The Common Causes of Mold in Homes
Mold: an unpleasant, uninvited, often invisible visitor to our homes. Call this dank and earthy growth whatever you’d like, but consider its mere presence a sign of bad news. Part of the fungi kingdom, mold is prone to grow both outdoors and indoors, as its spores are present everywhere. However, it only tends to form and thrive in the right conditions or circumstances—namely, areas of great moisture and warmth.
Consider this good news. If you’re knowledgeable about the common causes of mold in homes, you can try your best to prevent it from feasting on your home or posing a potential health problem to your family. Here’s a list of the most basic ways this fungus can come to be in your home so that you can recognize how to kick it right to the curb.
Leaks and Floods
You can’t always prevent what gets thrown your way, but you can take the necessary steps to equip a home for whatever could happen. The presence of water is a common culprit of elevated moisture. This elevation sets a center stage for pure havoc: the breeding and birth of mold kingdoms.
Whether this moisture is from a leaking pipe or roof or from any type of water spill or flood, it will surely cause mold to flourish. You need to eliminate the source. Any floodwater should be extracted from your home immediately, and any unexplained moisture on the walls, ceilings, or floors should be inspected and fixed up ASAP.
Increased Humidity and Condensation
A rich or dense level of humidity is one of the common causes of mold in homes. Healthy humidity levels are key to cultivating a mold-free indoor environment. Mold tends to be found during the hottest and most humid months of the year—at the height of summer—but it can also come into play in the winter if the ideal conditions are present. To protect your home from extreme weather, continuous rain patterns, or an unexpected increase in condensation, monitor the humidity levels inside your home instead of just the temperature. Don’t forget to keep rooms well-ventilated, and use a dehumidifier.
Insufficient Ventilation
Not running fans, which are meant to spread air and decrease humidity, in bathrooms, kitchens, or basements can cause a lack of sufficient ventilation. Crack open a window or two for a couple of minutes to provide a natural source of ventilation. Proper ventilation is only one of the ways you can prevent indoor moisture issues and take control of the moisture that exists in your home.Stay vigilant throughout the year to keep mold at bay, because there’s certainly nothing warm and fuzzy about it.
