WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF MOLD IN HOUSES?
While there are no hard numbers on just how many homes across the country have toxic mold growing beneath their walls, it’s safe to say that hundreds of thousands, and maybe even millions, of houses have been affected by mold. And if you think mold is just a cosmetic, structural issue, you couldn’t be more wrong. The fact is mold exposure can be seriously dangerous to you and your family, and if you’re breathing in the mold that’s growing in your house, you could be putting your health at risk.
Mold exposure can cause numerous health problems, including sneezing, difficulty breathing, wheezing, red eyes, skin rashes, asthma attacks, and a slew of other nasty symptoms. That’s why it’s so important to address mold problems quickly and decisively to protect the health of your family and to keep your home in tiptop condition.
To properly combat mold problems in the home, it’s important to understand what causes mold in the first place. Mold thrives in particular conditions. By identifying these risk factors, you can limit the potential for a mold problem in your home.
HERE ARE THE 6 MAJOR CAUSES OF MOLD IN HOUSES.
1. Water leaks in Your Home
Water leaks and mold go hand in hand. Leaky pipes, a leaky roof, and flooding are all common causes of mold in houses. As leaky pipes and roof leaks are concerned, these are especially dangerous because they can sometimes go undetected for an extended period of time since they are hidden from view. By the time the leak is discovered, the mold has already started spreading and you have a serious problem on your hands. That’s why it’s important to check your home regularly for leaks and to clean up water damage immediately and thoroughly to limit the chances of mold growing in your home.
2. Condensation and Indoor Mold
Like a water leak, condensation issues in the home can also cause mold growth. Cold surfaces around your home can create condensation. Air conditioning vents, windows, and metal pipes are all areas where condensation often occurs and creates prime growing conditions for mold. Pay attention to these problem areas and keep them as dry as possible.
3. High humidity levels
Mold thrives in humid conditions. If the weather outside is really humid or if your home has high indoor humidity levels, it’s possible that mold can start growing around your house. If you use a humidifier in your home, it’s recommended that you keep the humidity level below 55% as some molds can grow at anything higher than this level. You should also avoid hanging up clothes to dry indoors as this can cause humidity problems inside your house.
4. Dark, Damp Areas and Mold
Mold can’t grow under ultraviolet light. That’s why it tends to grow in dark areas around the house, such as behind the walls, in the basement, in the attic, or in various corners and poorly lit spaces. Pay special attention to these dark areas when looking for signs of mold growth in your home.
5. Warmth and Humidity
Mold can’t grow in frigid temperatures, so it tends to be most prevalent in warmer clients. If you live in a hot area, make sure you keep your home at a cool temperature to help prevent mold from thriving in the heat.
6. Poor ventilation
Poorly ventilated homes can create areas where moist, stagnant air hangs around. This is very common in shower areas where steam and water can’t evaporate properly due to bad ventilation in the home. This means water takes longer to dry, allowing mold to thrive. Good ventilation is very important in preventing mold, especially in kitchens and bathrooms.
UNDERSTANDING THE CAUSES OF MOLD IN HOUSES IS KEY TO PREVENTION
Now that you know the common causes of mold in houses, it’s important that you take action. Address these major areas of concern around your home so you can prevent a major mold problem and keep your family safe.
