them to grow.

Understanding Molds, when carefully chosen and Why are molds a concern? grown under careful control, are mold Damage to materials is one concern. useful. We get penicillin from one Mold can be harmful or helpful Mold can stain or discolour material type of mold. Mold action helps —depending on where it grows. and, over time, ruin it. Moldy paper make some foods and beverages. and cardboard disintegrate over time. Mold needs moisture to grow. Molds are undesirable when they Fabrics are damaged. Continued Mold does not grow on dry grow where we don’t want them mold growth can be a sign that materials. —such as in the places we live in. moisture conditions are favourable Researchers have identified more for the growth of fungi that cause Mold growing inside an than 270 species of mold as living wood rot and structural damage. apartment can affect occupants’ in Canadian homes. health. Molds inside an apartment can cause health problems. They release spores as Occupants can learn to recognize What makes molds grow? well as chemicals, and both can affect mold. Molds will grow when they have people. moisture and nutrients. If we keep What are molds? things dry, molds do not grow. Health experts say the effects of mold Molds are microscopic fungi. They High moisture levels can be the can range from being insignificant are part of the same family as yeasts, result of water coming in from the to causing allergic reactions and toadstools and mushrooms. Fungi outside, through the floor, walls, illness. Their effect depends on grow and reproduce rapidly and roof or plumbing leaks—when there the type of mold, the amount and as they grow they produce spores is a weakness or failure in the structure. degree of exposure and the general —specialized reproductive cells High moisture can also result when health of the occupants. —and mycelia—fine, white there is not enough ventilation to filaments or threads. expel moisture produced by occupants’ daily activities like bathing, washing clothes or cooking. About Your Apartment The Tenant’s Guide to Mold

Pregnant women, infants, the elderly The presence of mold is a sign that “Extensive” area and people with respiratory disease there is too much moisture—a An extensive mold area is an area or weakened immune systems are situation which must be corrected. larger than 3 m2—about the size of more at risk when exposed to mold. a 4 x 8 ft. sheet of plywood. This Some mold, for example on a If you believe that you or someone much mold is a health risk. windowsill but not elsewhere, is not in your family is at risk, consult a major cause for concern—it can your family physician. You’ve found be removed as part of routine cleaning. mold—now what? Mold on grout in bathroom tiles How can you tell if it is mold? Tell your landlord or building may or may not be a concern. Some Discoloration superintendent that there is mold in discoloration between tiles but not One sign of mold is discoloration. your apartment. Don’t try to clean elsewhere can simply be a sign that Not all discoloration is mold. Carpeting even small areas of mold without these areas are moist most of the near baseboards, for example, can be your landlord’s permission. It is time. The moldy spots can be cleaned stained by outdoor pollution entering more difficult to get something with a brush and unscented detergent. the dwelling. Smoke from burning done if the signs of mold are In every case you must take further candles or cigarettes may also cause removed. Furthermore, you are a steps to prevent the mold from coming stains or soot. tenant and there is a limit to what back. But if the grout is extensively you can do. Cleaning moderate and Mold may be any colour: black, white, discoloured and there is staining or extensive areas of mold requires red, orange, yellow, blue or violet. Dab damage to the ceiling or walls, there safety precautions. a drop of household bleach onto a may be a more serious mold problem. suspected spot. If the stain loses its Once you have notified your landlord Regularly look for signs of mold colour or disappears, it may be mold. or building superintendent, you can —staining, discoloration or water If there is no change, it probably clean small areas as part of your damage—in your apartment. If you isn’t mold. regular cleaning routine with a solution find signs of mold, you have to of unscented detergent and water. Smell determine the extent of the mold by Wear household rubber gloves and a Sometimes molds are hidden. A musty estimating the size of the affected dust mask for protection and follow or earthy smell is often a sign that area. the steps in How to clean up small there is mold. But not all molds create mold problems on page 3. an odour. Even when you don’t notice How much mold is there? a smell, wet spots, dampness or signs of “Small” area Mold will return if you do not reduce a water leak indicate moisture problems A small area is a patch no larger moisture levels. If mold comes back that can be followed by mold growth. than a square metre—about 10 sq. after repeated cleaning, the conditions ft. There should be no more than that caused the mold to grow must Is there a mold problem? three small patches in your apartment. be changed. The changes may be Molds are always found in outdoor things you can do yourself or may “Moderate” area air and in all buildings. They come be work the landlord has to do. A moderate area is more than three into an apartment in many ways— square metre patches, or one or more through open windows or doors, on isolated patches larger than a square clothing, pets, food or furniture. metre but smaller than 3 m2—about The problem starts when mold grows the size of a 4 x 8 ft. sheet of plywood. inside the unit.

