Older homes often harbour hidden problems that require professional cleaning services
A packed basement is full of memories, as well as the usual multitude of stuffed boxes, old furnishings and unused items from yesteryear. This was certainly the situation in the lower level of Sandy Post’s home where, in addition to her own belongings, many possessions that had been owned by close relatives, now deceased, were stored.
“Because it’s a bungalow, the basement is very big and it was very full,” said Post, who recently returned home after being hospitalized for several months. “When I finally got back, I was anxious to get on with dejunking and decluttering.”
“I knew it was going to be difficult,” she said, noting that she also had some warning that the job might not be straightforward, when her daughter mentioned that the lower level smelled mouldy.
To ease the daunting task, she sought professional help. “I looked up some companies (who specialized in this kind of work) and chose Enviropure Home Services,” she said, noting that she was impressed by the company’s many international certifications and was struck by the fact that it could also deal with any mould issues, as well as the decluttering.
“But the No. 1 thing for me was that Richard said that they would work at my pace,” she emphasized, referring to Richard Sticklee, Enviropure’s vice-president of operations, whose wife, Tina Mongeon, started the company in 2005. “When your basement’s been used to store your life’s history, you need to move at your own pace. Richard impressed me as someone who was thorough and honest and I felt I could work with him. He had also hired the most delightful, kind people who are exceptional in their sensitivity. They understood that downsizing and removing things that have been in your home forever is very difficult and that, if I could give something away for future use, I could part with it more easily.”
Post explained that the cleanup crew divided the basement contents into three groups: items to be donated; items that other family members might want; and items for disposal. “They went into the green dumpster that lived on my driveway for three weeks,” she said.
Part 2 of the cleanup was dealing with mould. This involved removing the panelling and insulation from the walls of the finished basement to find the source of the mould. (It turned out that cracks in the cellar wall had allowed water to leak in and feed mould growth.) It was also necessary to rip up the carpet and remove the ceiling tiles as part of the mould removal and remediation.
Mould, which starts to grow whenever water remains on a surface for 72 hours or more, can cause various health issues, mostly association with respiratory problems. Effective mould remediation, Sticklee said, requires HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) vacuuming, followed by source containment and the disposal of defective materials.
In exposing the pipes in the mechanical area during the mould removal process, the company discovered that they were covered in asbestos wrap. Asbestos was used in many older homes — Post’s bungalow was built in 1965 — but was made illegal in 1985 because it is carcinogenic. While it is not dangerous if undisturbed, it can cause a major problem if any renovations are underway.
“If not taken care of properly, asbestos particles, which are very tiny, can lead to lung cancer and asbestosis,” Sticklee said. “That’s why you need a licensed company to take care of any asbestos.”
He also pointed out that it is common to find more than one problem, particularly in older homes. “This is one of the advantages in dealing with a multi-line company. Instead of having to call several companies, clients need to call only one,” said Sticklee, noting that Enviropure is certified for mould remediation and asbestos abatement, as well as all areas of cleaning. “And Enviropure is committed to excellence in training, knowledge and professional workmanship. We are not only certified and licensed, we are also extremely experienced in remediation, abatement and demolition.”
“I would recommend these people highly,” Post said. “The work is not inexpensive, but you get value for money — and when they finish, everything is left exactly as they tell you it will be and you are given a certificate guaranteeing that you have a clean home. Richard explained everything to me and I found that extremely helpful. I also felt that after the whole job was done, I had formed a relationship with these lovely people. I really liked their work and their manner.”
For further information on Enviropure Home Services — rated as Ottawa’s premier cleaning business for nine consecutive years — visit www.enviropurehome.com or call 613 513-7873.