Archive for the ‘Mould Removal’ Category

« Older Entries

A Movie Set with Familiar Issues: Asbestos & Mould

Thursday, March 15th, 2012

Built to withstand a four-megaton nuclear bomb, a former military facility deep underground in Northern Ontario is now home to a movie shoot – and some familiar old problems.

Known as The Colony, the compound was the twin of an American base at Colorado Springs, and was the command and control centre for the North American Air Defence Command for more than four decades. The bunker was located 68 storeys below the rocky terrain of the North Bay area of Ontario. Decommissioned in 2006 when it was replaced by a newer – and above ground – facility, the complex is still owned by the DND (Department of National Defence) and while not in use, is currently the set for a feature film starring actors Bill Paxton and Laurence Fishburne.

A Futuristic Set with Old Problems

The film has a futuristic plot about survival in a “new ice age” but the building itself, according to a DND brochure, has a lot of old problems, including:

  • Asbestos in pipe insulation. Asbestos was often used to insulate steam pipes, boilers and furnace ductwork in the form of an asbestos blanket or asbestos tape. The material can become released in the air where it can be inhaled and therefore dangerous if the material is damaged, or if it’s disturbed or removed during renovations
  • Mould in the walls of one of the rooms, which has been sealed off. Water leaks from a roof or around windows is a very common source of mould growth inside walls. The trouble with this type of mould growth is that you’ll seldom know about it until it’s already taken hold.

Vigilance is the Answer

An aging high tech facility, or your lovely older home – with the same common hazards. The only way to know about these often hidden sources of unwelcome contamination in your home and get peace of mind is to call in the professionals for an inspection.

In between professional inspections, you’ll want to inspect your home yourself on a regular basis, keeping an eye out for sources of moisture and condensation, accumulation of little black spots on walls and floors, and an overall musty odour – these are your clues to mould growth.

Keep an eye on your pipe and furnace insulation. As long as it’s entirely intact, it’s not considered dangerous, but once it starts to crumble, don’t fool around – call in the experts right away for abatement or removal.

At GreenStream Environmental, we’ve got the solution for your “old home” issues, including:

In the Toronto area contact GreenStreamEnvironmental.ca at (416) 818-9414.

Featured in Mike Holmes’ magazine, HGTV’s Income Properties, W Network’s Love It Or List It and chosen by Homestars.com as “Best Toronto Asbestos Removal Company” based on customer ratings and reviews, GreenStream Environmental Services are fully-certified, trusted and insured professionals in the removal and disposal of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential asbestos, vermiculite and mould (hazardous and non-hazardous). Providing emergency service 24/7/365 for all of Toronto and the GTA (North York, Mississauga, Markham, Brampton, Scarborough, Ajax, Oshawa, and beyond) GreenStream has over 40 combined years of experience serving clients such as the City of Toronto, the Toronto District School Board and many more. For a free estimate in Toronto, the GTA and Southern Ontario, call today at 416-818-9414.  You’ll be glad you did.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Asbestos Remediation, Asbestos Removal, Mould Removal, Mould risks, News | No Comments »

DRDC Building to be Renovated Due to Mould, Asbestos

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

The construction standards of yesterday become the renovation problems of the present, and government structures are no exception. Ottawa’s Public Works Department is renovating a building used by the Defence Research and Development Canada after a worker complained of headaches and other health related issues.

Mould Removal

Among other issues, water leaks had raised concerns about mould growth. Testing in previous years had found the presence of mould, some of which was toxic. A site inspection revealed rainwater pooling at the foundation which then leaked into the building, and the report included mention of the lack of gutters or flashing along the side of the roof, conditions that led to the leak.

Asbestos Removal

Bids are currently being sought for the $233,500 project, and include a provision requiring a specially certified asbestos abatement and removal company to deal with extensive asbestos as it exists throughout the building, including in the interior piping, floor tiles and window caulkings.

From cutting corners on flat roofing to using the latest “miracle material” for construction, what once seemed viable is now a public concern.

When it comes to your own home, keeping an eye on your roofing and being aware of materials used in your home are just the beginning. If you suspect the presence of mould in your home, or if you are experiencing suspicious and otherwise inexplicable health issues like frequent headaches, difficulty in breathing, eye irritation and other flu or allergy-like symptoms then you need help from the experts.

