When Is Mold Season?
There may not be a specific season that is conducive to mold growth, but there are some environmental conditions that support fungal growth more than others. Mold thrives on moisture, and does especially well in warm, humid environments. Contrarily, mold has a difficult time in cold, dry conditions. That’s not to say that it doesn’t happen at all, it is simply less common. Mold is not picky, and, as mentioned previously, is opportunistic. Even though mold does better in certain conditions than others, all it truly needs is a moisture source to survive. In order to do your best to avoid mold year round, you must understand that it can happen anywhere, at any time.
Conditions Conducive To Mold
No matter what time of year it is, if mold supporting conditions are present, fungal growth will develop. While there is no mold season, it is imperative that you are aware of the conditions within your home. This way you can monitor moisture levels and ensure that your home is not supporting fungal development. As stated prior, mold does well in warm, humid conditions. Some areas of the home are more prone to these conditions than others. Areas like your kitchen, bathroom, attic, and laundry room tend to be more warm and moist than others, and can be prone to mold growth if proper prevention methods are not used. The use of a vent fan or even an open window can make all the difference in these areas.
These areas are not the only ones you need to keep an eye on. Areas that are cold and dank with poor ventilation, such as basements and crawl spaces, are also at risk. When it comes to mold prevention, these areas need some extra attention to keep them in good condition. The poor ventilation that is prevalent in these areas makes it easy for mold to develop and spread rapidly.
Any Season Could Be “Mold Season”
Mold prevention is something that needs to be done year round. Mold sustaining conditions can be found all around us at any time of the year, so you don’t want mold to catch you slacking. To reiterate, mold is opportunistic, meaning that it will develop whenever and wherever possible.
To expand on what we touched on previously, it is important to know that your kitchen, bathroom, attic and laundry room areas are more susceptible to warmth and moisture than most other areas of the home. The steam and condensation that is created from cooking, bathing, or cleaning in these areas tends to get trapped if there is nowhere for it to escape from. It is important that proper ventilation methods are being employed in these areas to ensure that moisture doesn’t become stagnant, allowing it to seep into porous surfaces and cause mold development.
Basements and crawl spaces tend to be a bit more difficult when it comes to mold prevention. These areas commonly experience mustiness and poor ventilation. Proper ventilation methods can make a huge difference, but may not always be enough to do the trick. Basements and crawl spaces often contain a lot of moisture, but not enough ventilation in the space to balance it out so the moisture can escape. This is why these areas tend to be so stuffy and dank compared to other areas of the home. These spaces may require the use of a dehumidifier in order to minimize moisture levels. Humidity levels in all areas of the home should be around 35% to 50%.
In any situation where mold is involved, time is of the essence. Mold remediation jobs are so time sensitive because mold is able to develop within 24 to 48 hours after moisture is introduced to the area. The damage will only continue to spread the longer you wait, so contact a professional mold remediation company in your area as soon as possible to have the area assessed. While there isn’t any specific “mold season,” you should ALWAYS be aware of what mold looks like, what conditions sustain mold growth, and how to avoid it.
