Can mold still grow in a winter? You bet. Mold is rather remarkable in that it can grow just about anywhere, no matter the conditions. Most people associate mold growth with hot, humid climates and summer months. However, you can experience microbial growth in your home year-round if the conditions are right.
Things You Can Do To Protect Your Home From Mold Growth
Mold growth happens where moisture is present. In the winter, that could be from snow or rain. So here are some things you can do year-round to help protect your home from mold growth, no matter the season.
- Make sure you have good air circulation. This can mean having the fan on the furnace circulating air from time to time or doing something as simple as ensuring the fan is running when you take a shower so moisture can’t collect in the bathroom’s nooks and crannies.
- Keep an eye on your basement. Look for cracks in the concrete and mortar, and have any possible issues looked at when they arise. If you find your basement is wet, call Lamunyon as soon as you can to have the water issue addressed quickly and effectively.
- Consider crawl space encapsulation or another kind of moisture barrier. During spring thaws, it is especially common for spring basement floods. Some kind of preventative measure could help if you experience recurring moisture problems.
- When temperatures are frigid, be sure pipes are well-insulated, or you keep a small stream of water running in the house to be sure the pipes don’t freeze. This likely isn’t a measure you need to take on your own, nor one that happens in this area often, but there are areas of the upper Midwest and Northeast that frequently struggle with frozen pipes because winters get so cold. In turn, pipes can burst, and the thawing process can be quite costly.
- Check seals around windows and doors. These are common areas for mold to grow unseen. Check for moisture in these areas, and reseal any that appear to need a little TLC.
- If you notice condensation on windows, pipes, or walls, work quickly to pinpoint the source, have the source fixed, and thoroughly dry the affected areas.
- Clean your roof gutters regularly. Trapped debris can cause water to back up or drain to places you are trying to avoid.
The Two Key Factors
There are really two key factors for mold prevention: keeping everything clean and keeping everything dry. Taking simple precautions, like some of the steps we mentioned above, can make a world of difference in the environment within your home. The cleaner your home, the cleaner the air, and the healthier you and your family will be. If you are concerned about mold in your home, Lamunyon can do a simple mold investigation and moisture evaluation to see where problems lie, if any. Thanks to special tools, our crews can get a great picture of what is going on within the walls and ceilings of your home without doing any damage.
