IS MOLD DAMAGE COMMON IN HOMES?

WHAT SHOULD I DO TO PREVENT MOULD

“The last thing you want is a house full of mold. But you can’t stop it.”

Moulds, like most fungi, break down plant and animal matter in the surroundings. They can grow anywhere there is humidity and organic matter, including soil, foods and plants, and people’s homes. To procreate, moulds release spores, which can be scattered through the air, water, or on animals.

HOW COMMON IS MOULD IN HOUSES?

Mold is highly widespread in structures and homes. Mold thrives in damp environments, such as surrounding leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or in areas where there has been flooding. Mold grows on paper, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood items. Mold can also develop in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, cloth, and upholstery, among many other things.

HOW DO MOULDS GET IN THE HOME ENVIRONMENT AND HOW DO THEY GROW?

Mold can be found indoors and outdoors. Mold can get into your home through open doors, windows, vents, and heating and cooling systems. Mold in the air can stick itself to clothing, shoes, and pets and be taken inside. Mold spores will grow if they land in areas where there is sufficient moisture, such as leaks in roofs, pipes, walls, plant pots, or areas where there has been flooding. Many building components contain nutrients that foster mould growth.

WHAT SHOULD I DO TO PREVENT MOULD FROM GROWING IN MY HOME?

“Mold growth in homes and buildings indicates that there is a water or moisture issue. This is the first problem to deal with.”

Identifying and controlling moisture and water issues is crucial to avoid mould growth. Mold spores are everywhere, including your house, and they can develop on any surface that is moist enough.

Common sources of moisture are:

• Roof leaking
• Indoor plumbing leaks
• Outdoor drainage issues
• Basements and crawl areas that are wet
• Steam from the bathroom or kitchen
• On chilly surfaces, condensation occurs.
• Humidifiers
• Wet clothes washing inside the home
• A clothes dryer venting indoors
• Insufficient or incorrect ventilation of heating and cooking appliances.

If you have an extensive amount of mould and you do not honestly believe you can handle the clean-up on your own, you may also want to consult a professional who has expertise in cleaning mould in buildings and homes.