2 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation About Your Apartment The Tenant’s Guide to Mold

Should you hire a Should you hire your own For more information, see CMHC’s professional? IAQ investigator? About Your House: Should You Test Before you consider hiring someone You would pay for the IAQ the Air in Your Home for Mold? to inspect for mold, you should have (Indoor Air Quality) investigator If you feel strongly that you need contacted your landlord and explained yourself. An IAQ investigator who to document mold contamination, the problem. Some landlords are more has completed the CMHC IAQ take detailed photographs of the aware than others of the dangers of Investigator Training Program and affected areas. You can also ask a mold and moisture and know that who follows the CMHC Investigation public health inspector or IAQ failing to correct moisture problems Procedure will give you a written investigator to take actual (bulk) can cause structural damage. They report telling you what is causing samples of the mold and send are more likely to act. Suggest that the mold and recommending clean-up the samples to a laboratory for your landlord get information, such solutions. identification. Analysing bulk as the CMHC publications Fighting As a tenant, you can take simple samples is much easier that testing Mold—The Homeowners’ Guide or measures, such as always using the air. Clean-up Procedures for Mold in the bathroom fan and cleaning the Houses. (Both are available from the Getting professional help bathroom tiles. But solutions relating CMHC website at: www.cmhc.ca, to the building—gutting a wall or Your local CMHC office has a list or by calling CMHC’s toll-free installing a bathroom fan, for instance, of people who have completed the number: 1-800-668-2642.) are your landlord’s responsibility. CMHC Residential Indoor Air Ideally, your landlord should hire an Quality Investigator program. A You could wind up paying for an indoor air quality (IAQ) investigator trained IAQ investigator examines inspection that recommends measures to find what is causing the mold your apartment’s indoor air quality, that you cannot do yourself. and recommend solutions. If there identifies the problems, finds their are problems with the building What’s more, hiring an IAQ sources and suggests solutions in a envelope, the landlord may hire investigator without your landlord’s written report. a building envelope specialist. knowledge or permission can lead to How to clean up a situation where the landlord hires Contact your public health unit small mold problems another consultant whose report is and ask for an inspection if your pitted against your consultant’s report. The minimum protective wear is: landlord doesn’t act and if: Sometimes, when tenants feel their safety glasses or goggles there is a lot of mold; landlord is ignoring their concerns, a disposable dust mask the apartment is very damp they hire their own expert to test (3M 8210 or equivalent) and moist; the air for molds. They frequently submit the test results to rental household rubber gloves mold comes back after repeated tribunals to get them out of a lease cleaning; Infants and family members with or to support mold-damage claims. asthma, allergies or other health you or a family member has asthma Generally, CMHC does not problems should not be in or near or difficulty breathing—or other recommend testing the air for the work area when you clean. health problems—that seem to molds. Laboratory tests are costly be worse inside the apartment. and interpreting the results is not simple and may not be conclusive.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation 3 About Your Apartment The Tenant’s Guide to Mold

Table 1 Steps to clean-up a small mold problem

Washable surfaces Moldy drywall Step 1 Vacuum the surface with a HEPA vacuum cleaner, if possible. Step 2 Scrub with an unscented detergent solution. Clean the surface with a damp rag using baking soda or a Then sponge with a clean, wet rag and dry quickly. bit of detergent. Do not allow the drywall to get wet. Using an unscented detergent will make it easier for you Staining that is not removed by this method should be to detect residual moldy odours. reported to your landlord.

Step 3 Vacuum the cleaned area and surroundings with a HEPA vacuum cleaner.

