Mold thrives in dead vegetation, and is not killed by winter frosts. In fact, many molds can become dormant during the winter only to grow on plants killed by the cold when springtime arrives – making mold a year-round allergy trigger. Click to see full answer.
Does mold stop growing in the winter?
Mold generally stops growing when the temperature is freezing, but this doesn’t happen all throughout winter. Occasionally, the temperature rises to the point at which snow melts, which creates the first factor of mold growth – moisture.
When is mold season and how long does it last?
When Is Mold Season? Mold season is from Spring to late Fall, and it peaks from July to late Summer. However, Winter will not save you from mold. Most molds become dormant, rather than dying during winters.
Does mold die when it dries out?
Does Mold Die When it Dries Out? It is a common belief that dry mold is safe, but is this true? Yes and no. While mold spores won’t multiply without a source of moisture, they will re-activate and start growing once they come into contact with water again.
Does mold need moisture to survive?
So the answer is yes; however, different types of mold require different amounts of moisture. In fact, some species of mold require vary little water and can actually survive in the desert. Your best bet to avoid major mold problems is to always dry wet or moist materials and surfaces. Did you know? 87% of homes we tested have mold?!
At what temperature does mold become dormant?
32 degreesMolds lay dormant when the temperatures go below 32 degrees, and only become active again when temperatures go above this point. A room that is poorly ventilated prevents free circulation of air in the house. This causes moist air to get stuck within the interiors where mold can thrive.
What time of year is mold worse?
There is no “peak” in mold spores due to their general prevalence throughout most of the year, but the highest levels are typically observed from midsummer to late fall. During winter months, outdoor mold spores reduce significantly – especially during snow cover.
How can you tell if mold is active or dormant?
Active mold in the early stages has hair-like filaments in webs, which develop a more bushy appearance as the bloom matures. Inactive mold is dry and powdery, and the surface layer can generally be readily brushed off the surface. Inactive mold can easily become active given the right environmental conditions.
Is mold better/worse in winter?
Mold grows faster in the summer months. However, winter doesn't always mean we are in the clear. Mold loves the dark spaces in our homes. Although it does not grow at temperatures below freezing, mold can survive in dormancy and await the coming spring.
How do you prevent mold in the winter?
How to Prevent Mold GrowthTake cooler showers.Don't leave wet clothes and towels sitting in laundry baskets.Avoid laying fabric mats in areas often exposed to moisture, such as bathrooms and basements.Move houseplants to a well-ventilated area.Invest in a dehumidifier.
Will a dehumidifier help with mold?
If the humidity in a room increases, mold will start growing in patches on walls, clothes, and more. So, to answer your question, dehumidifiers do NOT kill mold, but they do prevent it by reducing humidity. If you have a mold problem in your home, don't wait. Mold spreads as long as it has a water source.
Is dormant mold a problem?
Mold will hide anywhere it is allowed, and it can sit dormant for a long time waiting for the right environment to grow. It may hide behind drywall, tile, flooring, or any number of surfaces. As long as the area remains dry, it is inactive and dormant. It will not cause health problems or decay.
Does mold ever go away?
Without constant moisture, mold will become inactive but they never die unless you get rid of them completely. They can always come back to life in the presence of moisture and multiply rapidly causing serious health problems.
Does inactive mold need to be removed?
Additionally, even fungus that lies dormant in one place can threaten the health of those who live there. For these reasons, any and all fungal spores need to be physically removed from the premises. It's not enough to merely “kill” the mold. The spores need to be taken out of your home for good.
Should you use a dehumidifier in the winter?
Because humidity levels vary throughout the year, so does the need to run your dehumidifier. During cold winter months, the air in your home is usually dry, which means a dehumidifier is not necessary.
Can keeping your house too cold cause mold?
Mold growth The colder you keep the indoor air in your home, the colder the walls, ceilings, floors, and windows will be. When water vapor from the air gets into the porous materials in those building assemblies, you have an ideal place to grow mold.
Does a heater help with mold?
Heaters aid in the removal of mold by drying out humid and otherwise moist surfaces. Since mold spores cannot germinate without moisture, heat can return the spores to a neutral and non-harmful state.
Why does mold stop growing?
Mold generally stops growing when the temperature is freezing, but this doesn’t happen all throughout winter. Occasionally, the temperature rises to the point at which snow melts, which creates the first factor of mold growth – moisture. Unless your home foundation and walls are fully waterproof (which most aren’t), ...
Why do humidifiers grow mold?
How Humidifiers Promote Mold Growth. During the winter months, people will turn on air humidifiers for a variety of reasons. When the air is very dry, it can have a plethora of negative effects on our body. It can become hard to breathe, and the air might irritate your throat or damage your skin. One of the most common reasons why people turn on ...
Why do people use humidifiers in winter?
One of the most common reasons why people turn on humidifiers during the winter is to battle the common cold, which is at its peak during this season. A humidifier can help you break the congestion caused by the common cold and breathe more easily.
What are the most susceptible rooms to mold?
The most susceptible rooms are the kitchen and bathroom, as cooking or showering create warmth and moisture. Aside from this, you’ll want to check all areas around your windows and doors. An issue you might encounter is not being sure whether it’s mold or just dirt.
Is bleach good for mold?
If this happens, and there’s a lot of mold that has built up, bleach might not be very effective. Hydrogen peroxide is another good solution for killing mold that is still forming and hasn’t spread a lot. It’s a lot less harsh than bleach, but it’s also less effective and might take longer to work.
Does mold die in the winter?
In many cases, mold finds a way into your home, especially if you create a fitting environment for its growth. Mold can’t survive in freezing temperatures, so it won’t be a problem for the exterior of your home during cold days.
Can you leave a humidifier in one place?
