Moisture, Mildew, Mold and Your Home

Moisture, mildew, and mold… with one present the others are sure to follow. For the outdoors, these terms are a natural part of the environment but for the indoors, these terms aren’t acceptable. Why should this matter to you now? If your home has had water damage caused by this winter’s extreme weather, chances are the freezing and thawing process has broken down the shingles and gutter system on your home. Spring has sprung and the rains are just beginning. Any damage to the exterior of your home from the winter will allow rain to creep into spaces and cause wood, insulation, and other materials on the exterior and interior of your home to become saturated with moisture and water. This will in turn, cause spores to begin growing, digesting, and destroying your home.

Mold and mildew growth is best when there is excess water and moisture from leaky roofs, high humidity, or where flooding was present. Mold and mildew can grow on almost any surface, including wood, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, paints, carpet, sheet rock, and insulation. There isn’t a way to get completely rid of mold spores, but by keeping your home dry, you can decrease the mold and mildew growth.

What can be done to prevent the growth of mold in your home? If your home has had water damage, make sure to have that area dried as soon as possible; use fans to keep the air circulating and open windows and doors to increase air flow. Clean and dry or replace water damaged carpets and upholstered furniture within 24 to 48 hours. Check windows for condensation and water droplets, and wipe them up right away. Contact a roofing professional to have your shingles, gutters, and attic ventilation and insulation system evaluated.

Signs to watch for when checking for growth, when you can smell a “musty” odor or when small black or white specks are visible, those areas are infected. Mold and mildew can be found growing along walls where warm moist air condenses on cooler wall surfaces, and in areas where there is both high water usage and humidity, such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements. If mold is present, act fast, the longer mold and mildew is left untreated, the more damage it can cause. If you clean up the mold, but don’t fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back.

Mold and mildew cannot grow without moisture and is usually a symptom of a larger problem. If you cannot determine the source of moisture causing the mold, contact a professional consultant. Not only will you have a cleaner interior environment but you will have a healthy and worry-free home.