How Mold Grows and Spreads Inside Homes
Mold does not appear instantly, but it spreads fast, hence it likes wet and damp places and places that are not well ventilated, like bathrooms, basements, and wall backings. Unknown mold spores could begin to multiply and spread in the air of your home, polluting the air you breathe, the surfaces you touch, and the safety you depend on in 24 to 48 hours.
You will find out in this article how mold grows and spreads in your home. We will divide it into simple steps, easy to understand, so that you can learn to identify the early signs, what triggers it, and how to be smart enough to guard your space.
This is something you need to know, before mold gets out of control, and you are concerned about your home and your health.
Today, we will be showing you how mold grows and spreads inside homes, and how you can get rid of it.
Common Causes of Mold Inside Homes
Water can get into a home in a lot of different ways and form damp areas. Such wet spaces may develop mold when not repaired in time.
Here are some common causes:
- Walls and ceilings may become wet due to roof or window leaks, which promotes the growth of molds.
- Leaking and bursting pipes pour water in obscure places where mould grows very easily.
- Wet clothes or towels in the house raise humidity, which provides the appropriate environment to allow mold to develop.
- Rain or broken pipes cause the surface to remain wet enough to allow the development of mold.
- Without adequate air circulation, moisture remains stagnant following showers and it enables molds to develop on surfaces.
- Cooking or shower unvented steam can accumulate on walls and provide food to mold spores.
- Poor airflow in basements and crawlspaces makes them a good place to grow molds.
There are times when you do not even notice that something is wet until you see some mold begin to form. That is why it is necessary to check the home regularly.
Where Mold Grows in the Home
Mold tends to develop in places lacking sufficient airflow and water or moisture. It can begin in tiny locations that can be overlooked.
Common mold-prone areas include:
- Behind or under bathroom tiles
- Around bathtubs and showers
- On walls near windows
- Anti-corrosion coating in the air conditioning units.
- On walls and ceilings, and room angles.
- Under carpets or rugs
- In cellars or wash-houses.
- Closets that are not ventilated.
There can be some visible molding, and other molding may be lurking behind the walls or under the floor.
How Mold Grows and Spreads Inside Homes
The spread of the mold occurs in small particles termed spores. These spores are sent into the air and may move from room to room without your detection.
These spores begin to grow when they fall on a wet or damp surface. The larger the mould, the more spores it produces – and the more rapidly it propagates.
The following are some of the typical modes of spread of mold:
- By air vents or HVAC.
- By holding on to your clothes or shoes
- By open door or window.
- By attaching to pets’ fur
- Inside moving boxes or furniture from one room to another
When you have one room with mold, then you are likely to have it next room again, unless you can stop it early.
Signs That Mold is Growing or Spreading
Not all mold is easy to spot. It may not even be seen sometimes. But your body or your house may provide you with warning signs.
Look out for these signs:
- A strong, musty odor
- Dark spots on walls, ceilings, or corners.
- Painting or peeling off or bubbling paint or wallpaper.
- Moist or wet spots on walls or floors.
- Sneezing, coughing, or a stuffy nose in the house.
- Red, swollen eyes or rashes on the skin.
- Difficulty breathing, particularly in asthmatic people.
Mold may be the reason why you or your family members become ill only when you are at home.
Why Mold is a Serious Problem
What begins as a small spot can easily develop into a large infestation behind your walls, under your flooring, or within your ceiling.
Mold causes health risks in the form of:
- Breathing problems
- Persistent coughing or sneezing.
- Skin irritation or rashes
- Fatigue or headaches
- Allergic reactions
- Asthma attacks
- Chest tightness or wheezing
- Eye or throat irritation
A higher chance of being affected is in children, older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with weak immune systems.
Mold can also destroy wood, carpets, insulation, and walls in homes. When not treated, it may compromise the structure of your home and cost you thousands of dollars to repair.
How to Stop Mold from Growing
Preventing the growth of mold is the most appropriate way to deal with it. When mold has started spreading, it is far more difficult–and costly–to eliminate.
It is simpler and healthier to keep it out of the house and out of your system.
Simple steps to manage moisture, improve ventilation, and monitor where spots are at risk can help you avoid mold formation before it can grow and cause damage that might require an expert to fix.
Some steps you can take to prevent mold include the following:
- Wipe up spills immediately. Wet clothes should not be left lying around.
- It may either be a pipe leak or a roof leak; fix it now.
- Switch on the fans in the bathroom and kitchen in order to ventilate the area.
- Open the air. It is good to have airflow.
- These remove the extra moisture in the air, especially during rainy seasons.
- Open the chests, furniture, corners, etc. to examine whether there is any moisture or mould.
- Wipe or dust very often to prevent the accumulation of mould spores.
The following are the simple measures that may assist in the prevention of mold in your house.
Can You Clean Mold Yourself?
You can clean them yourself on very small areas of mould, e.g. on tiles or on shower curtains. Use light soap, vinegar, or baking soda. Also, put on gloves and a face mask at all times to avoid inhalation of the spores.
But be careful. When the mold is more than 3 feet across or is in the walls, ceilings, or HVAC system, you are not supposed to attempt to clean it yourself.
You could even increase the severity of the situation by disseminating the spores or inhaling them.
When to Call a Professional Mold Remediation Service
In some cases, mold is too harmful or too big to deal with yourself.
Call a professional if:
- The mold covers a large area
- You cannot tell where the moisture is.
- The mold continues to recur following cleaning.
- You or your family are ill at home.
- You have had water damage or flooding.
- The mould is within your air ducts or walls.
The mold will be identified, completely removed, and prevented by a certified mold remediation expert. They also possess the right equipment to ensure that your home and family is safe..
Why You Shouldn’t Wait
Mold will never go away on its own. The longer you wait to fix it, the more it spreads and the more expensive it will be to fix. It’s cheaper and easier to manage a small problem now than a big mold outbreak later.
Never simply paint the mold or spray it with an air freshener, it will only mask it. Mold will continue to develop behind the wall or beneath the surface until it has entirely disappeared.
Conclusion
To wrap up, mold is not a stain or a smell it is a living organism and it grows when it is moist, warm, and has something to nourish on. When it has got a foothold hold it is spread by invisible spores which travel through the air. Those spores may be left in other portions of your house and begin to grow new molds without you ever noticing.
Mold might not be a huge issue, but it can easily lead to bigger issues that can not only impact your health but also your house.
This is why it is such a big issue to do it quickly. Mold is never going to disappear by itself, and any attempt to brush it under the carpet or deny its existence will simply allow it to flourish.
Even when you notice any sign of mold or suspect there is some, don’t wait. Make your family and your house safe by contacting a reliable mold remediation company that will locate the situation and correct it in the safest and most comprehensive manner. It’s worth it.
