About 45 million homes in the US lack proper ventilation and have high humidity levels. Unfortunately, these are the perfect conditions for mold growth in houses.
Mold growing outside the house aids in the breakdown of organic matter. However, you don’t want it growing in your house.
Most homeowners neglect the issue when they first notice mold growing on walls. It’s important to note that mold reproduces by spores that are invisible to the naked eye.
Aside from property damage, mold can be a health hazard. Thus, it’s critical to take swift action when you notice mold growth in your house.
This article will highlight possible causes of mold and what you can do if you notice mold growing on walls.
1. Repair Leaky Foundations
Leaky foundations create one of the most conducive environments for mold growth. You face a higher risk of mold growing on walls if there is a waterlogged area on the perimeter of your house.
Moist soil near walls encourages the growth of white mold. The worst bit is that they can go undetected for a long time. To avoid serious property damage, carry out regular inspections of your foundation walls.
You can nip the issue at the bud if you notice the peeling of paint on the concrete surface. Carry out minor repairs before the problem grows into a big one.
2. Repair Roofs on Time
A tiny leak on the roof can cause a lot of problems if left unattended. With time you may notice water leaking from the ceiling. Spores begin to grow on the ceiling leaving ugly stains of black mold.
As the spores reproduce rapidly, the mold stain soon spreads to the walls. But proper ventilation will dry out the ceiling limiting the growth of mold.
It’s wise to conduct roof repairs on time to avoid serious property damage.
3. Check Your Drainage Pipes
Leaky drainage pipes are the root of many issues, but the growth of mold tops them all.
They create the perfect humid conditions for mold growth. Worse still, the pipes are rarely exposed, implying that there is also a lack of ventilation.
It’s advisable to involve professionals in the mold removal process since mold can spread fast under such conditions. However, focus on identifying the leak source so that you can solve the problem for good.
4. Reduce Humidity Levels
High humidity levels in your house are a health hazard. Apart from causing respiratory diseases, they create the perfect condition for mold growth.
Lowering the humidity levels during cold seasons can be challenging. Yet, when you fail to take precautions early, you end up dealing with bigger problems. Make use of the air conditioner to ensure that humidity is always below 60 percent.
You can use ventilation fans or dehumidifiers to reduce dampness in your house. By doing so, you’ll inhibit further mold growth.
5. Aerate Your House
Poor ventilation creates the perfect environment for the spread of mold spores. The spores can be a serious health hazard when inhaled.
Besides, when poor circulation meets moisture, mold starts to grow. Therefore, you ought to aerate the house regularly to ensure the circulation of clean air.
Always open your windows regularly and more often for rooms that are vacant for long periods. Besides, you can use fans to aid in the circulation of air.
6. Clean Basements
Most homeowners use basements to hold the junk they don’t use anymore but aren’t ready to let go of it.
However, the basement needs more care than you think. Given that it’s below the ground, its walls have a higher risk of absorbing moisture from outside.
This, coupled with its poor ventilation, makes the perfect condition for mold growth. It’s quite unfortunate that the black mold can grow undetected for the longest time.
Most homeowners notice it when it starts to affect the upper rooms. To avoid serious property damage, always keep the basement clean and aerated at any time.
Moreover, consult professionals on what to use on basement walls for protection against dampness.
7. Fill Gaps in the Walls
A crack in the wall can lead to mold growth over time. Through water seepage, the wall becomes damp. Hence, you should fill any cracks when they start to show.
Be careful not to cover any mold with liquid sealers because the dampness will reappear. Before taking any step, consult a professional since the crack can be a sign of a much bigger construction problem.
8. Improve Bathroom Ventilation
It’s common to notice mold growing on walls in the neighboring rooms to the bathroom. Due to the frequent exposure to water, bathroom walls face the highest risk of white mold growth.
To curb this problem, ensure the bathroom space has proper ventilation. Further, it’s important to dry the surfaces after using the bathroom.
Some homeowners use tiles on the walls. It’s a great tactic to eliminate water seepage.
9. Inspect Crawl Spaces
Most homeowners love crawl spaces because they provide a perfect hiding spot in the case of an attack. However, their dark and humid conditions create the perfect breeding ground for most household pests.
The mold you notice on walls likely spreads from the crawl space. The moist conditions catalyze mold growth. Unfortunately, mold will spread on the inner walls before you begin noticing it.
Thus, you need to perform routine checks on the crawl space. You could also look into crawl space encapsulation in Mishawaka, IN, or anywhere you’re located, as a means of preventing mold from growing. Outsource professionals to help you with mold removal within the crawl space.
How to Deal With Mold Growing on Walls
As noted above, there are various possible causes of mold growth. White mold is more common on concrete surfaces, while black mold is more evident on wood.
If you notice mold growing on walls, you need to be swift in dealing with the issue. It’s already a health hazard and if left neglected, and can cause unreversible property damage.
Stay on this website for more tips on how to deal with mold growth.
