What Causes Mold Growth?

7/13/2018 (Permalink)

Mold Removal

What Mold Needs to Grow

Mold Growth Conditions :

• Darkness (mold can't grow under ultraviolet light)
• Warmth (mold can't grow in freezing temperatures)
• Oxygen
• Moisture (eg water leaks, humidity)
• Enough time (most molds can begin to grow in 24-48 hours if the conditions are right)

Humidity Causes Mold

If you live where humidity in the air is naturally high, like near the coast or another large body of water, then mold growth in your home can also be a recurring problem.

When moisture inside your house evaporates into the air it increases the humidity indoors. If your home isn't well ventilated then the humidity will stay high for a long time.

HVAC systems can also create humidity problems while it artificially heats or cools the air.

Sometimes people use humidifiers in their homes. But there are molds that only need the humidity level to be higher than 55% to start growing. Be sure to keep the humidity below 55%.

High humidity feeds mold. High humidity can also causes puddles of water and damp materials in the home take longer to dry out. These wet surfaces can in turn create mold growth of their own.

Poor Ventilation Causes Mold

Poor ventilation can create pockets of stagnant moist air which mold thrives in. Steam and water evaporating into the air creates humidity inside which then needs to be circulated outdoors through windows to keep the moisture level balanced.

Poor ventilation also means wet surfaces dry out slowly. Ventilation is especially important in rooms such as the bathroom and the kitchen where there is a lot of steam.

Mold Growth in Basements 

Basements often contain higher amounts of moisture or humidity than other rooms because they are usually not well ventilated. Basements are often colder which causes more condensation leading to damp and humid conditions

When water leaks in your home it will often end up running down to the basement. Not only is mold more likely to grow in basements, but because they are usually neglected mold growth may not be discovered until it is well set in.

If you have questions regarding mold please contact us at 303-576-6868.