Mold that comes back after cleaning You are renting a basement Your best option may be to find is usually a sign that a moisture apartment another place to live. The longer you source has not been removed. Use Basements have higher humidity stay in a moldy apartment, the more the lists in Mold-proofing on page 5 levels than upper floors. In the likely your personal belongings will also to identify possible causes. summer, the wall surfaces are cooler get moldy. You don’t want to take and moisture can condense. Most moldy belongings to your new place. Dealing with a basement floors have neither a continuing mold What to do until the problem moisture barrier nor insulation and problem is fixed dampness can migrate upwards Your situation may require looking from the soil. It is not always possible to relocate at other options. Some of the other immediately. You may have no other There are building techniques (such situations are: option but continue to stay in the as exterior insulated foundations, apartment. While you are waiting to Mold comes back after good drainage) and measures (such move, you can reduce your exposure repeated cleaning as continuous dehumidification, to mold. Check to see if the moisture is supplemental heat outside the heating Wearing a dust mask and gloves, coming from inside your apartment season) to reduce mold. Many discard moldy or damaged materials, or from something that you are basement apartments do not have such as mattresses, carpets or sofas doing. Follow the lists in Mold- these safeguards. When you are that have been water damaged or proofing on page 5. Be prepared to apartment hunting, put a basement stored in damp conditions. Use give up some things and make apartment at the bottom of your list. this opportunity to reduce furnishings some adjustments. Your apartment has an old, —it means fewer materials to musty-smelling or water- Water entering the building absorb moisture and grow mold. damaged carpet that your is causing mold Store cleaned clothes and other landlord does not intend to fabric materials in sealed plastic The building owner is responsible remove bags to prevent re-contamination. for repairing the building envelope You are either experiencing discomfort, to stop moisture from entering the Buy a HEPA vacuum cleaner and worried about getting sick or you building. vacuum frequently. Settled dust believe you are already suffering health contains mold spores. Walking, problems from the mold. Ask your activities inside the apartment and physician to help you document your even air movement can re-distribute health problem and its possible these mold spores into the air relation to the mold.

4 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation About Your Apartment The Tenant’s Guide to Mold

you breathe. By thoroughly that moist outdoor conditions will HEPA filter. (See What are the vacuuming floors, walls, ceilings, not dry the inside air and wind can advantages of a HEPA vacuum? shelves and non-washable furnishings, push the moisture to other parts on page 7.) you can reduce your exposure. of the unit. Clean hard floors with a damp Carpeted floors may require Measure how much moisture is mop. multiple passes to remove particles in the air. To find out the relative and dusts lodged in the fibres. Do not bring anything into your humidity, you’ll need a hygrometer. apartment that is moldy or that Keep moisture generated within You can buy one at a hardware has been stored in a moldy place. the unit to a minimum by carefully store or electronics store. A and regularly following the hygrometer costs from $10 to Cut down the number of potted prevention steps in Preventing $60. Your apartment’s relative plants in the apartment—soil is mold below. humidity should be under a good place for mold. Frequent 45 per cent (or lower to avoid watering of plants adds moisture Dry areas that get wet. Monitor condensation on windows) in to the air. Aquariums are also the relative humidity of the air. the winter. If necessary, use a moisture sources. Use a portable dehumidifier, if dehumidifier to lower the relative necessary. Empty the condensate Recognize conditions that lead humidity. drain pan of the dehumidifier to excess moisture and mold regularly. Discard clutter and excess stored —overcrowding or too many materials. Molds grow on fabrics, pets. Increase ventilation (open If the mold is limited to one paper, wood and practically windows and or use exhaust fans) area, isolate the area if possible. anything that collects dust and when there are more occupants Cover affected surfaces with holds moisture. than the unit was designed for. plastic sheeting and duct-tape the edges. Remember: this is a Keep the apartment clean by Don’t hang-dry laundry inside temporary measure only. vacuuming regularly. the apartment or vent a dryer into the unit. Preventing mold Adopt lifestyle practices that reduce moisture. Don’t use unvented space Mold needs moisture to grow. heaters, such as kerosene or oil Controlling moisture and keeping Mold-proofing heaters. They not only produce the apartment dry prevents the moisture, but other contaminants. growth of mold. All living areas Separate footwear worn outside Kitchen Ask your landlord to find and fix from footwear worn inside. water leaks promptly. If there is a fan over the stove, Allow good air circulation by ask your landlord if it exhausts Keep the apartment dry. Think reducing the amount of furnishings. outside. Use it when you cook. of the different ways activities Recirculating fans do not remove such as cooking or bathing Heat areas of the apartment moisture produced from cooking. produce moisture inside the adequately. Condensation occurs on apartment. Exhaust fans remove cold walls in unheated rooms or Regularly wash the exhaust fan’s moisture as it is produced. If in apartments that are kept too cool. grease filter. there are no fans, open windows Vacuum often. If you are buying Minimize open and prolonged for a short time, but remember a vacuum cleaner, get one with a boiling.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation 5 About Your Apartment The Tenant’s Guide to Mold