Please note – if you suspect any kind of asbestos use in your home, and before any renovation projects, please DO NOT DISTURB OR HANDLE the material in question. The danger from asbestos comes from inhaling the fibres, and anything you can do to contain or avoid it until you can call in the experts from GreenStream Environmental Services will help to minimize the impact.

It is not considered dangerous if the tile or other material is still intact; however any future nicks or breaks in the surface can mean a potential hazard.

At GreenStream Environmental Services, we offer professional vermiculite and asbestos remediation services along with mould removal services for your one stop shop for peace of mind.

In the Toronto area contact GreenStreamEnvironmental.ca at (416) 818-9414.

Featured in Mike Holmes’ magazine, HGTV’s Income Properties, W Network’s Love It Or List It and chosen by Homestars.com as “Best Toronto Asbestos Removal Company” based on customer ratings and reviews, GreenStream Environmental Services are fully-certified, trusted and insured professionals in the removal and disposal of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential asbestos, vermiculite and mould (hazardous and non-hazardous). Providing emergency service 24/7/365 for all of Toronto and the GTA (North York, Mississauga, Markham, Brampton, Scarborough, Ajax, Oshawa, and beyond) GreenStream has over 40 combined years of experience serving clients such as the City of Toronto, the Toronto District School Board and many more. For a free estimate in Toronto, the GTA and Southern Ontario, call today at 416-818-9414.  You’ll be glad you did.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Asbestos Remediation, Asbestos Removal, Mould Removal, Mould risks, News | No Comments »

The three “D’s” of eliminating toxic mould: Detect, Dry and Ditch

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

Who knew that winning the fight against toxic mould was simple as deploying the three “D’s” – Detecting, Drying and Ditching?

OK, so it’s not that simple. In truth, a certified mould removal company is the most effective path to eliminating mould. But the three “D’s,” recently outlined in media coverage of National Mould Awareness Month in the U.S., can help us understand the principles that best defeat mould.

Detect it!

The mould detection process is still best left to the experts but it certainly helps to understand the risk factors that foster mould growth. If we know the places mould loves to live, we can catch it early. Moist basements, particularly after floods, are the obvious culprit. But clogged drains, leaky pipes, showers and damaged roofs can also house toxic mould.  Keeping a close watch of those areas may help you spot it before it grows out of control and starts affecting your health.

Dry it!

This principle is particularly handy for all the hurricane and flood victims across North America right now. If your home has been rocked by a natural disaster – or if it’s been flooded by something man-made, like a bursting pipe – you have to eliminate the water and leftover moisture as soon as possible. Investing in a pump or shop vac may seem annoying at first but could save you the cost of a mould removal and countless other repairs.

Ditch it!

This is the hardest point of the three to hammer home. Many human beings are pack rats. We don’t like to throw away our possessions. We think things are salvageable. This mentality is the main reason why toxic mould surfaces when you think the risk is gone or after you’ve eliminated it.

Any replaceable item that is water-logged or mould-damaged – be it carpet, drywall or floor tiles – should be tossed away. Experts suggest cutting out up to a foot of the drywall above the water level of a flooded area. If you try to salvage badly damaged items, you’ll hurt yourself in the long run by giving mould a cushy place to grow.

Should you suspect the presence of toxic mould in your home or business, Contact GreenStreamEnvironmental.ca – Toronto’s mould removal specialists – at (416) 818-9414.

Featured in Mike Holmes’ magazine, HGTV’s Income Properties, W Network’s Love It Or List It and chosen by Homestars.com as “Best Toronto Asbestos Removal Company” based on customer ratings and reviews, GreenStream Environmental Services are fully-certified, trusted and insured professionals in the removal and disposal of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential asbestos, vermiculite and mould (hazardous and non-hazardous). Providing emergency service 24/7/365 for all of Toronto, GTA and Ontario, GreenStream has over 40 combined years of experience serving clients such as the City of Toronto, the Toronto District School Board and many more. Call us today for a free estimate at 416-818-9414.

Serving homes and businesses in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and across Ontario, including Ajax-Pickering, Barrie, Brampton, Durham Region, Halton, Markham, Mississauga, Newmarket, North York, Oakville, Oshawa, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Vaughan, Woodbridge and Whitby.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Mould Removal, Mould risks | No Comments »

Key Lake workers ready to revolt against toxic mould

Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

As contract workers in Key Lake, Saskatchewan are showing, ignoring mould removal when it’s clearly needed doesn’t just jeopardize people’s health. If you’re the one neglecting the problem, your business can suffer too, as workers will only tolerate living with toxic mould for so long.

