Why Does Mold Grow? What Can I Do?
When most people think of molds, they usually picture the tiny black specks that appear on shower curtains or tiles and in the corners of surfaces that are moist. While many people recognize the existence of these harmless molds, they are actually more dangerous than most people think. In fact, mold is a common and ever-occurring problem in homes all over the world. However, not many people know why does mold grow, what it will do to your health, and how to get rid of it.
Mold grows when there is an excess of moisture in the air. It thrives during the winter months because that’s when the humidity is at its highest point. If you live in a warm climate, you are more likely to have mold grow in your home. For example, mold can form on windowsills, counter tops, kitchen countertops, shower curtains, bathroom ceilings, and even attics during the winter months. If you have any of these things around windows in your home, you are more likely to have a mold problem than someone who doesn’t have these things around their house.
Mold also loves to grow in places with poor air circulation such as around sinks, tubs, grills, hot water heaters, and in basements. Mold likes to grow on metal, especially sheet metal. Mold will also grow on tiles, countertops, and baseboards as well as wood and carpet. Many people clean windows with soapy water in order to remove any dirt and moisture that may be around the glass. Unfortunately, this cleaning process removes all of the moisture that mold needs to grow. Without moisture, mold grows and can become a huge problem for anyone in your home.
Now that you understand what mold grows and why it can be such a threat, you should know how to prevent it from growing in your home. One of the best ways to keep mold from forming in your home is to make sure that the area is always dry. Moisture is the food source for mold. In order to create a dry atmosphere you need to make sure that you have a good exhaust fan, adequate ventilation, and make sure that you keep the room at a right temperature.
Mold likes to grow in areas where there is either no air or a bad supply of air. If you constantly allow your house to draft, you are encouraging mold growth because mold needs a food source in order to survive. The ideal scenario is to leave the windows and doors open, even if it is a little cold outside and to ventilate your home as much as possible.
When it comes to cleaning up mold on your home’s surfaces, you should take the proper steps. First of all, you should never wash clothes using hot water. Washing clothes with hot water will cause the item to become a food source for mold, so you should never wash clothes using this method. Second of all, you should make sure that any items hanging in your closet are clean, because mold likes to grow on damp surfaces. You should also keep an eye on your shoes and make sure that they are dry before putting them away or taking them off of the closet.
Another important step to preventing mold from growing is to remove humidity from the air. Mold loves to grow in areas where there is a lack of moisture. If you have an enclosed space, such as a basement, mold will grow because it is a food source for the fungus. If you do not have an air purifier in your home, you should get one as soon as possible, because mold needs moisture in order to grow properly. By removing the moisture, you are preventing mold from growing, but if you don’t have an air purifier, you need to purchase one.
In addition to keeping mold growth to a minimum, you can also lower the amount of money that you have to spend on heating costs. Moisture helps mold grow, because the higher the levels of moisture you have in your home, the faster the mold grows. The average living space in the United States has a maximum of 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything more than that and mold could start to affect your health. In addition to the monetary cost of heating and cooling costs, you will also have to pay for your groceries and other consumables that are bought in your grocery store because of mold growth.