There’s a drip pan at the back of If there is no bathroom fan but Basement or crawl space the refrigerator. Pull the refrigerator there is a window, open the window Note: This section, the “Furnace room,” out to clean the drip pan. At the after a shower when possible. Note “Laundry areas,” and “Exterior” same time, vacuum dust from the that moist outside conditions will sections, apply to rented basement coils at the back of the refrigerator. not dry the bathroom. Wind may apartments and small apartment also push moisture to other parts Check under the kitchen sink to buildings. Talk with your landlord to of the unit. make sure there are no leaks. establish who is responsible for the If there is no fan or window, tasks—the tenants or the landlord. Take out the garbage daily to consider a small, portable prevent odours and spoiling. Reduce the number of clothes, dehumidifier. paper and furnishings stored in Keep your drains in good shape. Keep surfaces that get wet, such the basement. Throw out badly To clean a drain as the walls around the bathtub damaged materials. Eliminate clutter Pour a handful of baking soda and shower, clean and dry. to improve air circulation. Only into the drain. washable items should be stored. Hang wet laundry to dry in the Add a cup of vinegar. bathroom as infrequently as Dehumidify the basement as soon possible. as the heating system is turned Put the plug in the drain. off until it is turned on again in Condensation or dampness in Let the vinegar and baking soda the fall. the bathroom may be due to work for about 20 minutes. temperature being kept too low. Avoid carpets on slab-on-grade Run fresh water into the drain. Make sure there is heat. or below-grade floors.

If the drain is still clogged, ask If the bathroom has a carpet, ask Regularly clean the drain in your your landlord for help. the landlord to remove it. basement floor. You can clean the drain with baking soda and vinegar Bathrooms Check for water leaks. as in Kitchen, using a freezer gel If there is a bathroom fan, check Keep drains in good shape by pack or plastic to temporary seal that it is able to exhaust air. The removing debris from them. the drain. Keep the drain trap fan should be able to pull a piece Follow the steps in Kitchen. filled with water. of tissue paper held over the grille Avoid standing water. Keep sump Closets and bedrooms towards itself. Another fan exhaust pits covered (you can use plywood test is determining how quickly Get rid of unused clothes and wrapped with plastic). it clears a mirror that usually fogs other stored items. Keeping your after a hot shower. Turn the fan closets and bedrooms tidy makes Furnace room on when you shower or bathe it easier for air to circulate—and Furnace filters must be replaced and keep it running for a few harder for mold to grow. regularly. Use pleated, one-inch minutes or longer after you finish. Do not humidify unless necessary. filters, not coarse filters. Keep the exhaust grille free of If your physician advises you to If there is a heat recovery debris. humidify, measure the relative ventilator (HRV), clean the filter humidity first. Cycle the humidifier inside the HRV often. on and off to maintain the desired relative humidity. Allow the room to dry the following morning.

6 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation About Your Apartment The Tenant’s Guide to Mold

