Mold

12/27/2018 (Permalink)

Mold needs these conditions before it can begin to grow in a home:

• Mold spores
• A food source 
• Darkness 
• Warmth 
• Oxygen
• Moisture 
• Enough time (24-48 hours)

Moisture is really the key cause of mold growth since the other conditions on the list are always going to be present in homes.

The difference between whether mold grows in your home or not comes down to whether you have a moisture problem.

Humidity Causes Mold

If the weather's been very humid for a few days in a row you might notice mold starting to grow in your home. When it rains for several days it's common to see mold start to grow on walls, benches and other surfaces because of the wet air.

Also when moisture inside your house evaporates into the air it increases the humidity indoors. If your home isn't well ventilated then the humidity will stay high for a long time.

Drying clothes indoors on clothes lines or stands is a common culprit when it comes to causes of indoor humidity problems. The household HVAC system can also create humidity troubles while it artificially heats or cools the air.

Sometimes people use humidifiers in their homes. But there are molds that only need the humidity level to be higher than 55% to start growing. So if you need to use a humidifier in your home make sure to keep the humidity below 55%.

Not only does high humidity feed mold, but it means that puddles of water and damp materials in the home take longer to dry out. These wet surfaces can in turn create mold growth of their own.

Leaking Pipes Cause Mold

Water leaks from pipes are a common cause of mold growth. The worst leaks are the ones that go undetected because they are hidden out of view, like inside a wall. By the time you discover these leaks mold has usually started to grow already.

Leaks in Roof Cause Mold

Like some leaking pipes, a roof that leaks into the attic might not be discovered until it's already led to mold growth.

The best thing to do is to check the attic regularly for leaks and keep an eye on the ceiling below the attic. If you notice any signs of water damage on the ceiling or any mold that has grown through then you probably have a leaking roof.

Condensation Causes Mold

Cold surfaces can create condensation in your home. Condensation collects on cold metal pipes as well as on cold concrete floors, even if there is carpet over the top, and on walls. Places like these where condensation occurs are prime spots for mold growth.

Poor Ventilation Causes Mold

If your home is poorly ventilated it can create pockets of stagnant moist air which mold thrives in. Steam and water evaporating into the air creates humidity inside which then needs to be circulated outdoors through windows to keep the moisture level balanced.

Poor ventilation also means wet surfaces dry out more slowly. Ventilation is especially important in rooms such as the bathroom and the kitchen where there is a lot of steam.