That’s what’s happening in Key Lake. Roughly 260 workers from a uranium processing site there are fed up with what they believe is black mould in their kitchen and living quarters. They’ve reached the point where they’re ready to walk off the job unless their parent company, Cameco, improves the conditions.

One employee said the mould is “everywhere” and that Cameco has known about the problem since January. “They did some kind of report, they took pictures, they took samples of the mould to get it figured out.”

The anonymous employee also said that Cameco, instead of hiring a mould removal company, was looking at simply revising the air duct system or, as he put it, “sweeping dirt under the rug.”

Toxic mould isn’t something to be swept under the rug. It’s been linked to countless health problems, especially lung-related ones. It causes infections and is responsible for asthma in many cases, too.

It appears Cameco is responding to the workers’ demands. Robert Gereghty, director of communications for the company, suggested that there was simply a miscommunication with the workers and that they were commencing an Occupational Health Committee-approved plan to eliminate the mould starting this month.

“Those who want to leave the site will be allowed, they’ll be accommodated, anyone who wants to stay will be put up in other rooms, and we’re also bringing in ventilation,” Gereghty said.

The issue sounds like a case of he-said, she-said, but the bottom line is that the Key Lake workers did the right thing. It’s not right for anyone to live or work surrounded by toxic mould.

Featured in Mike Holmes’ magazine, HGTV’s Income Properties, W Network’s Love It Or List It and chosen by Homestars.com as “Best Toronto Asbestos Removal Company” based on customer ratings and reviews, GreenStream Environmental Services are fully-certified, trusted and insured professionals in the removal and disposal of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential asbestos, vermiculite, mould (hazardous and non-hazardous). Providing emergency service 24/7/365 for all of Toronto and the GTA, GreenStream has over 40 combined years of experience serving clients such as the City of Toronto, the Toronto District School Board and many more. For a free estimate in Toronto, the GTA and Southern Ontario, call today at 416-818-9414.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Mould Removal | No Comments »

Wet spring weather leads to mouldy basements

Tuesday, May 24th, 2011

The wet weather in the Greater Toronto Area this spring doesn’t just ruin golf games and picnics; it creates a breeding ground for toxic mould.

A study posted in The Globe and Mail two weeks ago chronicles the troubles of Carole Blackburn, a mother of two in Scarborough, Ontario. Repeated rain has ravaged her home, which has “weeping” tiles and poor foundation. Her basement floods every year.

Ms. Blackburn is just one of many GTA residents experiencing the havoc of major water damage at home at this time of year. The simple cost of property damage is a major threat – but the accumulation of toxic mould that accompanies the moist conditions is even more dangerous.

Without proper mold removal, a soggy basement can become a breeding ground. The mould can lead to breathing difficulties and cause countless other health problems.

There are steps you can take to combat mould if your house has taken damage from flooding and allowed it to grow. You can hire a Toronto mould removal company to eliminate the problem. You can also, of course, get the jump by ensuring your basement doesn’t flood in the first place.

Potential solutions include installing a backwater valve in your basement; extending your downspouts so that they route water away from your home instead of close to basement windows; regularly cleaning debris from your eavestroughs; keeping snow away from your basement windows and doors during the winter; or even raising or building up the ground around your house so that water drains away from it instead of toward it.

Making the proper preparations to combat flooding can save you from crippling property damage. Better yet, it can protect you from the health problems caused by toxic mould.

Featured in Mike Holmes’ magazine, HGTV’s Income Properties, W Network’s Love It Or List It and chosen by Homestars.com as “Best Toronto Asbestos Removal Company” based on customer ratings and reviews, GreenStream Environmental Services are fully-certified, trusted and insured professionals in the removal and disposal of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential asbestos, vermiculite, mould (hazardous and non-hazardous). Providing emergency service 24/7/365 for all of Toronto and the GTA, GreenStream has over 40 combined years of experience serving clients such as the City of Toronto, the Toronto District School Board and many more. For a free estimate in Toronto, the GTA and Southern Ontario, call today at 416-818-9314.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Mould Removal | No Comments »

Tornadoes bring out the worst in asbestos

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011

The damage inflicted by a natural disaster like a tornado is, for the most part, easy to see: buildings, trees and vehicles are ripped apart and pose very obvious threats to us.

