During the winter months, your main goal is to keep the cold out and the warmth in. You button up your house, insulate thoroughly, and seal off drafts and areas of heat loss… In all of your efforts to keep the cold out, often you could be creating ideal conditions for Mold Growth inside your home! Don’t worry though, you truly CAN have the best of both worlds, and here are some tips for doing just that!
While many homeowners associate mold growth with summer months and the warm weather that comes with them, the temperature you keep your home at during the winter months is likely just as comfortable for mold growth to develop! It’s important to realize that the primary requirement for mold growth is not summer warmth, but moisture. As a result, any area where moisture has been trapped or is allowed to collect can result in mold growth, and the act of sealing up your home for winter can increase the potential for this to occur.
Where does the moisture come from?
• Water infiltration from roof leaks and other structural issues is very common and can be the result of storm damage to shingles or exterior surfaces. Additionally, winter weather can result in roof leaks from Ice Dams or an excessive accumulation of snow.
• Condensation collecting on pipes, which are colder than the warmer interior of your home, can create the perfect environment for mold growth in basements, wall cavities, or under your sink.
• Pipe Breaks and other forms of Water Damage can cause significant damages that will require a professional Mitigation Company such as Disaster Blaster to ensure the property is dried thoroughly and completely, preventing potential for mold growth.
• Humidity from bathing and showering or cooking can collect on ceilings and other materials, resulting in mold growth on these surfaces. This is particularly common on Bathroom ceilings.
What can I do to prevent mold growth?
The easiest way to prevent mold growth is to reduce or eliminate moisture that may accumulate in your home. Here are some solutions to common moisture problems.
• Ensure areas of your home prone to high humidity, such as the Bathroom and Kitchen, are properly exhausted to the outside. Exhausting into attic spaces is a common cause of mold growth and is not recommended.
• Check your home regularly for moisture issues and leaks that may result in mold growth. Specifically check attics and basements, and correct any moisture issues promptly.
• Inspect your roof periodically, looking for any signs of damage or stress. Things to look for include lifted shingles, bowing or uneven roof lines, and any signs of water intrusion inside your home.
• Before the winter weather hits, make sure to clean rain gutters, as blocked gutters can allow snow and ice to collect on the edge of your roof, potentially causing Ice Dams and other damage.
• Replace weather stripping on doors and windows that may allow moisture to enter your home, and caulk cracks and gaps that you may find in the structure.
• Insulate pipes to prevent freezing and keep an eye out for any leaks that may occur after periods of freezing temperatures. Pay particular attention to pipes that are along exterior walls. Should a Pipe Break occur, call the experts at Disaster Blaster, who will be happy to assist you and can ensure proper drying of your property.
At Disaster Blaster, we try to help our customers with preventative maintenance measures as well as being there for you if something goes wrong. If you have any questions, you can now chat with our experts online through the webpage or call your local Disaster Blaster!
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