Are you a homeowner or renter? Are you trying to prevent mold growth in your home? Are you wondering what causes mold to grow in any household? Well, here’s everything you need to know about mold including the causes and prevention tips.

Conditions That Support The Growth Of Mold

• Food sources such as cotton, drywall or wood
• Darkness
• Warmth
• Oxygen
• Mold spores
• Moistures from humidity or water leaks

What Are The Main Causes Mold In Any Household?

• Humidity Issues

If the weather has been cold and humid for a few days, mold will most likely start growing in your home. You will notice some mold on the walls, surfaces or benches when it rains because of the wet air circulating around. If you live in areas with high humidity such as by the coast or near a large body of water, you will notice a recurring mold problem in your home.

On the other hand, if your home is not properly ventilated, any moisture trapped inside evaporates and increases the humidity thus prompting the growth of mold. If you’re a culprit of drying clothes indoors using stands or clothes lines, you might have some humidity problems.

The HVAC system in your home can also create some humidity issues through artificial heating or cooling of air. People who are prone to using humidifiers might experience the same problems if they increase the humidity level to above 55%, which promotes the growth of mold.

Besides promoting the growth of mold, any stagnant water in your home will take longer to dry out because of high humidity levels. These puddles of water can lead to mold patches on their own if they are not dried out properly.

• Leaking Pipes

Another common cause of mold growth is leaking pipes. Undetected leaks hidden from view are the worst because, by the time they are discovered, mold might have done excessive damage in your home. To prevent any mold growth in your home, you should inspect all the pipes frequently to make sure everything is intact.

• Roof Leaks

Just like the leaking pipes, leaking roofs that drip into the attic might take a while to be discovered during which the mold will have grown at dangerous levels. To prevent this, you should check or inspect the attic regularly. Also, keep an eye on the ceiling for any discoloration because it is an indication that there is trapped moisture. Any roof damage should be repaired immediately to prevent further mold growth.

• Condensation

Another cause of mold growth is condensation in the home. It is often caused by cold surface and collects on cold metal pipes or cold floors, regardless of whether or not there is carpet on the top. Condensation can also happen on the walls and all these places are ideal for the growth of mold. Therefore, any moisture or spilled water on these surfaces should be wiped immediately to prevent the growth of mold.

• Poor Ventilation

A poorly ventilated household is likely to cause mold problems because of the pockets of moisture trapped between the walls and the roof. Evaporating water and steam is part of the humidity indoors that needs to be circulated outdoors through the windows and doors. That way, the moisture remains balanced. With poor ventilation, the wet surfaces inside the house will take the time to dry properly. Make sure areas with more moisture such as the bathroom and kitchen are properly ventilated to prevent mold growth.

Once you have spotted any mold in your home, you need to contact a mold removal expert immediately to prevent any damage to your home. Prevent mold growth by keeping the humidity in your home at a lower level.