Mold Allergies: How to Find the Source and Prevent Mold at Home

What is a Mold Allergy?

A mold allergy is an allergic-type reaction some people have to mold spores in the air. Mold is a fungus that grows wherever there is moisture, indoors and outdoors, and its spores are a common allergen, like pollen and dust mites. Sensitivity varies from person to person, which is why two people in the same home can react very differently.

Types of Mold Commonly Linked to Allergies

These are the molds most often named as allergens, and all three can grow indoors:

Aspergillus: Common both outdoors and indoors. Indoors it grows on damp building materials, dust and stored food.
Cladosporium: This mold often appears on dead plants, wood, and textiles. It’s one of the most common outdoor molds but can also thrive indoors in damp areas.
Alternaria: Frequently found in soil and on plants, and indoors where humidity stays high, such as around windows and in bathrooms.

Concerned About Mold in Your Home? Get a Free Inspection!

If you suspect mold in your home, contact Mold Busters for a free virtual mold inspection. Our experts can help you find the mold, the moisture feeding it, and the right way to fix both.

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Mold Allergy Symptoms: Is It Mold in Your Home?

allergy to mold

People who react to mold often describe something that feels like hay fever, which is why mold and seasonal allergies are easy to confuse. Only a healthcare professional can tell you whether mold is the cause of what you are feeling. What we can help with is the other half of the question: whether there is mold in your home, where it is, and what is feeding it.

Seasonal allergies follow the pollen calendar. Indoor mold does not. If you notice a reaction that is worse at home, in one room, or after rain or a leak, it is worth looking for mold. Our teams in Montreal and Ottawa can help find and remove it.

Signs of Mold in Your Home

Ask yourself these questions about your home, your office, or your school:

Is there a history of flooding or leaks?
Are there any visible signs of mold?
Are there musty odours?

A history of flooding, discoloured walls or building materials, and musty odours are all telltale signs of a mold problem. If you notice any of them, we offer air quality testing in Ottawa and mold inspection in Montreal, as well as mold inspection services and mold testing services across our service area. An inspection checks your home, not your health: it can tell you whether there is mold, where it is, and what moisture is feeding it.

How to Manage a Mold Allergy at Home

Questions about allergy testing or medication belong with your doctor or an allergist. The part you control at home is the mold itself. Health Canada advises removing any mould that already exists and fixing the underlying cause, whether that is water damage, too much humidity or not enough ventilation. It also notes that some people are more sensitive than others, so there is no safe amount of indoor mould to leave in place.

Reduce Moisture and Mold at Home

Reduce Indoor Humidity: Keep indoor relative humidity between 30% and 50%, using a dehumidifier where needed. Fix any leaks promptly to prevent mold growth.
Proper Ventilation: Ensure your home is well ventilated. Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens, and open windows when possible to improve air circulation.
Mold-Resistant Products: Consider using mold-resistant products in areas prone to moisture, such as bathrooms and basements.

How to Prevent Mold Allergies at Home

The most reliable way to reduce indoor mold is to keep it from growing. Poor ventilation lets moisture build up, and moisture is what mold needs. A few simple habits help:

Use the air conditioner, if you have one, and keep it clean;
Install a dehumidifier, to keep the air indoors dry; and
Frequently clean your floors, preferably with a HEPA vacuum.

These are just a few measures you can take to improve the air flow and prevent indoor air pollutants from accumulating.

Cleaning Up Mold Safely

Preventing mold from developing in the first place is the best way to avoid it. To do so, control moisture and the relative humidity indoors. When mold does appear, follow these precautions from Health Canada:

Protective Gear: Wear safety glasses or goggles, a disposable N95 respirator, and household gloves.
Cleaning Solutions: Clean small areas of mold with water and dish detergent, then dry the area thoroughly. There is no need to use bleach.
Keep Others Away: People who are more sensitive to mold should not be in the room, or nearby, while it is being cleaned.
Professional Help: For large mold growth (Health Canada’s threshold is a patch larger than 3 square metres) or mold in hidden areas, hire a professional mold remediation service to ensure thorough and safe removal.

If mold has already taken hold, have it removed and fix the moisture behind it, or it will come back. Our mold removal service is designed to help in such scenarios. We also offer virtual mold inspection services for convenience and efficiency.