Mold doesn’t just suddenly appear in your home on its own. To grow and travel throughout a structure
Mold requires certain conditions and environments to exist in order to proliferate. And those spores can really move when that happens! Excess water and moisture are the primary catalysts, so the time to be aware of the possibility of mold growth is when you’ve experienced any type of water invasion. We’ve listed below the many ways that mold can enter and take hold in your home and pose mold related health risks.
The Right Conditions
Mold needs the right conditions to grow and spread throughout your home. All it needs are a food source, darkness, heat source, oxygen, water – and very little time. That’s why, once some mold is detected, it is extremely important to deal with it before it gets worse!
Humidity
A few days of humid weather can cause mold to form on walls, ceilings and other surfaces – all in a just a couple of days! Intense rainfall landing on various surfaces including walls and fencing can spur mold growth, allowing spores to travel and invade your home.
Drying wet clothing indoors using clothes horses or similar drying accessories causes the dampness from the clothing to rise into the air, leading to an increase in humidity. Using a dehumidifier will reduce the chance of mold forming by keeping the room humidity below 55%.
Leaks
Even the smallest of leaks can cause mold to grow quite rapidly. This seepage often goes unnoticed until items and materials are compromised or the mold becomes so bad it is clearly visible on walls, flooring or furnishings. By this time, you may even smell the mold – which can have a negative affect on your health as time passes.
Condensation
Concrete floors often become extremely cold even when covered by carpet and padding underneath. This can also happen to walls, even though they may have insulation. When a cold house is warmed up again, condensation can form – which becomes an ideal breeding ground for mold.
Inadequate Ventilation
Poor air flow can create stagnant areas throughout your home. This is why it is important to have proper ventilation to keep air moving and not settling in one place. When water evaporates into steam, the air becomes humid which in turn creates the perfect environment for mold spores to form and spread. In areas where water is commonly used, such as the bathroom and kitchen, proper ventilation is extremely important.
Damp Clothing
After a swim you may have put your wet swimsuit or trunks in a bag and stowed it away, temporarily forgotten. After some time has passed and you’ve opened the bag you may notice some mold growth on those items. This can happen even after you’ve just washed clothing but left the laundry in its wet state for just a few days. That’s why you should pop that damp laundry immediately into the dryer before you go away for the weekend!
Flooding
Flooding can cause some of the most dangerous kinds of mold, particularly if the flooding is caused by outside influences such as sewage – even the dirty water from your washing machine or dish washer. This type of “black” and “grey” water usually contains contaminants that can grow along with the mold, causing the spores to be breathed in or even inadvertently ingested.
Under House Water
Water can easily collect beneath the house, in basements, and even within the home’s foundation. Think about the layout of your garden and see if it slopes toward the house. If the garden is going in that direction, then you may need to rethink the landscaping to prevent water collecting around, and eventually inside, the walls and house, thus allowing mold to grow. Inspect the structure of your home regularly for holes in order to prevent water from entering. Be sure to keep an eye on guttering, searching for cracks and blockages. Performing these inspections will go a long way in keeping water away from under the house as much as possible.
If you have a basement, be sure to check regularly to ensure that there is no lingering dampness. Where possible, place a humidifier in your basement to keep the air fresh, particularly if there is no ventilation in the form of windows and ducts/vents.
Having A Problem With Mold?
Don’t delay – you’ll need an expert to handle the situation. Don’t wait while the problem becomes worse! We at Orange Restoration are fully capable of dealing with any type of emergency. All of our technicians are fully certified and trained in all facets of damage restoration. We will respond quickly and get your property back to its original state in no time at all. We are available for 24/7 emergency services. Give us a call today!
