If you have ever had mold in your home, you know how frustrating it can be to get rid of. Even more importantly to help prevent future mold growth in your home, its important to know what causes it in the first place. Mold is a type of fungus that can grow anywhere there is moisture and organic material to feed on.
In a home, mold can grow on a variety of surfaces, including walls, ceilings, floors, and furniture. It can also grow in hidden places such as inside walls or under floorboards. There are several factors that can cause mold to grow in a home, including:
Water Damage or Flooding
Mold needs moisture to grow, so if there is a leak or flood in your home, it can create the perfect conditions for mold to thrive. This could be a leaky roof, a plumbing issue, or a broken pipe. Sometimes natural disasters happen to cause flooding. Any type of damage due to water can cause mold to grow if it is not addressed right away. Seeking help from a professional clean-up crew will help you to avoid mold growth in your home.
Bathrooms Without Ventilation
The most common place to find mold in a home is in the bathroom or the kitchen. Proper ventilation is important to prevent mold from growing in your home. If there is not enough air circulation, moisture can accumulate and create the perfect conditions for mold growth. If yu enjoy taking hot steamy showers, make sure that you have the bathroom fan on, or windows open for awhile even after your shower is over. If not, it is very easy for mold to grow rapidly in this very wet and warm environment.
High Humidity
Mold also thrives in humid environments, so if your home has high humidity, it can increase the risk of mold growth. Humidity levels in a home should be kept below 50% to reduce the risk of mold. If you live in a humid state, such as any of the east coast or southern states, chances are you live in a very humid climate. You can purchase de-humidifiers, or you will need to make sure you are properly ventilating your home often to keep it dry and humidity free. If humidity is trapped for long periods of time, mold will rapidly grow.
Lack of Maintenance
Neglecting routine maintenance tasks such as cleaning and checking for leaks can increase the risk of mold growth in your home. If a pipe is leaking, you might be able to find out quickly if you are routinely maintaining your home. If you neglect regular maintainance, a pipe could be leaking for quite some time and you may not have any idea. Other things that require maintenance to keep mold away would be things like maintaining your showers and bath tubs to make sure they are draining properly, not leaking water onto the baseboards or walls, and making sure they are properly caulked with no open spaces for water to get through.
Water Damage Jackson Wy
If you suspect that mold is growing in your home, it is important to address the issue as soon as possible. Mold can cause respiratory issues and other health problems, so it is important to hire a professional to assess the situation and determine the best course of action. A professional such as water damage Jackson Wy will be able to identify the type of mold and determine the best way to remove it and prevent it from coming back.
