What Causes Black Mold?

What causes black mold? Several conditions can lead to the growth of black mold. Understanding the causes of black mold will help you to prevent these conditions and potentially avoid the problems that occur with black mold growth.

All types of mold, especially black mold, thrives in frequently damp areas, such as baths, showers, toilets, kitchens, and basements.

Many situations or places in your home can be reasons that black mold grows, for example:

Leaks

When your home has a leak, it can create enough moisture for black mold to start to grow in that location. Due to many leaks being minor or even in areas that are not easy to see, it can be easy for leaks to go undetected for a long time. Many times when a leak is finally noticed, you already have black mold growing. The main location that you can find a leak in are pipes, roofs, air conditioners, toilets, and washing machines.

Condensation

Condensation occurs when warm air and a cold surface meet. Common areas for condensation are pipes, air conditioners, or walls, which are all areas where black mold can grow. One main concern of condensation is that it can even accumulate on concrete, even underneath the carpet. Because of this, it can be very hard to spot.

Poor Ventilation

It is common for modern homes to be tightly sealed, making it easier to heat and cool the home. However, this also causes the house to have poor ventilation. Poor ventilation is an issue because it can make it difficult for humidity to escape the house, which causes the moisture to attach to the ceilings and walls. Due to the lack of airflow, the wet areas can take longer to dry, giving black mold more time to grow.

Blocked Gutters

The purpose of gutters is to keep the away rainwater from your home, when gutters are blocked, the rainwater cannot escape. Blocked gutters can cause water to build up within the gutters resulting in the water entering your home by seeping into walls, foundation, or through your roof. The water entering your home creates the perfect spot for black mold to begin growing.

Overall, it is best to be diligent when trying to prevent black mold from growing. The easiest way is to control the moisture within your home, you can do this by adding fans and ventilators anywhere you can.

Another important step in reducing the chance of mold is to check your house for any leaks, and if you do find a leak, it is best to deal with the leak as fast as possible. Spots to check for are places such as pipes under the sink or the toilet bowl. Leaks can happen in just about any location around your home. If you do find out you need professional mold removal, call Fresh Air Technologies.