What Causes Mold at Home? 5 Things to Look Out For

What Causes Mold at Home? 5 Things to Look Out For

Finding mold in your home is a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Although mold might seem harmless if in a hidden area, it can cause significant damage to your home if left untreated. As mold grows, it can spread quickly, taking over walls and anything else in its path. 

Once it’s present, mold is difficult to remove without professional services. The effects of mold aren’t only on your home either. Mold growth can also cause those living in the home to experience heightened allergy symptoms and other health issues depending on the circumstances. 

No matter what your situation, know what causes mold growth so you can prevent it and stop it in its early stages. Continue reading below to learn about mold sources and mold prevention!

1. Moisture in the Home

Mold thrives in a moist environment. Moisture is needed for mold to grow inside a home. Whether there’s high humidity in the home or any dampness, mold will find its way there. 

You can check the humidity levels in your home and also search for signs of a leak. The longer the excess moisture issues continue, the worse the mold will get. Look in places where condensation is normal and keep in mind that mold can grow in hidden places, such as behind walls. 

2. Mold Spores

Mold spores aren’t visible to the naked eye. The spores travel in the air and can enter your home from outside. Air movement and contaminated materials can all transfer mold spores into your home. 

Although you can’t stop mold spores from entering your home through the air, you can keep it under control by ensuring there’s no excess moisture in your home or high humidity levels. 

3. Lack of Sunlight

The UV rays from natural sunlight kill mold. Where sunlight is present, mold won’t be able to thrive or spread. This is the reason why you find mold in dark, moist places, such as behind the walls, in the bathroom, or in the basement. 

Unfortunately, artificial lighting doesn’t have the same effect. If your home lacks a lot of natural sunlight in certain rooms, then these are the rooms to pay the most attention to. 

4. Warm Temperatures

Mold won’t thrive well in locations with cold temperatures. It also won’t do well in areas with temperatures that are too high. Instead, mold grows rapidly in warm, moist conditions. 

If you keep your home between the temperatures of 72-81 degrees Fahrenheit, then this could promote mold growth. Controlling your home’s temperature and humidity levels can help prevent mold from growing. 

Know What Causes Mold and Prevent It From Growing

When you know what causes mold, you can take the steps necessary to prevent it from growing. If you believe you have mold growing in your home, then don’t hesitate to contact a professional mold removal/remediation service. Handling mold in a safe manner and ensuring the home is completely mold-free is a job for professionals. 

At Big Easy Restoration, we offer mold remediation, water damage restoration, disinfection services, and odor removal. Contact us today to see how we can help you!