Mold can’t survive in cold temperatures, which has led many homeowners to believe that they don’t have to worry about mold in the winter. But winter is actually one of the seasons when mold growth is most prevalent.
As your local mold removal specialist, RidAway is here to explain why mold thrives in the winter and the symptoms of mold in a house so that you can spot mold signs quickly and prevent damage to your home and health.
The Danger of Mold in Cold Climates
Mold needs three things to grow:
Heat: In the winter, the heat you use to keep your home warm creates an ideal temperature for mold growth. If your home isn’t well insulated, heat will escape into your attic and walls, fostering mold growth in hard-to-see areas.
Moisture: If your house isn’t sealed properly, moisture from the melting snow and ice outside will find its way into your home. Moisture from your bathrooms and kitchen can also condense on cold surfaces in your home, like walls, windows, and plumbing pipes, if you don’t have enough ventilation.
Food: Your home’s building materials, like your attic rafters, wooden window frames, and drywall, provide a readily available food source for mold all year round.
Without proper winter mold prevention, mold can eat away at your home, causing serious damage. It can also get inside the air your family breathes, leading to allergic reactions and other health risks.
To keep your home mold-free this winter, make sure your house is well-insulated and air sealed, and ensure that you have adequate ventilation. You should also make it a habit to look for leaks and water intrusion after a winter storm.
Know Where to Look for the Signs of Mold in Your House
Mold often grows in places where it’s hard to see—like inside your walls. Learning the signs of winter mold in a house will help you catch mold growth before it gets out of control so you can clean it up quickly and maintain a healthy home.
This winter, keep an eye out for some of the most common signs you have mold in your house:
You feel like you have a cold that you just can’t shake
Asthma or allergy symptoms have inexplicably worsened
There are ice dams on your roof
You notice peeling paint, wallpaper, or damp patches on your ceiling
There are dark or textured spots on your walls
There’s a musty smell in your house
What to Do If You Find Mold in Your Home
Winter mold prevention is one of the keys to a safe and healthy house. But you also need to get rid of any mold that’s already growing. If you think there may be a mold problem in your Massachusetts home, call RidAway, your local home services expert. We offer comprehensive mold removal services, including mold inspections and remediation.
Our team of licensed mold specialists will find and remove any mold that’s actively growing in your home, and we’ll also address the root problems behind mold growth, like water leaks, so that you can stop it from coming back.
