How Is Mold Getting Into Your Home?
Three things that promote mold growth inside your home: moisture, poor ventilation, and organic materials. It’s usually the last thing that MoldTech treats during mold remediation in Toronto; mold grows on organic materials like wood, paper, and textiles, which are used throughout the home as construction materials or in our furnishing and objects. Black mold removal will prevent these items from getting damaged, but better still is prevention — in today’s article, we’ll share how and when mold enters your home, why it takes root, and what you can do to prevent it.
Common Ways Mold Enters and Grows in Your Home
Mold gets into your home through many different routes. Some of the common ways the MoldTech team finds include:
Airborne spores.
Spores get into your home through open windows and doors, on clothes, shoes, or pets, and through cracks or gaps in the walls or roofing. Once inside, these spores can linger in your HVAC system and be hard to eradicate.
Water leaks and plumbing issues.
Moisture ensures mold can grow, and leaks from pipes, the roof, or appliances may create hidden pockets of moisture. Areas commonly affected include under sinks, behind walls, and around water heaters.
High humidity.
Commonly found alongside leaks or other moisture issues, high humidity is often found in at-risk areas like bathrooms, basements, and kitchens. To reduce your risk of mold growth, it’s best to keep your humidity controlled at 50%.
Flooding and water damage.
Mold can begin to grow within 24-48 hours after a significant flood or leak. Drywall, carpets, and furniture can all trap moisture and trigger infestations in the following days.
Poor Ventilation.
Air movement helps dry up moisture and reduce humidity. Increasing airflow in key areas like the bathroom or basement may help prevent mold.
Mold on household items.
Mold can also enter your home through furnishings, clothing, shoes, or boxes that have been stored outdoors or in attics and basements.
Signs Mold is Growing in Your Home
Mold makes subtle signs that point to its presence in your home. Some, like its distinct odour, are easy to detect, but others can be harder to spot by the untrained eye. When assessing a home during mold testing, MoldTech generally looks out for things like:
- Visible mold growth: patches, stains, or discolouration can indicate an active infestation.
- An earthy, musty odour that is present in certain areas.
- High humidity readings.
- Evidence of past or recent floods or leaks.
- Symptoms like coughing, headaches, and respiratory complaints.
- Walls or ceilings with condensation.
- Problems with heating or cooling.
- Exhaust fans that lead into attics.
How to Prevent Mold From Entering and Spreading in Your Home
Prevention is the most important part of our job at MoldTech; most mold infestations are preventable with a few lifestyle changes around the home. When we do black mold removal we like to ensure our clients know how to prevent a repeat visit. Some of the most common advice our team gives out includes:
Tips for controlling indoor humidity.
Whether this is installing a dehumidifier in the basement or using an exhaust fan to remove hot and steamy air, we’ll give you our best tips for reducing humidity to prevent mold growth.
Fixing leaks and preventing condensation.
Pipes don’t need to be gushing to trigger a mold infestation — even a tiny but persistent single drip may be all it takes. We’ll inspect pipes, appliances, and areas that commonly leak and suggest repairs or improvements to reduce your risk. One thing we often recommend is to insulate pipes to prevent condensation, which can have the safe effect as a drip or leak.
Improve ventilation.
Fresh air makes humans happy and mold unhappy. Move the air in your home using fans, open windows, or your HVAC. Areas like the basement or crawlspace may benefit from round-the-clock ventilation, while other spaces, like above the stove, may need help during activities like cooking.
Regular cleaning and inspection of high-risk areas.
Cleaning really is one of the best ways to prevent mold — you can’t see them, but you’ll be vacuuming, mopping, and sweeping away spores that can spark an infestation. Regular maintenance of high-risk areas can help you identify changes that signal emergent infestations.
Working with MoldTech for a Mold-Free Home
Preventing mold spores from entering your home is next to impossible, but not every spore is an infestation waiting to happen. When it does, MoldTech is ready to help you with professional mold remediation in Toronto. With over a decade in business, we will safely and efficiently eliminate mold infestations in your home and help you prevent future infestations, too. To learn more or book a visual mold inspection in your home, use our Contact Us page to get in touch.