However, there’s another serious environmental threat that accompanies tornadoes: asbestos exposure. Kudos to government agencies in the currently tornado-torn Southern states such as Alabama for recognizing the dangers and recently speaking out about them.

Older buildings that haven’t undergone proper asbestos removal are always health hazards; they can affect our breathing and exposure to asbestos fibres that can lead to serious long-term illnesses, including lung cancer.

But natural disasters such as tornados make the threat infinitely scarier. If you dilly-dally about getting an asbestos inspection and removal company to your building before tornado strikes, the consequences can be grave.

As Craig Tucker of the Jefferson County Department of Public Health recently explained, the destruction caused by tornadoes kicks debris all over the place and often crushes various components of a building’s foundation.

“When the material becomes crushed, more of a powdered state, that’s when you’ve got the potential for the asbestos fibres to become airborne and then cause the greatest damage to the public’s health,” Tucker said.

Health officials in the South have also smartly insisted that traditional dust masks aren’t enough to keep any disaster relief crews safe. Half-face masks with double HEPA filters are recommended.

While Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area aren’t part of Tornado Alley by any means, the disaster in the American South is an important lesson about the threat when a force of nature combines with asbestos, mould and other dangerous agents. It could be a tornado but it could also be an earthquake or a major storm.

The lesson is to make sure you keep up with your asbestos and mould removal so your risks are minimized in the event of a disaster.

Featured in Mike Holmes’ magazine, HGTV’s Income Properties, W Network’s Love It Or List It and chosen by Homestars.com as “Best Toronto Asbestos Removal Company” based on customer ratings and reviews, GreenStream Environmental Services are fully-certified, trusted and insured professionals in the removal and disposal of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential asbestos, vermiculite and mould (hazardous and non-hazardous). Providing emergency service 24/7/365 for all of Toronto and the GTA, GreenStream has over 40 combined years of experience serving clients such as the City of Toronto, the Toronto District School Board and many more. For a free estimate in Toronto, the GTA and Southern Ontario, call today at 416-818-9314.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Asbestos Removal, Mould Removal | No Comments »

Price of London Police HQ renovation climbs due to asbestos concerns

Thursday, May 5th, 2011

When it comes to renovating an old building, failing to pay proper attention to asbestos inspection can have long-term consequences. London, Ontario’s police headquarters learned that lesson the hard way recently when it was announced that an additional $1 million will be needed to complete a renovation project that has already cost $34 million.

The project was completed four years ago but, as Deputy Chief Ian Peer explained, “the original estimates to do what we wanted to do were substantially greater than the amount of money we were actually given. We were not able to get the funds back then to do all the things we needed to do, so here we are some years down the road.”

One of the neglected tasks was asbestos removal. To save money, companies often perform asbestos removal on a piece-by-piece basis. Someone finds the hazardous material and it’s removed by the appropriate asbestos inspection and removal company. This is what happened with the London Police headquarters. The problem is that the expenses increase every time a new pieces of dangerous asbestos is discovered. Low and behold, the police are being dinged for an unexpected $1 million four years after the renovations were completed.

As Peer said, “it just begins to get to the point where it becomes more economically feasible to do the entire abatement. “

The London Police Department’s story highlights a valuable lesson: there is no “halfway” with asbestos. Just because it isn’t right in front of your eyes doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Businesses and homeowners don’t want to take a “cross that bridge when when we come to it” attitude with a material with fibres that can cause lung cancer and other life-threatening illnesses when released.

The best solution is to start any renovation project the right way: by doing a complete asbestos and mould removal or inspection. Not only will you make the building a safer place to be, you’ll save money by avoiding unexpected future renovations as a result of neglecting environmental threats in the first place.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Asbestos Removal, Mould Removal | No Comments »

How does toxic mould affect humans?

Friday, April 15th, 2011

It’s a well-known fact that mould can make humans sick, but how sick can some of the more toxic mould species make you?

Some people have pre-existing health conditions like asthma, allergies or weakened immune systems that can result in mould affecting their respiratory health. However, mould can also cause serious symptoms in other individuals, such as:

  • heart palpitations
  • skin rashes
  • numbness or tingling sensations
  • dizziness
  • fatigue
  • depression
  • headaches
  • sinus problems
  • memory loss
  • an inability to concentrate
  • muscle pain
  • joint pain
  • sores

An unexplained occurrence of any of the above symptoms that does not go away, or stops temporarily while someone is outside of the home could mean that there is mould present in the home or workplace.  

