There’s no place where mold won’t thrive. In fact, mold is at its zenith when people aren’t checking the area regularly. By the time it’s found, damage is visible and difficult to reverse in DIY mode. Additionally, as long as these ingredients are available, mold can grow anywhere, anyplace, and anytime.
A Wet Location
Call it moisture, water, or condensation and mold will call it home. Mold loves water so much that it begins to grow within two days if left unattended. Wet locations don’t have to be a spill. It can be water damage, leaky pipes, foundation cracks, humidity, poor summer/winter insulation and water items (e.g., hoses, sprinklers, and inflatable pools). Common rooms for wetness are the basement, kitchen, bathroom, and laundry rooms, so do a thorough check in these rooms. Clean any wetness and add ventilation.
A Breeding Ground
Mold needs something to stick to, so the best places to thrive is on carbon-based materials such as fabrics, wood, and drywall. This leads to mold growing on wood and drywall based walls, floors, ceilings, windows, doors, wallpaper, and basements. It also leads to mold growing on pillows, bedding, couch covers, draperies, and clothes. Likewise, it grows in unreachable places like attics, roofs, crawlspaces, and insulation. For unreachable places, hire a mold professional to analyze the home.
A Controllable Temperature
For some mold breeds, temperature determines survival. These breeds thrive in winter or summer season, and both seasons experience extreme temperature levels. While it’s beneficial to search for mold year round, checking during the winter months and during the summer months will prevent certain breeds from developing. Luckily, the temperature is controllable indoors through insulation, HVACs, thermostats, and ventilation. Additionally, check HVACs, ventilation, and insulation as mold can develop in those areas.
A Breath of Life
Oxygen is the heartbeat for mold to breed, spread, and rot because mold is an organism requiring oxygen to breathe. Without oxygen, mold cannot multiply or spread mold spores to other breeding grounds. Sadly, oxygen is in abundant supply because humans need oxygen to live. This is one ingredient that is unavoidable.
Round-the-clock monitoring is mandatory. Daily checkups of the floor, walls, ceilings, and wet-based areas in high-traffic, low-traffic, and rarely checked areas can prevent mold. Don’t give it a chance to spread and rot the areas it touches. Neutralize it with mold remediation. Remove major and minor mold in the home so it doesn’t return. Still, it’s imperative to continue round-the-clock monitoring for lasting results.
