Canada Mortgage

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Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation

• Do We Live in a Plastic Bag?

Bill Crawford CMHC Research, Technology
Transfer
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This presentation will cover

• The Importance of Indoor Air Quality
• Your House as a System
• Managing Moisture
• Air Circulation
• Tips to Make Your Home Healthier

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Why is CMHC concerned with Indoor Air Quality?
(IAQ)

• CMHC is the federal agency responsible for
  housing
• CMHC has been doing research on indoor air
  quality (IAQ) and mold for the past 20 years.

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Why is IAQ important?

• We spend on average 90 of our time inside
• Studies have shown linkages between health and
  the indoor environment
• Up to 30 of households in Canada have humidity
  problems and possible mold issues
• 20 of the population suffer from respiratory
  problems (asthma, allergies sensitivities)

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Your house as a system

• A home needs to BREATHE in both directions
• Be aware of
• back-drafting

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The contaminated cocktail

• Chemical Pollutants (vocs)
• Biological Pollutants (mites, skin dander,
  pollen, molds, etc)

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Source Control The 1 Answer
A. discard excess materials
card board boxes, newspapers, carpets
fabrics, opened paint cans, thinners, household
cleaners
B. use no or low voc products
Install hardwood, ceramic floor coverings Solid
wood furniture and cabinets Use water based
sealants and adhesives
C. seal surfaces emitting vocs
under surface of counter tops, drawers, shelves,
trims, wall, door and ceilings, baseboards
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Good ventilation is essential

• Removes contaminated air and replace it with
  fresh air.
• Reduces humidity levels in your home.
• Better for you to control ventilation, than have
  air leaks.

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Check kitchen and bathroom fans

• Does your bathroom fan work? Is it used?
• Try a paper test
• Where is the moisture ventilated to?
• Clean the grill often.

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Full House Ventilation
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All HRVs must be balanced
HRAI 1-800-267-2231
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For approved installers call HRAI
1-800-267-2231
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Reducing air particulates

• Dont allow anyone to smoke
• Replace furnace filters regularly
• Remove shoes in your home
• Select hard surface flooring
• Pets are a major source of partculates
• We are a dust cloud

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Should you be concerned about mold?

• Mold will grow on almost any surface that is
  exposed to moisture.
• A musty odour is also good indication that your
  home has mold.
• Mold can make you and your family sick, usually
  with flu-like symptoms, and breathing problems.

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Surfaces should be kept warm
Heat all areas of the house Cold walls and
surfaces condense moisture and grow mold
Excess materials should be discarded
Cardboard boxes, newspapers, magazines, carpets
and fabrics provide a food source
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Mold requires moisture nutrients to grow,
remember it is is a living organism
Soap and water is preferred for removing mold,
(bleach or vinegar kills on contact, but
harsh) Reducing moisture eliminates mold
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No or reduced insulation at ceiling/wall
(thermal bridging)
High-heel trusses allow for increased insulation
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Why is managing moisture important?

• 10L to 50L of moisture can be released everyday
  in your home
• Dust mites thrive at relative humidity greater
  than 55.
• Moisture causes mold growth
• Moisture leads to wood rot and structural damage.
  

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Manage moisture inside

• Keep relative humidity low enough to avoid
  condensation on the window in winter (usually
  30) .Consider purchasing a hygrometer
• Use de-humidifiers when necessary.
• Keep basement windows closed in summer
• Do not carpet basement bathroom floors.
• Crawlspace or basement dirt floors must be
  covered
• Vent dryer outside
• Use bath and kitchen fans often
• Fix all leaks

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Manage moisture from the outside

• Repair roof leaks promptly, clean the gutter and
  extend downspouts
• Improve the grading so the soil slopes away from
  the house.
• Fix leaky outside water taps.
• Do not plant too near to the foundation.

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Window well
Elbow extension? Splash pad?
Poor grading
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Tips to Make Your Home Healthier
Outside
Inside

• Product selection, low VOCs
• Good ventilation
• Regulate moisture
• Reduce air particulates
• Remove cleaning products and no odourizers
• Change filters often
• Do not use un-vented appliances
• Remove surplus storage items

• Soil grading
• Clean eaves troughs extend down spouts
• Dont use pesticides
• Reduce chemical fertilizers
• Dont allow water to pool around foundations
• Dont idle car in garage

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LIFESTYLE
CMHC research shows that chemical contaminants
from new house or renovation materials are
generally replaced by contaminants from contents
and lifestyle after several years.
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DUST MITES 1/25000 IN.
8 LEGS, NO EYES, .WALKING STOMACH!!
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CMHC information that can help you
Healthy Housing Practical Tips Free
Clean Air Guide - 5.95
Moisture and Air Free
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Want more information? To order any CMHC
information related to housing call
1-800-668-2642or visit our website at
www.cmhc.ca