 |
| |
|
FASTFOOT®
by |
 |
|
RISING DAMP - Occurrence of Harmful Molds in Finished
Basements |
|
|
<back to menu
|
In the winter of 1995 and spring of 1996, the
CMHC
(Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Canada's National
Housing Agency), conducted a survey of 405 houses in the
Ottawa region of Ontario, Canada. The objective of the survey
was "to determine whether typical 'finished' basements are
contributing to poor indoor air quality as a result of mold
growth in the finishing materials".
About half of the 405 houses "had signs of moisture in the
basement". The study then selected 22 for further investigation.
Molds were found in 18 of the 22 houses, or 82%. Mold samples
were taken from 16 of the 18 houses. In 100% of those houses,
"molds with properties that are harmful to humans were found."
The study concluded:
"1. Some finished basements do present health hazards to the
occupants due to the presence of toxigenic and dangerous molds
in the wall cavities;
2. The causes of mold growth in finished basements are directly
related to chronic wetting
incidents rather than the wall finishing and insulating
techniques;
3. The main chronic moisture sources associated with mold growth
in finished basements are exterior moisture sources and
wetting mechanisms..."
|
|
Click here for a test on the quantity of water
entering a building through concrete wicking action. |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
Products |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
• |
|
|
• |
|
|
• |
|
|
• |
|
|
• |
|
|
• |
|
|
• |
|
|
• |
|
|
• |
|
|
• |
|
|
• |
|
|
• |
|
|
• |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
| Related Links: |
|
|
|
