What Are Common Causes of Mold in Homes?

Alternaria is a common form of home mold. It has a dark green and brown coloring and often comes in a velvet-like texture. In general, one of the leading mold causes for Alternaria or any other form of mold spore is excess humidity. Those damp spots in your home (whether they’re in the garage, the basement or the bathrooms) are all candidates for mold growth.

Read on to find out about the leading causes of mold in the home.

Frequent humidity

This is the leader because humid conditions allow mold to grow. Often, this is most noticeable on the walls, in closets, under sinks and on the ceilings. If you notice moisture or spots in any of these places, it’s time to call in the professionals. To prevent mold ahead of time, look at investing in a dehumidifier.

Leaks

Whether it’s under the bathroom sink or on the home’s roof, leaks are a major cause of mold. If you’re noticing moisture building up where it shouldn’t, then you may have a problem with home mold. What appears to be a small leak can lead to big, long-term mold growth problems if you don’t have it fixed.

Damp clothing

Have you forgotten to switch your clothes to the dryer after doing the wash, only to discover them the next morning? Unfortunately, mold only takes 24 hours to begin growing and proliferating, so it’s important to remember not to leave your wet clothes lying around.

Bad ventilation

Air flowing through the home is necessary to keep humidity levels under control. A poorly-ventilated home acts like a magnet for mold spore growth. One way to fight against this is to install and use fans in places where you use water like the kitchen and bathrooms.

Condensation buildup

When temperatures fluctuate frequently, then you may notice excess condensation buildup on floor tiles, concrete surfaces and brick walls. Properly ventilate these rooms, and hopefully the condensation will go away. If it doesn’t, then you could have a situation where mold begins to grow.

Flooding

One of the realities of owning a home is flooding, especially in the basement. Any time your home takes on water, then it becomes more likely that mold spores will form. Bring in a mold cleaning expert after the flooded space has dried out for testing.

Damp foundation

Mold can damage the structure of your home. In cases where the water pools around your home, this can lead to proliferation of mold; for example, rainwater can collect around the foundation, leading to mold growth on the walls. The best way to prevent this is to ensure that the landscaping doesn’t encourage water to pool around the structure.

We hope this guide to mold causes is helpful for your situation. When you need premier services in mold inspection, testing and remediation, then it’s time to consult the experts at HealthSafe Inspections, Inc. We have more than two decades of experience in the industry. Contact us today to set up your first appointment.

Categorised in: Mold

This post was written by Writer