Top 7 Common Causes of Mold in Your House

Have you found or do you suspect mold in your home? You're right to be concerned. The slimy, streaky, tell-tale signs of mold often appear in bathrooms, the kitchen, or other damp areas. You may not even see it at first, but you can smell it: that musty, earthy smell that tells you something isn't right.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, there is a direct link between mold in the home and upper respiratory symptoms including coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. For those individuals with asthma or immune-related conditions, the symptoms can be even worse.

The EPA offers several suggestions to get rid of mold, but at the core of all of them is controlling moisture. In this article, we'll look at signs, causes and steps to take to get rid of mold in and around your home.

Common signs of mold growth in house

• A persistent earthy, musty smell that can also smell like rotten vegetables in certain places of your home.
• Visible mold growth that may look like black or brown spots, or fuzzy patches. Different types of mold have different appearances. It can look slimy, powdery or speckled.
• Allergic or respiratory symptoms including wheezing, coughing, sneezing or eye and skin irritation.
• Bubbling paint or peeling wallpaper caused by mold growing underneath or behind the affected area, breaking up the adhesive properties of the paper or flooring.

If you're not sure whether or not it's mold, it's a good idea to work with a professional mold inspection company like Mold Act to identify potential mold growth and take steps to clean and prevent it.

What are the causes of mold in the house

Mold thrives in damp, humid areas and can occur virtually anywhere in your home. We've identified here the seven most common causes of mold in the house. Our mold specialists look for signs of mold growth in house and around your home, concentrating on the key culprits, including:

1. Damp basements Because basements are generally located below ground level, they are more humid than other areas of the home. Poor drainage or cracks in the walls and floors can let water seep in which makes it easy for mold spores to nestle in and grow.
2. High humidity areas Humid areas like kitchens and baths can also be hotspots for mold growth. Mold needs moisture in order to grow and the condensation caused by humidity offers the perfect setting for mold to spread.
3. Leaky water pipes Because mold needs moisture to grow, leaky water pipes are like an all-you-can-eat buffet for mold spores, providing constant moisture that allows them to reproduce and spread. Oftentimes, leaky pipes aren't noticed until the mold has gotten out of control and the aforementioned symptoms start popping up.
4. Leaking-damaged roofs Like leaky pipes, leaky roofs create condensation for the mold to feast on. In addition, building materials around the roof like insulation and drywall provide small moisture pockets where mold can then spread to other parts of the home.
5. Ventilation issues A lack of ventilation means reduced airflow, which in turn traps moisture and increases humidity and condensation; all ingredients that create the perfect environment for mold to thrive in.
6. Missing insulation In addition to acting as a barrier to prevent warm, humid air from reaching cooler surfaces, insulation also helps keep moisture out which makes it more difficult for mold to grow. Areas where insulation is missing can become a hotbed for mold growth.
7. Ceiling damage Ceiling damage, whether from a leaky roof, inclement weather or plumbing leaks, lets water in which creates an environment that's perfect for mold growth. In addition, the moisture from damaged building materials like wood or drywall, can also create habitable pockets for mold in the house. Unfortunately, even if you address these concerns, there's still the issue of getting rid of the existing mold and preventing more mold and mildew buildup from occurring.

Prevention of Mold in the Home

Prevention is key to getting rid of mildew and mold. Fix leaks promptly, use dehumidifiers and keep your HVAC systems running smoothly to ensure proper temperature balance and ventilation while discouraging humidity.

If you've already found mold in the house, it's best to call a professional mold remediation service like Mold Act to thoroughly investigate and treat the area.

How Rid Your House of Mildew and Mold

Now that you know the causes of mold, how do you get rid of it? Do-it-yourself mold removal can be potentially dangerous and harmful to your health. Mold releases spores called mycotoxins which can aggravate respiratory issues or weak immune systems. What's more, trying to get rid of mold yourself may actually cause the mold to spread. Depending on where you live, it may even be a violation of local laws or regulations to try to remove mold or mildew yourself without hiring a professional mold remediation company.

Contact Mold Act Today for All Your Mold Removal Needs

Our comprehensive mold remediation services eliminate mold using the latest professional-grade equipment and supplies. Our experienced team is licensed, insured, and certified to handle multiple types of mold removal while helping to address the core causes of mold infestation. If your property has already been damaged by mold, we can help restore it and get it looking like new again, quickly and professionally.

Contact us today at 877-660-0430 to book an appointment with our licensed mold remediation specialists. We work with both residential and commercial clients and ensure thorough, knowledgeable and professional service every step of the way.