Mold Growth

Most people who spot mold in their homes for the first time wonder how the mold got there and why they chose that certain spot in their homes. Mold doesn’t just pop out of nowhere, they are a natural part of our environment and is more likely to be found outdoors. However, there are instances where they do get into our homes, settle and thrive.

But first, what do molds do? In their natural environment, molds actually aid in breaking down organic matter such as dead trees and fallen leaves. Indoors, however, they can ultimately destroy the things that they are growing on which could be your couch or other furnishings. They can also cause health problems such as allergies. Now, we all know that mold spores are pretty much invisible to the naked eye and as such, you cant really see them floating about and clean them up. So what do you do? To be able to know just how you can protect your home from molds, you need to learn what conditions they thrive the most in. From there, you can start doing things to make sure that those conditions aren’t present in your home.

In fact, the conditions that is required for mold growth is present in most household. The only thing that’s lacking is enough moisture, but then again, this could be found in some houses as well. Remember that moisture control is key to mold prevention. Things you should watch out for include any form of water intrusion. Rainwater can enter your home through leaks in the walls, the roof or through windows. Ground or surface water can also enter your home if your foundation has very poor drainage. Then, there are those places that are prone to flooding which, needless to say, causes devastating water intrusion. So its best to regularly check your roof for any leaks, check the drainage to see if it is working well and if you see some water intrusion, no matter how big or small, find out what’s causing it and dry it as soon as possible.

Another factor that contributes to mold growth is water vapor. When humidity becomes increased indoors, the home or buildings furnishings subsequently absorb the moisture that is produced. This damp furnishing now becomes a suitable place for mold to grow in. However, if there aren’t any cold condensing surfaces and if the humidity is kept at around 60% indoors then there won’t be enough moisture in the furnishings for mold to thrive in. During summer time, using your air conditioning would help a lot in de-humidifying your hone. However if the system is inappropriate in size for the space it is used it, too big or too small, then the air conditioning can in fact create humidity as it cools the place without really removing the water vapor. So make sure that your air conditioning is suitable, in terms of size, to the place where you plan on using it.

Remember the simple rule; no water moisture equals no mold. So keep your home free of moisture, make sure you keep the humidity on average and check for any leaks in your roof ad in other places that it might occur in. Doing all of this would surely keep your home mold free.