Mould and moisture
Why mould removal starts with the water, not the mould
Health Canada's guidance treats mould as a moisture problem first. Cleaning it off without finding the leak, the condensation or the flood behind it means cleaning it again.
How big is the problem
Health Canada sorts mould by area. One square metre or less is small, and you can clean it with precautions and protective equipment. More than three patches, each smaller, adding up to under three square metres is medium: a professional assessment is recommended, though the cleanup can often be done without one.
A single patch larger than three square metres is large. Health Canada says that needs a professional assessment and a professional cleanup.
Why the leak comes first
Unless the cause of the moisture problem has been identified and solved, mould will reappear. Mould begins to grow within 48 hours in an area with too much moisture, so wet drywall, carpet or insulation after a leak is a two-day race.
Health Canada's mould guide recommends keeping indoor relative humidity between 30% and 50%. Its dust and dust mites page gives 35% to 50%, with better ventilation and less moisture as the way to get there.
When the water is coming through the foundation, the job belongs with basement waterproofing companies in Ottawa, and the mould is the second call.
What a mould company should and should not sell you
- A source. The quote should name the leak, condensation or flooding that grew the mould, and say who fixes it.
- A removal list. Health Canada says drywall with mould under the paint is removed and replaced, and mouldy carpet and underpad are cut out and discarded.
- No bleach. Health Canada says not to use bleach to clean up mould.
- No air test by default. Health Canada does not recommend testing the air for mould and sets no health-based exposure limit to compare a result with.
Sources, checked 2026-10-21:
Buyer guide
Hiring a mould removal company in Ottawa
What separates a great mould removal company from a cheap quote, and the questions worth asking before you sign.
Ask how they will find the source
Health Canada is direct about it: unless the cause of the moisture problem is identified and solved, mould will reappear. A quote that removes mould without naming the leak, the condensation or the flood behind it is a quote for doing the job twice.
Know which size of job you have
Health Canada counts one square metre or less as small, a job you can clean with precautions. More than three patches under three square metres is medium, where a professional assessment is recommended. A single patch over three square metres is large and needs professional assessment and cleanup.
Do not pay for an air test by default
Health Canada does not recommend testing the air for mould, and sets no health-based limit for mould indoors, so a lab number cannot tell you the air is safe. Visible growth, a musty smell or past water damage is what to act on.
Get the removal list in writing
Some materials cannot be cleaned. Health Canada says drywall with mould under the paint is removed and replaced, and mouldy carpet and underpad are cut out and thrown away. Ask which materials come out, and who puts the walls back.
Before you hire
What should you check before hiring a mould removal company in Ottawa?
Health Canada publishes the size at which it recommends a professional for mould, what to ask one before hiring, and why it does not recommend testing the air, which is the right thing to read before comparing quotes.
Ottawa Service Directory is a listings site, not a regulator: we publish what a business reports about itself, so confirm what applies to your job with the source below and with the business before work starts.
Source: Health Canada: Guide to addressing moisture and mould indoors. Checked 2026-08-24. Rules and thresholds change, so confirm before work starts.