How to Prevent Mold Growth in the Winter Months?

The cold months bring a host of seasonal tasks and responsibilities for the homeowner, and preventing mold in the winter should be one of them. It may seem counterintuitiheve to have to consider mold growth in the winter months - many of us associate mold with humidity and warmth which is not something we generally think of in January (unless we’re on vacation somewhere south!). But the fact of the matter is that mold can often grow just as well or even better during the winter because of a few key reasons.

Mold grows in warm and moist environenments like your kitchen, bathroom, attic or basement

One reason is simple - we have the heat on and our homes become closed environments. Preventing mold in the winter is often about ensuring this heat can be safely routed out of your home so it can’t collect and form condensation in the rooms of your home. As warmed air travels through you home, it collects moisture from your kitchen, bathroom, or other sources of water. When warm air hits a cold exterior wall, like in your basement or attic, condensation can form.

Mold prefers to grow in temperatures around 20 degrees celsius, but certain types will happily grow in spaces as cold as 0 and as warm as 50. When that warm air condenses on a cool wall, mold has both food and water within reach and can begin to form within 48 hours. One of the most common places for this to happen in the home is your attic. Especially when the attic is under insulated or poorly sealed, warm air from the rooms below can fill it, where moisture in that air reacts with the cold roof sheathing or joists. Because the attic is infrequently used or checked on, mold can grow undisturbed for months before it’s noticed.

Prevention tips for winter mold growth

When preventing mold in the winter, you should also pay attention to exhaust fans in your bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room. Ensure these fans aren’t routing up into your attic and are vented to the outdoors so that excess moisture is kept out of your home will go a long way in preventing mold from taking hold in these spaces.

Because water is the key element for successful mold growth and it’s easily available all year round, it’s important to notice it when you find excessive moisture collecting around you home. For example - condensation on the windows may seem harmless, but the wood or drywall around that window frame may be absorbing that water, leading to mold growth and damage behind the walls.

When preventing mold in the winter, being aware of potential problems and sources of indoor moisture is one the biggest advantages a homeowner has. If you suspect you have mold growth or find some, don’t wait until spring to solve the problem - call a professional at MoldTech to assess the situation. With over ten years of experience in the mold removal and remediation business, we can accurately and thoroughly locate mold growth and offer you removal solutions to safely clean it up. Preventing mold in the winter will help ensure your home is safe all year round; call us today at 1-866-684-7684 for more information about our products and services.