What causes mold in Ottawa homes
Ottawa’s freeze-thaw winters and clay-heavy soil in many neighbourhoods put real, ongoing pressure on basements and foundations, and a burst pipe or ice-damming event can turn into a mold problem within 24 to 48 hours if it is not dried out fast. Older housing stock across the city, common in neighbourhoods built before the 1980s, often has original waterproofing that has never been replaced, while newer, tightly sealed homes can trap humidity if bathroom fans and HVAC systems are not balanced correctly. Whatever the cause, the fix is the same: find the moisture source, remove the mold safely, and confirm the area is dry before closing it back up.