Mold Growth Is Caused by These Types of Moisture

There’s a good chance that you’ve come into contact with mold on several occasions throughout your lifetime. In fact, mold is often unavoidable since its growth comes so easily. All it takes is a little moisture and a small amount of time, and then – voila! – you have yourself a mold problem.

This is important because whether mold is toxic or not, it can create respiratory problems, especially with people who suffer from asthma or allergies, in addition to structural damage to your home. In order to make it easier for you to avoid the accumulation of mold, here are some sources of moisture for you to watch for:

Kitchen and Bathroom Sink

We’ll start with an obvious one. Any sink in your home is a source of water, which makes it a source of mold. Whenever you use a sink, it’s important that you clean up any water that spills onto the counter or the floor.

Shower

Your shower can end up being one of the worst sources of moisture buildup in your home. That’s because when people step out of the shower, they end up bringing water along with them, tracking it all over the floor. This water collects in cracks, crevices, and corners – and that’s the perfect breeding ground for mold. Clean up any excess water every time you use the shower.

Rainfall

No matter how much rainfall you get, your home is susceptible to the moisture that it brings. That’s because there’s a good chance that you’ll be going outside at some point and bringing in water on your clothes and the bottom of your shoes. This means that wherever you go, the possibility of mold follows closely behind.

Leaky Pipes

Even though you’ll sometimes notice leaky pipes due to a loss of water pressure, they often go unnoticed when the damage isn’t severe. Pipes should be checked periodically to make sure they’re in good working order. When you find one that isn’t, you need to get it fixed or replaced right away.

Leaky Roof

When it’s raining outside, you’ll notice a leaky roof almost instantly. The problem is that people tend to only notice that their roof needs to be fixed when the rain is coming down and as soon as the rain has stopped, they don’t worry about fixing it because it’s not causing an issue anymore. And, of course, this means that it will leak again and bring more moisture into your home at a later date.

Heating and Cooling Units

Both heating and cooling systems cause humidity, which creates a good environment for mold to flourish. You should routinely check for moisture around your vents, inside your ductwork, and around the main part of the unit itself. This will often quell tons of moisture problems.

Nearby Body of Water

If you happen to live near a body of water, whether it’s an ocean, lake, or public swimming pool, you’re more likely to track in water and spread it around. This is why it’s important to be cognizant of where you go in your home and routinely wipe up any moisture you find right away.

Wet Clothes or Towels

If you’ve ever left wet clothes or towels lying around for an extended period of time, you know that mildew buildup occurs before too long. Left too long and it will cause mold to grow as well. Make sure that you don’t leave any wet clothes or towels on the floor, and if you hang something up to dry, be sure that you check the floor underneath and wipe up any water that’s dripped onto it.

By keeping moisture at bay whenever possible, you can cut down on the accumulation of mold in your home. If things get out of hand, however, turn to the repair and restoration experts at Abbotts Fire & Flood. We can get your home fixed up and back to normal.