Mould can also affect humans in other ways – it can colonize within the body and even use the human body as a food source. Other moulds, like the black mould often associated with grow-ops, release toxic spores that have devastating health effects on both people and animals.   It’s difficult to determine if mould is the cause of sudden and prolonged health concerns without a mould inspection, which can even determine the type of mould present (toxic or non-toxic).

If mould is present, it’s extremely important to have it removed by a certified and professional mould removal company.

know what you’re getting into.

Should you suspect the presence mould in your home or business, Contact GreenStreamEnvironmental.ca – Toronto’s mould removal contractors for a free on-site quote – at (416) 818-9414.

Mould Removal Contractors in Toronto, Ajax, Brampton, Etobicoke, Markham, Mississauga, North York, Oshawa, Peel Region, Pickering,  Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Woodbridge ,Vaughan and York

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Mould Removal | No Comments »

Choosing a mould removal company

Wednesday, March 9th, 2011

A mould removal and remediation business in Florida has been making headlines this month because their owner was arrested for fraud: faking test results and pretending to remove mould by ripping out flooring and walls without actually doing anything at all other than damaging people’s homes. He left his customers with intentionally confusing laboratory reports they weren’t able to decipher along with a mould problem that remained long after he took their money and ran.  

There is nothing as frustrating as paying for a job not completed properly, but when it comes to mould removal, your family’s health is at stake. This makes it especially important for home and business owners to only choose experienced and trusted mould removal companies.  

How to choose a mould removal company
Research. Check local online directories and trustworthy rating sites like www.homestars.com for honest and straightforward reviews of mould removal companies. 

Ask. Don’t hesitate to ask the company for references and testimonials. It’s also a must that they be certified (Applied Microbial Removal Technician and Water Damage Restoration Technician are just some examples of possible certifications from accreditation bodies like the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration in North America – IICRC), licensed, carry liability insurance and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board coverage – to not only protect themselves, but their customers.  

Compare. Many fly-by-night mould removal companies offer low rates, but in the end homeowners will get what they pay for. Mould removal is an affordable service, often less than one might expect, and trustworthy companies will offer free estimates and great extras such as emergency service and discrete service – usually, at no extra cost.

Should you suspect the presence of mould in your home or business, Contact GreenStreamEnvironmental.ca – Toronto’s mould removal specialists – at (416) 818-9414.

Mould Removal Services in Toronto, GTA, Ajax, Brampton, Etobicoke, Markham, Mississauga, North York, Oshawa, Peel Region, Pickering,  Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Woodbridge ,Vaughan and York, Ontario.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Mould Removal | No Comments »

Scientists find surprising link between asthma and mould

Sunday, January 23rd, 2011

Many people are aware that mould can make asthma symptoms worse, resulting in asthmatics having difficulty breathing or even triggering dangerous asthma attacks.   However, research that was conducted by British scientists and published in December’s issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine has found a surprising and significant reason mould can have such a terrible effect on people with asthma – the mould begins to grow in their lungs.

The warm and moist climate of the lungs provides a perfect place for mould to grow, and it can easily get into the lungs when the spores are inhaled.   The research was conducted at Glenfield Hospital in England.

One of the researchers said in the report that, “it is known that A. fumigatus can grow in the lungs of some people with asthma and mould allergy, which can cause severe lung damage.”

A. fumigatus is a species of Aspergillus, which is a common environmental mould known to irritate allergies and asthma and can be found in homes. The only way to prevent the inhalation of mould spores is to have the mould removed by a professional mould removal company.

Mould may not always be easy to spot, but a mould removal professional can find hidden mould and other problem spots like water damage that can provide an optimal environment for eventual mould growth.

According to the asthma study, 60% of people with asthma who were allergic to the mould had it growing in their lungs. Those who had the mould growth in their lungs also had much more serious narrowing of the airway. In fact, narrowing of the airways that doesn’t go away was found to actually cause the mould to grow in their lungs.

Should you suspect the presence of mould your home or business, Contact GreenStreamEnvironmental.ca – Toronto’s mould  removal specialists – at (416) 818-9414.

Professional Mould Removal Services in Toronto, North York, GTA, Ajax, Brampton, Etobicoke, Markham, Mississauga, Oshawa, Peel Region, Pickering,  Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Woodbridge ,Vaughan and York

Tags: , ,
Posted in Mould Removal | No Comments »

« Older Entries