It’s practically impossible to prevent mold spores from entering a home. However, with careful consideration and thoughtful habits, homeowners can limit mold growth. Of course, avoiding excess mold begins with understanding what helps it thrive in the first place.
What Does Mold Need to Grow?
Mold only needs a few things to grow: Shade, food, moisture, and warm temperatures. And spores, the microscopic colonists that mold produces to spread and grow, can be found nearly anywhere.
Still, that doesn’t mean that you can’t fight mold growth in your home, especially if you know how it starts.
7 Sneaky Pro-Mold Features in the Average Home
There are about 100,000 different types of mold and mildew, and many of them can be found in a standard American home. Modern homes have unwittingly become havens for mold growth, thanks to mold’s unique characteristics and requirements.
1. Moisture and Humidity
Moisture is mold’s best friend, and most common varieties cannot flourish without it. Those who live in coastal areas, subtropical climates, or other naturally humid places are likely to experience rapid mold growth. However, any home equipped with an air conditioning unit can grow mold, thanks to temperature gradients.
The best way to keep moisture and humidity at a minimum is to install a powerful housewife dehumidifier. Of course, regular maintenance and professional waterproofing services can also help.
2. Warm Temperatures
If you’ve ever wondered, “What temperature does mold grow at?”, you’re not alone. Mycologists have concluded that most types of molds only grow when exposed to temperatures of 40°F or higher.
Homeowners that use central heating during the winter may even exacerbate existing mold growth thanks to increased internal temperatures and inter-wall condensation. Likewise, residents in warm climates can accidentally encourage mold growth during the summer thanks to the temperature differences and moisture generated within an HVAC system.
Because human beings favor temperate, comfortable homes, it may be difficult to deter temperature-driven mold growth in a home. Especially once that mold’s started growing in the walls.
3. Building Materials
Mold, like most living things, requires energy to reproduce and survive. And mold and mildew get energy by consuming organic, carbon-based materials. A great example of such a material is wood.
The timber beams in a home can quickly become moldy and rotten if untreated. Mold can also consume wallpaper, glue, and paint. Pre-treating lumber and drywall with mold-resistant coatings are a great way to avoid feeding mold.
However, mold can also eat some types of synthetic materials, too.
4. Plastic Materials
That’s right! Mold can even consume plastics. There are only a handful of things that mold and mildew can’t eat, including concrete and glass. Still, mold can attach to the surface of nearly any type of material and begin growing, especially surfaces covered in dust or grime.
5. Dust and Dirt
When a home gets dusty, dirty, and generally unclean, it can become the perfect ecosystem for mold growth. That’s because dead skin cells and soil are organic materials—Mold’s favorite snack.
6. Shade
Mildew thrives in damp, dark places. Too much UV rays spell annihilation for most species of mold. That’s why basements tend to be far moldier than kitchens, even though they’re equally humid.
7. Anything
The bottom line is that mold can grow anywhere and everywhere. Spores can enter your home on clothing, pets, hair, skin, shoes, or through your HVAC vents. And, they can begin setting up shop nearly anywhere.
The best way to prevent mold growth is to keep a home clean, dry, and well-lit! Of course, sometimes that’s isn’t enough. When that happens, it’s crucial to schedule a mold removal service.
A team of experienced professionals can help get your home back into tip-top condition, saving you precious time and keeping your and your household safe.
Eliminate Mold Growth Conditions
Mold and mildew are no laughing matter. When they begin spreading inside of a home, they can cause significant health problems. If avoiding these mold-positive conditions isn’t enough, it may be time to reach out to the professionals for help.
If you or your family are experiencing symptoms of mold inhalation, don’t hesitate to schedule a mold removal service today. For more information on how these services work, please contact us today.
