Common Causes of Mold
No matter how clean a home you keep, mold will always be present in your home. Mold serves an important part in nature and does serve an important role when very low levels are present. However, when the conditions are just right, mold can thrive and take over an area, which can cause significant damage to your property. Here is a list of common causes of mold and some appropriate preventive measures that can be taken for each:
Leaking. Moisture attracts mold. That is essential to remember when working to prevent mold on your property. Leaks that can cause mold an occur in many places in your home. One such common cause of mold are leaking pipes. It is important to remember that your property is full of both visible and non-visible piping. Mold may be growing on an out-of-sight leak. Water could also be leaking into your house form an external source, such as rainwater that comes along with a storm. Regularly check your attic for structural damage and standing water, and keep an eye on the ceiling for signs of water damage.
Poor ventilation. When clean air is not properly entering your home and contaminated air is not adequately exiting your home, a number of complications can arise. This can create pockets of moist air, which is a condition that mold thrives in. This issue commonly occurs in kitchens or bathrooms, as activities carried out in these rooms often create large amounts of steam. Fans can help with ventilation by allowing the air to better circulate in the room. Keep all the appliances in each room well-ventilated by maintaining their vents, and keep your air filters clean in general.
Humidity. Your home can be exposed to humid conditions naturally due to the area weather or a particularly stormy season. Mold feeds off humidity, but humidity also prevents puddles and damp materials in your home (think laundry) from dying properly and thoroughly. These wet or damp places create ample opportunities for mold to grow and spread. If you used a humidifier in your home, be sure that your humidifier is running below 55%, as anything higher than that is the level needed for mold to start growing. Ensuring that your home is well-ventilated can help ensure that that the humidity level does not increase indoors.