What causes mold?

Most people think about mold after a big leak or flood. Large amounts of water left without professional drying can lead to expensive mold damage, but most mold comes from less obvious causes. Small mold issues are common, but left untreated they can cause serious problems for your home and your family's health. So what causes mold?

Condensation and humidity

Humidity is higher in summer. Winter has the opposite problem: cold surfaces in a warm house cause condensation. That moisture soaks into porous materials like fabric and drywall and gives mold a place to grow.

Long, hot showers on cold days make it worse. That much warm, wet air in a small room can set off mold growth fast.

Poor ventilation

In winter, doors and windows stay shut to hold in heat, and that holds in moisture too. Keep air moving through your house, including the basement, so moisture can escape. In especially wet seasons, a dehumidifier is an excellent way to pull extra moisture out of the air.

Leaks

You do not need inches of water on the floor for a leak to cause trouble. Small drips from pipes or an aging roof can let in enough water to grow mold. Watch for water spots on ceilings, walls, and concrete, and call the right professional to fix the problem as soon as you notice it.

Found it too late?

Bay Area Clean Care is your local choice for getting your home back to normal. Our certified technicians find the moisture you cannot see, pinpoint the source, and plan the work to return the structure to the proper Standard of Care. See how we handle mold remediation.