Mold is not only dangerous for your family, but it can be damaging to your home as well. It is unsightly and difficult to remove. Left alone, it will begin to eat away at the very structure of your home, weakening the very boards that hold it all together.
Mold grows best in certain conditions, although species have adapted over time to grow in nearly every climate.
However, for most of the U.S. there are certain times of year and particular circumstances that are more inviting for mold growth. Learn more about them here:
Autumn: Mold’s Favorite Climate
Mold can grow anytime and just about anywhere, indoors or outside, and in a range of temperatures. Given its preferences, though, mold with thrive in the following conditions:
- Moisture – Moisture is the biggie. Water, humidity, condensation…all of these can attract mold to an area and give it the moisture it needs to grow a large colony.
- Warm temperatures – Mold grows best within the temperature range that we find most comfortable as well — the temperatures we set our household thermostats to. That makes our homes an inviting place for mold all year long.
- Organic matter – Mold will eat literally anything that was once living, from wood to cardboard, carpet fibers, or dust. Again, a mold colony inside your home won’t have to search to find at least one food source.
If these things are present, it’s likely that mold is, to.
Why Mold is Worst in the Spring?
As you can see, our temperature-controlled homes are a perfect environment for mold all year long. But the weather can determine how risky mold growth is during different times of the year.
Spring is the time of year when the conditions above are met nearly every day, so it’s when mold typically appears inside homes. Outdoors, you’ll see mold in garages, on concrete, and on home exteriors more often in the spring as well.
Mold that appears during the spring can thrive throughout the summer and well into fall, depending on where you live. This gives a colony ample time to establish itself. But you aren’t out of the woods when winter arrives. Unfortunately, mold can become dormant during the winter and begin growing again when spring comes back around. The cycle of mold growth never ends for many homeowners.
Springtime Mold Prevention Tips
Preventing mold isn’t really the goal. Moisture is actually the reason most mold problems start.
Leaky faucet or toilet, high humidity, spills, pet accidents: these are all causes of excess moisture in a home and potential sources of mold growth.
Mold spores in the air adhere to these wet areas and begin reproducing immediately. A mold colony releases new spores continuously, which can spread to other parts of your home before you know it.
So, to prevent springtime mold, it’s important to look for signs of moisture first. If you see signs of mold, it’s too late for prevention measures. Instead, you’ll need to talk to a mold removal company about getting rid of mold and repairing any damages it may have caused.
Below we’ll look at some of the ways to head off moisture and mold problems that occur in the spring
How to Prevent Mold in the Spring?
Now that you understand how moisture can quickly lead to mold growth, we’ll share our best tips for preventing moisture issues that lead to mold.
- Keep a close eye on moisture-prone areas like the bathroom, basement and attic. Mold is most likely to start in these areas, primarily because of the higher humidity. Most early stages of mold can be wiped away with bleach cleaner. Once a mold colony has spread, it will be necessary to hire a mold removal company to get rid of it.
- Use your nose as well as your eyes. Mold has a distinct smell, but even before it takes over an area, you’ll notice a musty, stale quality to the air. Don’t ignore it! By sniffing the air frequently — and being honest about what you smell — you might catch hidden mold before it becomes visible.
- Clean up spills immediately. Even the moisture from a spilled glass of water or a pet accident can lead to mold, especially when the weather outside is warm and damp. If needed, run a dehumidifier in the room where a spill has occurred if you couldn’t get all the moisture out (like in carpet).
- Control your spring cleaning urges. We’re not saying you can’t clean, but just be mindful of how much water you’re using. Cleaning with excessive amounts of water can introduce unintended moisture into your home. Use water sparingly when cleaning, especially when mopping wood and tile floors, which are porous and perfect for mold.
Schedule an In-Home Mold Inspection This Spring!
If you already see mold, you’re going to have to get it removed, probably by a professional. But you still have to get to the bottom of why it’s there. Cracks in the walls, leaks behind the wall, and plumbing issues are just a few of the things that can lead to mold in your home.
When in doubt, you can always schedule a professional mold inspection from Pure Maintenance of St. Louis to check your home for water leaks or excess humidity. We understand the risk of excess moisture in a home, especially during the spring, and how quickly it can lead to mold.
PMSTL knows all the places water likes to hide, so their search will be faster and more efficient than the average homeowner’s.
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