Top 6 Causes of Mold in Your Home

What is Mold?

Mold is neither a plant nor an animal. Mold is a tiny creature that belongs to the kingdom of fungi. It occurs in every warm region of the planet with a wet climate. The precise number of mold species is unclear, although experts believe that there are over 100,000 distinct varieties of mold germs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, at least 1,000 species of mold are widespread in the United States. Mold, as awful as it may be, is a part of life in virtually every indoor setting. The causes of mold growth, on the other hand, can be managed. That is why the first thing you should do if you find mold symptoms in your house is to contact a professional mold remediation company such as Flood Professionals, INC.

The following are the causes of mold before it can begin to grow in a home:

• Mold spores 
• A food source (wood, drywall, cotton)
• Darkness (Mold cannot develop in the presence of UV light.)
• Warmth (Mold cannot develop in subzero temperatures.)
• Oxygen
• Moisture (water leaks, humidity)
• Enough time (Most molds can start growing in 24-48 hours if the conditions are favorable.)

The approach to solving the causes of mold in your home is determining what precisely is triggering it.

• Causes of Mold #1 - Poor Ventilation and Humidity: If your house is inadequately aired, this is one of the causes of mold. Mold may flourish in pockets of stagnant, damp air created by a lack of ventilation. Humidity is produced through the evaporation of water and steam. To maintain a regulated moisture level, the humidity must be cycled outside.
• Causes of Mold #2 - Leaking Pipes: Water leaking from pipes is one of the most prevalent causes of mold growth. The worst leaks are those that are hidden, like inside a wall or above a ceiling. Hidden leaks are especially dangerous since mold has generally begun to develop by the time you discover them.
• Causes of Mold #3 - Leaks in Roof: A roof that leaks into the attic, like certain leaky pipes, may not be detected until mold growth has occurred. The best thing to do is to inspect the attic for leaks on a regular basis. Also, keep an eye out for wet spots on the ceiling below the attic.
• Causes of Mold #4 - Flooding: After your house has been flooded, the causes of mold issues are virtually inescapable. Obviously, your house will be quite wet for an extended period of time during a flood. It might take days, if not weeks, for the water to evaporate. This implies that mold development is quite likely. Mold can only grow in an area that has been moist for 24 hours.
• Causes of Mold #5 - Damp Basements: Basements are typically poorly ventilated. As a result, they frequently have higher levels of moisture or humidity than other rooms in the house. Basements are also frequently cooler, resulting in greater condensation, which contributes to moisture and humidity.
• Causes of Mold #6 - Water at the Foundation: Keep an eye out for water pooling around the foundation of your home. This might cause water damage to your home's foundation. Sloping the yard away from the foundation will keep rainwater from collecting at the foundation.

More Mold Prevention Tips

• Maintain a low humidity level. They should not be more than 50%. This can be accomplished with the aid of an air conditioner or dehumidifier. Keep in mind that humidity levels fluctuate throughout the day. You will need to monitor the humidity levels on a regular basis.
• Make sure your house has adequate ventilation. In the kitchen and bathroom, use exhaust fans that vent outside your home. Clothes dryer vents should be located outside as well.
• Repair any leaks in your roof, walls, or plumbing. Mold will not be able to develop because it lacks the moisture it requires.
• After flooding, your house should be entirely dry within 24–48 hours.
• Before painting, wash the walls and consider adding mold inhibitors to the paint.
• Use mold-killing products to clean bathrooms.
• Remove or replace damp carpets and upholstery that cannot be dried immediately. Avoid using carpet in rooms with a lot of dampness, such as bathrooms or basements.

You may try to prevent the causes of mold in your home by following a simple checklist.

A Mold Remediation Company Serving Florida

Contact Flood Professionals, Inc. at 305-697-9080 today for 24 hour water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, or mold remediation along with any of our other services or get an instant quote from our website. Our mold remediation company will get to your Florida home or business and remove any causes of mold in 30 to 60 minutes.

Learn more about 7 Signs That You Really Need Professional Mold Removal