If you’ve faced water damage in your home or have a wet environment, it’s reasonable to wonder whether there’s mold lurking somewhere in the house. You may even smell the odor of mold, experience symptoms of mold allergies or notice signs of mold growth. At
Zona Restoration, we generally tend to advise people that where there is moisture, there is mold. Mold can affect the materials within your home and cause health effects like a stuffy nose or coughing in some people. By taking certain steps, you can reduce and combat household mold.
What Causes Mold?
Mold spores commonly float in the air, but they need specific conditions to settle and grow. These include the right temperatures, moisture and a food source. Mold grows when the temperature of an environment falls in the range of 40 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. It also needs moisture to encourage its growth. Finally, the mold spores require organic materials as nourishment. If you’re wondering what mold uses as a food source, that can include all sorts of building materials and other items that are common to homes. You’ll see mold growing on shower grout, on ceilings, on furniture and on many other items.
Moisture Problems and Mold
Although mold requires many factors to support its growth, moisture is the main one to focus our attention on. That’s because mold will always find food sources to gain the nutrients it needs, and the temperatures that keep us comfortable in our homes tend to be the right temperatures to encourage mold growth. While there are always sources of moisture in the home as well, we can find ways to cut down on this part of the equation to discourage mold growth.
Nonetheless, there are numerous components of moisture to focus on when you’re trying to control mold. You could have excess moisture from high humidity in the air. This is especially a problem during hot summer months and in certain climates within the United States. Your home could have water leaks that contribute to the mold problems. And then there are those problem areas like bathrooms that always seem to be wet and full of humidity.
How to Prevent Mold
It is possible to control mold in your home environment. You can take numerous steps to prevent or reduce its growth. Focus on areas of the home that are usually wet, such as the bathroom. It helps to ventilate the bathroom with exhaust fans after you take a shower. Improve the humidity levels throughout the entire house with tools such as HVAC systems and a dehumidifier.
Also, focus on problems contributing to the mold and work to fix those problems. This could include issues such as a leak from the roof or pipes, or water damage from a storm. If you already notice any types of mold, clean it with bleach or a commercial product. For extensive problem spots, consider mold remediation and removal.
If you have any questions regarding moisture and mold in your home, contact
Zona Restoration today. Our experienced staff will come to your home to test for any mold as well as answer any questions you may have!