If you notice molds or signs of Located in a basement portable vacuum is useful only if its dampness, such as water on your exhaust goes outside the apartment. Located on an upper floor of windows or wet spots elsewhere, a building with a wet, moldy Vacuuming removes settled dust that do not humidify. Disconnect basement contains an accumulation of mold furnace humidifiers that are no spores over time. Reducing the settled longer used. No bathroom fan, or a fan that dust reduces molds. Vacuuming doesn't work Laundry areas with any vacuum cleaner (ordinary, No kitchen exhaust fan or fan is central or HEPA) stirs dust and mold Check that the clothes dryer a recirculating fan during the process. Wear a dust mask so exhausts to the outside. you will not be breathing more mold. An old carpet Remove lint every time you use the dryer. Known history of roof or Is vacuuming with a HEPA or plumbing leaks externally exhausted vacuum Don’t hang-dry laundry indoors. cleaner recommended for Difficult to heat because it is serious mold problems only? Dry your laundry tub and washing leaky or inadequately insulated machine after you use them. Vacuuming regularly with a HEPA Frequently asked or externally exhausted vacuum cleaner Exterior questions about to prevent the ongoing accumulation Regularly check the condition of mold of dust and molds is beneficial for the roof and exterior finish for any any dwelling, with or without mold. places where water might enter. The air feels dry—can I The need for HEPA or external humidify? exhaust vacuuming increases with Make sure that eavestroughs and Before you add moisture to the air, the severity of the mold problem. downspouts are connected, work measure the relative humidity. Air properly and are free of debris. If a furnishing has been wet at that feels dry may not really be dry. some time in the past or exposed to Install downspout extensions to It may be moldy. High relative dampness over a prolonged period, lead water away from the building. humidity (over 45 per cent) promotes vacuuming with a HEPA or externally the growth of molds and dust mites. Deal promptly with any exhausted vacuum is unlikely to The moisture in the air may condense problems that you find. remove the mold growing beneath on colder exterior walls where molds the surface. It is better to discard Tips for selecting aN start to grow. the item. apartment that is not moldy What are the advantages Where do you find a HEPA of a HEPA vacuum? vacuum cleaner? When you look for an apartment, Ordinary vacuums capture large particles there’s a lot to consider. Location Vacuum cleaner dealers carry HEPA only, which allows small mold spores vacuums. Consider purchasing one combined with availability may be a to pass through the vacuum exhaust determining factor. The “Relocating” as an upgrade. A HEPA vacuum is back into the air. HEPA vacuums have, a good investment in the long term section of The Clean Air Guide is a in addition to a regular filter, special good starting point for selecting whether you have mold or not. filters to capture small particles. A Better-built HEPA vacuum cleaners apartments with good indoor air central vacuum cleaner that exhausts to quality. If mold is a major concern have airtight housing that prevents the outside also prevents re-distribution fine dust from leaking out. for you, avoid apartments with one of fine particles into the air. A regular or more of these features: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation 7 About Your Apartment The Tenant’s Guide to Mold

Does painting over a moldy Does cleaning stop mold How can moldy clothes surface take care of the mold? growth? be cleaned? Painting over mold only masks the Mold will reappear until you Dry clean non-washable clothing. problem. Paint neither kills the remove its source of moisture. High Wash clothes with a detergent mold nor stops it from growing. moisture levels that are not corrected solution to which a cup of bleach is Clean washable surfaces with a can allow the molds to grow back added. Make sure the detergent you detergent solution, following the quickly. Cleaning is a temporary, use does not contain ammonia. Repeat procedure suggested in How to clean but essential, measure. as necessary until the moldy odour up small mold problems on page 3, You can help by making a conscious is gone. and in Dealing with a continuing effort to keep your apartment dry. mold problem on page 4, and allow Store cleaned clothes and other Obviously, water must be prevented the wall to dry. If you are going to items in sealed plastic bags to from entering the home. But you paint, remove mold first. prevent re-contamination. can help by controlling moisture that you produce.

To find more About Your Apartment fact sheets plus a wide variety of information products, visit our website at www.cmhc.ca.You can also reach us by telephone at 1-800-668-2642 or by fax at 1-800-245-9274.

Priced Publications Cleaning Up Your House After a Flood Order No. 61094 A Guide to Fixing Your Damp Basement Order No. 65886 Clean-up Procedures for Mold in Houses Order No. 61091 The Clean Air Guide : How to Identify and Correct Indoor Air Problems in Your Home Order No. 61082

Free Publications Moisture and Air: Householder’s Guide —Problems and Remedies Order No. 61033 About Your House fact sheets Measuring Humidity in Your Home Order No. 62027 The Condominium Owners' Guide to Mold Order No. 62341 Should You Test the Air in Your Home for Mold? Order No. 63911 Choosing a Dehumidifier Order No. 62045 Fighting Mold—The Homeowners’ Guide Order No. 60516 The Importance of Bathroom and Kitchen Fans Order No. 62037

Although this information product reflects housing experts’ current knowledge, it is provided for general information purposes only. Any reliance or action taken based on the information, materials and techniques described are the responsibility of the user. Readers are advised to consult appropriate professional resources to determine what is safe and suitable in their particular case. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation assumes no responsibility for any consequence arising from use of the information, materials and techniques described. 66002