Spring Temperature creates moisture and Mold Growth!
Mold removal and remediation companies know that spring and summer warm humid weather spawns musty odors from mold. Mold is a fungus that thrives in humid moist conditions inside and outside, on damp materials and various types of food nutrients like drywall and wood.
Mold growth and its development is affected by warmer temperatures, so in the spring and summer one can expect to see or smell mold. Hot weather encourages mold growth and while air conditioning will decrease your property’s interior temperature there often remains warm areas inside cabinets and closets that trap moisture and humidity with no way for the air to circulate out. Mold remediation companies will tell you that poor ventilation encourages mold growth. Without good ventilation in attics and roofs hot air can rise, get trapped and turn into condensation that can lead to water and mold.
Most of us are very familiar with mold and mildew in bathrooms or kitchens and regularly use extraction fans to increase air ventilation. As steamy temperatures rise mold is more likely to thrive. However, in reality mold grows in a wide range of temperatures and will thrive in damp colder spaces with lower temperatures like basements too. Mold will grow in all four seasons, spring, summer, fall and winter, as long as it has moisture, (water).
Mold needs moisture to survive. Moisture is often created inside by condensation, as when warm steamy air from baths and showers meet up with cold surfaces like windows and countertops. Air from hot steamy kitchens or room humidifiers also create condensation whereby water vapor turns to liquid. Furthermore, there is another form of moisture that can arise. Water leaks from taps, toilets, baths, sinks, appliances, drains and pipes all score high as reliable moisture-makers for mold to grow and fester.
Whether moisture comes from high temperatures or low, from humidity or condensation, from a leaking tap or appliance, the water source must be found and fixed in order to stop mold from growing.
Sometimes the water leak and growing mold is not visible because it resides behind a wall. It could be from cracked pipes that sometimes are the result of insufficient insulation. Freezing temperatures in the winter can cause water in pipes to freeze and expand forcing internal pressure on the pipes that cause them to crack. When the freezing thaws the running water leaks out the cracks that have formed in the broken pipes offering a continuous and reliable source of moisture for mold to flourish unseen by human eyes.
Leaking pipes behind walls are situations that can easily go unnoticed until the unmistakable odor of mold reveals itself and the telltale signs of frothing mold stains the walls, floors or ceilings. It takes the skills of trained restoration and mold remediation experts to efficiently conduct a building inspection that will reveal the exact location of the water source that is causing mold to grow. GTA Restoration. is an experienced company that will conduct mold testing, mold removal and the necessary building contracting to ensure that problems with the building construction are no longer the source of moisture for mold to grow. Some mold companies will simply conduct an inspection and then provide you with a list of recommendations to help prevent mold from returning once it has been removed. This leaves you exposed and vulnerable to future mold growth and an ongoing source of continuous outbreaks because the structural problems resulting in water leaks have not been corrected.
Here is a list of suggestions that will help prevent mold from growing:
- Replace cracked pipes
- Wrap pipes with insulation
- Wrap water tanks with insulation
- Prevent melted snow and rainwater from pooling around the foundations and entering the home by making sure the ground slopes away from the property.
- Clean and repair regularly the eaves troughs, roof gutters and downspouts to ensure they are connected and working properly.
- Take rainwater and melted snow away from the property by installing downspout extensions.
- Allow warm air to circulate around exterior walls by positioning furniture and belongings away from the walls
- Check basement windows for leaks and prevent water from seeping through all windows frames by ensuring the seals and closures work.
- In the cold months check windowsills regularly for condensation or moisture and wipe dry the wet surface.
- Avoid drying laundry by hanging indoors.
- Use air conditioners and dehumidifiers during humid weather
- Keep your home warm and dry in cold temperatures and cool in hot weather while ensuring good air circulation and ventilation.
- Vacuum carpets and furniture often with HEPA filter vacuum cleaners
- Open blinds and curtains in rooms during the day to let the natural light in because mold thrives in dark spaces. Allowing sunlight in to reduce the chances of mold growing
- Rooms or areas that are cold and dark can become damp and moldy.
- Use a dehumidifier to reduce moisture from condensation
- Open windows to breezes and increased air ventilation
- Close windows during rain showers
- Keep exhaust fans clean to reduce dust and food particles
- Call GTA Restoration Inc. Tel. 416-358-6666 an expert in mold removal and restoration to identify the sources of mold growth
