Spring Can Cause Mold Growth in Toronto

The best part of the spring months is seeing our yards begin to bloom, bud, and grow green again. But all that water from rain and melting snow can also cause mold growth in spring in Toronto which can cause a great deal of trouble down the road. Mold growth in spring is precipitated by an excess of moisture in the air and in the ground as well as rising temperatures, making it important to keep your eyes peeled for any unusual water in your home.

April Showers Bring May… Mold?

Mold growth in spring in Toronto homes can be a big problem because of increased levels of moisture in the environment. During the winter, the colder temperatures help keep your indoor environment dryer, but once the season begins to change, the rising temperature plus snow, rain, and humidity, can create the perfect conditions for mold growth in your home. The key ingredient for mold growth is water, and spring’s overabundance means that some of it inevitably make its way into your home. 

How the Outdoors Affects the Indoors?

A soggy outdoors can have a big effect on indoor mold growth in spring. Not only is that extra water making its way inside on your clothes, shoes, and with your pets, but it may also be sneaking into parts of your home affected by age, damage, or exterior problems. Melting snow may get stuck in improperly cleaned eaves or on the roof and make its way into the attic; winter damage to roof shingles may become apparent when you spring a leak; your basement may become unusually damp or even wet because the ground outside is oversaturated with water. Whatever the reason, that extra moisture is bad news for your home and needs to be fixed before it causes trouble.

Controlling Moisture Inside Your Home

The best way to prevent mold growth in spring is to control the amount of moisture that is entering your home. Some things you can do are:

• Clean out your gutters and repair any damage
• Fix indoor water leaks from taps or pipes - even a single drip can magnify into a bigger problem with time
• Turn on ceiling and exhaust fans to help move air around and get humid air out
• Route downspouts well away from your home’s foundation
• Monitor trouble spots and do a thorough check of your attic, basement, or crawlspace.

Regularly monitoring spots that you know are affected by the weather or have caused trouble in the past is a great way to get ahead of mold growth in spring and ensure that if any new problems arise, you’re well ahead of the curve.

Removing Mold if You Spot It

If you find mold growing, the best thing to do is to call a mold professional. Mold can be an incredibly persistent problem and is impossible to thoroughly remove with household cleaners. Mold usually presents as dark coloured stain or fuzz on an organic material, and it can cause a lot of discomfort for you and your family. The worst part is that mold growth in spring may be completely invisible - it could be growing behind a wall or under a carpet. In that case, the only sign you may have a problem is an allergic reaction.

Dealing with mold promptly is the only way to ensure it doesn’t get out of control as the environment warms up. If you think you may have a problem with mold growth in spring in Toronto, give us a call at MoldTech and we’ll help you make sure your home is comfortable and safe this season.