8 Common Causes of Mold in Homes

Let’s face it. Most American houses have an active mold problem.
That mold, if not removed, can cause severe upper respiratory disorders. This may put your family at risk.

Although mold in homes may be cleaned and removed permanently, it’s far better to avoid it in the first place. So you can’t achieve that if you’re caught wondering, “Where do molds originate from?” Don’t worry if you don’t know.

Here are 8 common causes of mold in homes that you should know:

1. Dark Places

Mold thrives in dark places. This is because UV rays from the sun kill spores before they can begin to grow.

Mold can swiftly spread if space does not receive enough direct sunshine. Check rooms that don’t get enough direct sunlight regularly. These include basements, even storage closets, and laundry rooms. If the rooms are highly damp, it’s only a matter of time until mold begins to grow.

The best option is to keep the spaces as dry as possible. Make sure your sump pump is properly working if you have one in your basement. This will lower the basement’s moisture levels. Thus, it will make the environment less conducive to mold and mildew in the first place.

2. Excessive Condensation

When heated air hits a cold surface, condensation occurs. It can not only happen in the bathroom but throughout the house.

Condensation can cause pools of water around windows and doors. It can also soak into the materials, resulting in long-term damp patches. These areas provide great breeding grounds for mold.

Keep condensation as low as possible. Open windows to let moisture problems get out. Use fans to circulate the air within your home. Also, invest in weather stripping to send cold air away from the house.

Mold should be easy to notice if it grows because of condensation. Inspect for dark specks on your house’s surfaces. In most instances, you can use a diluted vinegar solution to remove the mold.

If you didn’t discover the problem right away, you could be better off by consulting a mold remediation company like PNW water restoration. The last thing all homeowners want is a mold problem that keeps reappearing anytime the weather conditions are favorable.

3. Leaking Roofs

Mold can form if there is a leak in the roof. Sadly, it’s difficult to discover roof leaks before they do significant damage. This means that mold has had plenty of time to grow and spread before you even consider calling a roofer.

While repairing the roof leak can prevent more damage, you’ll still need a professional mold remediation specialist to eradicate the mold spores.

Regular roof inspections and good maintenance are the best ways to avoid mold from roof leaks.

If you detect any missing shingles, replace them immediately to prevent water penetration. Clean out your gutters if they’re clogged to allow water to pour off your roof fast.

These easy steps will assist in prolonging the life of your roof. They will also keep your house mold-free in the first place.

4. Leaky Pipes

Sadly, leaky pipes can occur at any place in your home. You can’t note them when the damage is minor.

That means they can cause significant destruction to your home before you even realize there is an issue. It’s common for mold to form inside the walls due to leaking pipes and water damage.

Once the mold begins to grow, it can spread into the sheetrock and wooden supports. Have your plumbing examined once a year to avoid mold from leaking pipes. To keep your house safe and dry, you should replace pipes as they age and worsen.

If you have a leak that has led to a mold problem, contact a specialist right away.

5. Too Much Insulation

It is conceivable to have too much insulation in your house, believe it or not. There is no way for outside air to flow and moisture to escape through the walls when this happens. Further, the insulation retains heat together with moisture, producing the ideal environment for mold to thrive.

If spores are in the air, they will swiftly multiply and spread throughout the roof. Working with a roofing contractor and having your insulation levels evaluated is the best approach to avoid destruction. They can remove some insulation if you have too much and provide appropriate airflow levels to the room.

6. Poor Ventilation in Bathrooms

All human activities produce moisture. Humidity is carried into the air by your breath. Running the taps raises the room’s moisture, and bathing quickly steams up small areas.

All of the humidity provides an ideal environment for mold to thrive in the area. It can also grow on nearly any surface.

Spend some time looking around your bathroom to see what you can find. Mold is most likely the cause of discoloration inside your cabinets, on the walls, and tile grout. Running the ventilation fan whenever you use the bathroom is the greatest approach to avoid mold.

7. Wet and Dump Garments

Consider this scenario: you’ve just finished a load of laundry, removed it from the machine, and set it aside to hang up later. But, you forget, and the damp garment sits for at least a day.

The growth and spread of mold can happen in only 24hrs.
Wet garments lying about your house during the spring and summer months can considerably contribute to an existing mold problem. So remember to hang clothes after laundry as soon as possible!

8. Foundation Dampness

You may have a mold issue if the lot’s slope has been landscaped such that water doesn’t drain away from your house.

Rainwater and garden moisture can slowly flow and collect around your home’s foundations. This allows mold to form on the walls.

A landscaping professional can assist you in modifying your yard’s slope. You can dig dug to drain water away from your foundations.

You Now Know the Common Types of Mold in Homes

Many factors cause mold in homes. But, timely treatment of these factors will help you avoid mold damages. You can rely on mold removal professionals if mold treatment appears to be a difficult task.

A skilled and experienced professional will come to your home and evaluate the mold-affected areas. They will advise you on how to avoid them in the future.

Many mold removal companies provide free in-home consultations. So there’s no reason not to schedule one.

We hope that you’ve enjoyed reading this article. Keep checking our website for more exciting articles.