Why Does My House Have Mold?

8/20/2022 (Permalink)

Why Is Mold Growing In My House?

The moment you get a whiff of a musty odor, you know your home in Crestwood, MO, has a mold problem. When that happens, it best to have a black mold remediation and restoration do the mold cleanup to ensure it is done properly. While it’s good to know someone is there to make it “Like it never even happened,” avoiding an infestation altogether is ideal.

Common Culprits
The key ingredient for any type of fungi issue is a moisture problem. Mold needs moisture, warm temperatures and food, which are various organic materials in your home, to survive, thrive and grow. Below are some of the main culprits that quickly lead to a black mold problem:

Humidity: As moisture evaporates, it increases the humidity levels inside your home. Your clothes dryer and HVAC system often play key roles in that increase.
Leaks: A hidden leak, even if it is a small drip, means water is pooling somewhere and dampening materials. Along with pipes, roofs are a common area for undetected leaks.
Condensation: From cold metal pipes to concrete floors and windows, varying temperatures increase the chances of condensation and mold.
Ventilation: When air isn’t circulating properly, it may mean a missed spill takes longer to dry or aid in increasing humidity levels.
Wet Clothes: Most of your clothing has organic fibers. As the water sits, it creates an ideal locale for fungi to grow.
Damp Basement: The lower level of your home often lacks good ventilation and has higher levels of moisture in the air. Since water follows gravity, leaks on other floors may naturally lead right to the basement.

Prevention Tips
Any unexpected moisture that lingers longer than 24 hours means you are increasing the chances of a colony growing and spreading to other areas. While mold isn’t entirely preventable, keeping humidity levels below 55%, immediately fixing leaks, insulating pipes and windows, running a dehumidifier, and ensuring good airflow are easy and cost-effective ways to minimize the chances of dealing with a massive problem.
Avoiding black mold means knowing common areas it is found and taking measures to keep those areas as moisture-free as possible.