OTTAWA, June 9, 2005 -- The attached information items may be of interest to homeowners in your area. It is being provided to you in two lengths so you have the option of highlighting key information tips for the homeowner or providing more in-depth information for their use. If you would like to do a feature story on this subject, need photos or are looking for other housing information, please do not hesitate to contact CMHC at: (613) 748-2732 or send an e-mail to media@cmhc-schl.gc.ca If you’re like most homeowners, you want to know if mold you find inside your home is a problem. Mold of any type growing inside the home is undesirable, and can have potentially adverse affects on the health of your family, ranging from allergies to illness. If your house is damp or has ever been flooded, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has a range of tips you can follow to find, identify and fight mold in your home, including: Estimate how much mold is growing. For small patches, a single square meter or less, you can clean up the mold yourself using an unscented detergent solution, household rubber gloves, safety goggles and an N95 respirator for protection. For anything larger, get a professional assessment to determine why the mold is growing, and how best to get rid of it. If the mold comes back after repeated cleaning, consider getting an assessment from a qualified Indoor Air Quality investigator to help identify the problem, find its source and suggest possible solutions. To reduce your exposure to mold, discard any furnishings or materials that are moldy or damaged, or which have gotten wet, including carpets, mattresses and sofas. Plus, pull carpets and furnishings away from any wall that gets wet, and discard any underpads that have become moldy. Clean and maintain your home regularly, including vacuuming all surfaces and non-washable furnishings on a consistent basis. Keep indoor moisture levels to a minimum by using exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom, not line-drying clothes inside the home, storing firewood outside, using a dehumidifier in the basement during the spring, summer and fall months, and avoiding humidifying the house during the heating season. C heck for and repair any water leaks coming in from the outside, or through the floor, walls, roof or plumbing. Finally, always put safety first. If you spot mold and any member of your family is pregnant, elderly, an infant or suffers from asthma, respiratory problems or a weakened immune system, consider getting an immediate assessment from a qualified professional. For more information or a free copy of Fighting Mold - The Homeowners’ Guide or any of the other "About Your House" guides to virtually every facet of owning, maintaining or renovating your home, ask CMHC at 1 800 668-2642 or visit our Web site at www.cmhc.ca. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is Canada’s national housing agency and a source of objective, reliable housing expertise. For story ideas or to access CMHC experts or expertise, contact CMHC Media Relations - National Office at: (613) 748-2732 or by e-mail: media@cmhc-schl.gc.ca (200-WORD ARTICLE) Fighting mold in your home Mold of any type growing inside the home is undesirable, and can have potentially adverse affects on the health of your family. If you spot mold in your home, first estimate how much is growing. For patches of a square meter or less, clean up the mold using an unscented detergent solution, rubber gloves, safety goggles and an N95 respirator. For anything larger, or if the mold comes back after repeated cleaning, get a professional Indoor Air Quality assessment to determine why the mold is growing, and how best to get rid of it. To reduce your exposure to mold, discard any furnishings or materials that are moldy or damaged, or which have gotten wet, including carpets, mattresses and sofas. Keep indoor moisture levels to a minimum by using exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom. Use a dehumidifier if necessary. Plus, repair any leaks coming in from the outside, or through the floor, walls, roof or plumbing. To find out more, ask CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) at 1 800 668-2642 for a free copy of Fighting Mold - The Homeowners’ Guide, or download a copy from CMHC’s Web site at www.cmhc.ca (100-WORD ARTICLE) Fighting mold in your home Mold of any type growing inside the home is undesirable, and can have potentially adverse affects on the health of your family. To reduce your exposure to mold, clean up small patches with an unscented detergent solution, rubber gloves and N95 respirator, or get a professional assessment. Discard any furnishings or materials that are moldy or which have gotten wet. Use a dehumidifier if necessary. And repair any leaks in your home or plumbing. To find out more, ask CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) at 1 800 668-2642 for a free copy of Fighting Mold - The Homeowners’ Guide, or download a copy from CMHC’s Web site at www.cmhc.ca For further information: For story ideas or to access CMHC experts or expertise, contact CMHC Media Relations - National Office at: (613) 748-2732 or by e-mail: media@cmhc-schl.gc.ca
