Mold is a commonly faced problem in many homes and commercial establishments. Mold proliferates and leaves a repulsive look calling for immediate repairs and drastic cleaning. Most people fail to find out the reason for mold growth and eliminate them.
Mold can frequently occur in the cold season, and it is generally considered a winter problem which is not true. Let’s discuss the ideal conditions for mold growth and list ways to avoid them by adjusting the temperature and humidity.
Reasons for mold occurrence
Indoor moisture is the main reason for mold occurrence in most areas. Mold can occur in the air conditioner and furnace air evaporator coil due to the condensation process. When a high relative humidity level or RH level hits a cold surface in winter, natural condensation occurs, which keeps the walls damp, causing mold.
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Relative humidity and mold growth
RH level is nothing but the amount of water vapor present in the air. HVAC system repairers calculate how much water vapor is present in the air compared to the normal levels and adjust the heating or cooling systems accordingly. They suggest using humidifiers or dehumidifiers to adjust the RH level of the room.
Mold growth occurs in all the climates on all things, including drywalls and even pew cushions, if the relative humidity of the room or hall is more than 60%. Call an experienced maintenance specialist and ask them to use a HOBO temperature logger to determine the room’s relative humidity.
Avoiding mold growth
It is not entirely possible to eliminate mold occurrence, but checking the HVAC ducts regularly for extra water droplets or leakage will help prevent mold accumulation. Do not accumulate wet things in the attic or basement and dry out pillows, carpets and other moisture-retaining items regularly.
Avoid mold occurrences near the windows, around the duct pipes, and on the roof corners by preventing leakage using proper sealants. Check the basement ventilation regularly, and try to keep the room well aerated to prevent mold growth. Prevent accumulation of food items in the closets and corners as they will lead to mold formation quickly.
Why does mold occur mostly in winter?
Mold occurs mostly in moist places, and the winter months provide the ideal temperature for mold infestation. The damp walls and compounds, leaking roofs, and permanently wet windows offer a perfect situation for winter molds.
The accumulation of mold spores in the winter season is very high because the chances for walls and other moist areas to dry is significantly less. The homes are shut tight in the winter, and the thermostat is set to the highest to maintain warmth.
The warm air rises above the room and hits the cold roof creating condensation and water droplet accumulation on the ceiling, paving the way for molds.
Reason for summer mold
Failing to maintain the HVAC system properly leads to constant damp air circulation inside the sealed environments leading to mold infestation in the summer months. If the relative humidity exceeds 80%, mold will occur for sure eating on the drywall or roof over time.
Most houses use the air conditioning system continuously during the summer months. Since they feel the air sucks out all the moisture, they also use a humidifier to maintain the room’s moisture in Texas areas. If the humidifier is too powerful or not maintained adequately, it increases the room’s RH level extensively, paving the way for summer mold.