How Seasonal Humidity Triggers Mold Growth in Homes

After a wet and humid summer, it’s not unfamiliar to see black mold growing on outdoor furniture or creeping up your home’s siding. But while most of us expect these outdoor effects, what we don’t expect is what’s happening indoors — because all of that humidity and moisture can cause indoor mold growth too. MoldTech is a specialist in mold removal in Aurora,  helping families avoid seasonal humidity that triggers mold growth. Black mold removal is a safe and effective way to eliminate and prevent indoor mold growth that can damage your home and cause negative health effects. If you’re curious about the triggers in your home or how mold inspection or testing can help, this article can help!

Understanding Mold and Humidity

Mold is nature’s recycling facility — it breaks down materials like wood, plants, or other natural materials. In our homes, mold will do the same to joists or beams, drywall, paper, or textiles, and can cause structural damage, destroy heirlooms, and cause serious health effects. 

One of the most important signs of mold growth indoors is high humidity or moisture. Without moisture, mold spores will remain dormant, no matter how perfect the temperature. Humidity is especially dangerous because it can move from room to room, unlike a static drip that affects only one space. Rooms like the bathroom, kitchen, basement, attic, or poorly ventilated powder rooms, for example, are at risk for humidity-related mold problems. 

How Seasonal Humidity Triggers Mold Growth

During the winter, humidity tends to be low — colder air cannot hold as much moisture, and our bodies often feel it first, as hair and skin become dried. However, this doesn’t always mean there are fewer mold problems, because a reduction in ventilation and stable, warm temperatures can foster mold colonies, especially in spaces like the bathroom or attic, where warm, humid air can rise. Condensation can also form on external walls when warm and cool air meet. 

During the summer, homes with air conditioners can prevent the worst of the humidity from affecting your person, but you may still experience moisture in walls, floors, and ceilings. Storms and flooding can introduce excess moisture to many different areas of the house, too. Even brief periods of high humidity may be all that’s needed to sustain a small mold colony over a long period of time, which is why humidity is one of the most important things we look for during a mold inspection. 

Health and Property Risks

What are the risks of unchecked indoor mold growth? Problems happen in two primary areas: your health and the health of your property. 

Your family may experience health problems from mold exposure, such as:

• Respiratory complaints like coughing or wheezing. 
• Eye, nose, and throat irritation. 
• Headaches. 
• Dry skin, eyes, and hair. 
• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating. 

Your home, meanwhile, can sustain damage and experience issues such as:

• Insulation damage that causes fluctuating temperatures. 
• Irreversible damage to structures like floors and walls. 
• Damaged furniture and textiles. 
• Weakened structural elements. 

Preventing Mold During Humid Seasons

At MoldTech, we often suggest quick, easy, and inexpensive fixes to our clients, such as using a dehumidifier in basements, opening windows when bathing, using an exhaust fan for cooking, and using an indoor humidity monitor. 

Regularly inspecting for water leaks or condensation issues is one of the best ways a homeowner can prevent mold growth, since early detection will allow you to fix the problem before mold takes root. If you identify an area that has changed in texture or colour, looks unusual, or smells musty, it’s time for professional mold testing. 

Why MoldTech is the Best Choice

With over fifteen years of experience helping families with black mold removal in Aurora and the GTA, MoldTech is a trusted expert in our field. Our friendly team has clocked thousands of hours on site and in the classroom using the latest in mold removal and remediation technology to assess, test, and safely remove mold in homes and businesses. We work all year round to help people find long-term solutions to recurring mold problems caused by humidity or excess moisture. To book mold removal in Aurora or find out more about mold testing and inspection, contact our team to have an in-home assessment. 

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