Where Does Mold Grow?
Your walls, floors, appliances, carpet, or furniture – they can all provide the food mold needs to grow. But the thing all molds need most is moisture, so you’re most likely to see mold in damp places such as bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, and crawl spaces.
What is Mold?
Mold is a type of fungus that consists of small organisms found almost everywhere. They can be black, white, orange, green, or purple. Outdoors, molds play an important role in nature, breaking down dead leaves, plants, and trees. Molds thrive on moisture and reproduce by means of tiny, lightweight spores that travel through the air. You’re exposed to mold every day.
In small amounts, mold spores are usually harmless, but when they land on a damp spot in your home, they can start to grow. When mold is growing on a surface, spores can be released into the air where they can be easily inhaled. If you’re sensitive to mold and inhale a large number of spores, you could experience health problems.
Is Mold Harmful?
In some cases, mold in your home can make you sick, especially if you have allergies or asthma.
Whether or not you’re allergic to molds, mold exposure can irritate your eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs. Here’s what you can do to combat mold problems, and take care of yourself and your home.
Top Tips for Controlling Mold
It’s impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores in your home, but because mold spores can’t grow without moisture, reducing moisture in your home is the best way to prevent or eliminate mold growth. If there is already mold growing in your home, it’s important to clean up the mold and fix the problem causing dampness. If you clean up the mold but don’t fix the problem, the mold will most likely return.
Following is some advice for reducing moisture throughout the home with specific tips for the areas most prone to dampness and mold growth:
Emergency & Immediate Actions
- Fix leaks and seepage.
- Dry wet areas within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth.
Exterior Moisture Management & Drainage
- Make sure gutters are working properly.
- Ensure outdoor landscaping slopes away from the house to prevent water from approaching or pooling near the foundation.
- Install a dehumidifier and vapor barrier in the crawlspace.
Daily Indoor Humidity Habits & Continuous Ventilation Control
- Keep indoor humidity below 60% if possible (measure relative humidity with a hygrometer). Ideal target: Between 30% and 50% relative humidity.
- Make sure bathroom exhaust fans vent to the outside and use them when showering, as bathrooms generate high, localized moisture spikes daily.
- Use dehumidifiers to reduce moisture in the air.
Building Envelope & Condensation Prevention
- Add insulation to cold surfaces (such as exterior walls, floors, and windows) to reduce condensation.
- Have a qualified contractor examine the attic for adequate ventilation. Poor attic ventilation traps warm, humid air in the winter, rotting roof sheathing and insulation.
Seasonal & General Maintenance
- Declutter storage closets annually. Stagnant air in tightly packed spaces can foster localized humidity, but it poses little risk if overall indoor humidity and water intrusion are controlled.
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