The best approach is not to leave your humidifier in one place for a long time. You can use it regularly, just make sure to move it around the house from time to time so that you don’t create too much dampness in one place.
How to prevent mold in the winter?
Here are some other steps you can take to prevent mold growth during the winter: Keep all areas clean. Ensure that the home or building has adequate air circulation. During a shower, cooking, or washing dishes, keep a window open or turn on an exhaust fan. Prevent mold and water damage by turning off the water supply to broken appliances and pipes.
Why does mold grow in winter?
The wet season during winter is actually one of the most prominent times for mold growth, due to the amount of melting snow, ice, and warm inside temperatures. As the mold grows, it will slowly consume and breakdown the building materials on which it grows, quickly creating the need for replacement.
How to get rid of mold in a room?
Pay close attention to bathrooms and other areas of your home that are likely to generate a lot of moisture. Use area rugs or washable floor surfaces rather than wall-to-wall carpeting in areas or rooms that have a moisture issue.
Can mold be prevented?
Mold spores are all around us, but the growth of mold can be prevented. Mold needs moisture, warmth, and food in order to grow in your home. When you deprive mold of moisture, warmth and food, you will stop it from growing, but you won’t kill the mold that is already there.
Can mold grow on building materials?
Mold can cause a number of problems after it starts growing on any of the building materials in your home. While there are many steps that can be taken to prevent mold growth, and taking these measures is much easier than removing it, sometimes mold still finds its way in.
Is it dangerous to do DIY mold?
Handling any type of DIY mold project can be dangerous and worsen the problem as the fungus di sperses its spores into the breathing air, searching for other moist areas to develop. When handled by an expert, they will cut off the source of the mold, preventing it from growing.
Can mold removal help with water damage?
Many professionals who provide mold removal also provide water damage restoration and can handle everything from small water damaged areas to flooded basements. They are also available 24/7 and will respond right away to emergencies. Don’t hesitate to call your local mold removal and water damage restoration professional as soon as you notice the damage to your property.
When is the best time to prevent mold?
Mold Prevention During the Winter Months. The wet season in the winter months is one of the best times of year for molds to grow and expand. Often mold is contained near sources of water where it can easily grow and reproduce. As it grows, mold can breakdown and compromise the integrity and strength of the source in which it lives.
How can I prevent mold in my basement?
Use an exhaust fan or open a window when showering, cooking, and washing the dishes. Prevent mold and water damage by turning off the water flow to broken appliances and pipes. Replace cracked or defective mortar in basements.
What is mold remediation?
Mold remediation services can help eliminate the mold in your home and personal items affected by water damage. Prevention, however, is what will help keep your lungs healthy and homes and buildings strong.
How to dispose of moldy items?
Dispose of moldy items in a sealed bag. Objects that can be saved should be frozen (which deactivates mold) or dried out. Mold remediation services can assist with restoring many of your items, including documents, pictures, and books. Make sure there is good ventilation within the building affected.
How to protect a roof from freezing temperatures?
Hire a professional roofing contractor to cover a damaged roof with a tarp or tent. This will help protect the building from the elements. If there are freezing temperatures, take measures to insulate pipes inside and out to ensure they will not crack and/or burst.
What to do if your basement is wet?
If you find your basement is wet or has water leaking into it, inspect the outside drainage systems. Spread moisture-barrier materials in crawl spaces over the soil. Heavy roofing paper or plastic film made of polyethylene can be used for this.
How can I get rid of humidity in my crawl space?
One may need to use a fan to blow out humid air from under the building. One can get rid of humidity or dampness within a building by heating it for a short time.
How long can mold spores stay dormant?
Depending on the type of mold, some spores can remain dormant for hundreds of years under the right circumstances. That is why it is not enough to simply eliminate humidity if you have an active mold problem.
Why is mold so common in damp areas?
Indoor mold growth is fueled by moisture. This explains why mold is such a common problem in highly humid and damp areas like bathrooms and basements. In addition to moisture, mold also needs nutrients, which it finds in a variety of materials like paper, wood, drywall or any organic material.
How long does it take for black mold to grow on walls?
Black mold on walls grows fast. Keep in mind that mold can start to develop between 24 and 48 hours of a material getting wet. It will continue growing until it is eliminated (the moisture problem remedied and the mold-contaminated materials removed).
What happens if you inhale mold?
Since some molds produce allergens and others potentially toxic substances, inhaling the spores can cause: 1 Allergic reactions 2 Respiratory problems like asthma and wheezing 3 Irritation of eyes, nose or skin 4 Mental confusion 5 Neurological problems 6 Fatigue 7 Headaches
How much humidity is needed to prevent mold?
In other words, warm air absorbs moisture more than cold air. The ideal relative humidity inside your home is anywhere between 30% and 50% if you want to prevent mold.
Can mold be removed from walls?
Absolutely! Mold spores are quite ubiquitous, and while some of them can be removed easily during regular house cleaning, many will continue to grow in dark, damp corners of your home or behind walls. Any fungal spore should be removed physically.
Does mold damage carpet?
Not only does mold and mildew damage walls, tiles, carpets and other surfaces around the house, but it is capable of causing a multitude health issues. And although each person responds to mold differently, countless studies show that exposure to mold spores can trigger reactions that range from mildly allergenic to pathogenic and even toxigenic.
When Is Mold Season?
Mold season is from Spring to late Fall, and it peaks from July to late Summer. However, Winter will not save you from mold. Most molds become dormant, rather than dying during winters. So, when peak season is over, molds may still flourish until they are removed, and the location is bleached. Mold removal can take several days to become effective.
When Is Mold a problem?
Some molds can be toxic. Others can be very hard to remove. It can be hard to know when a mold is a threat, but it almost always will be at some point. Allergic Rhinitis can occur when the spores are inhaled, and they are unseen by the naked eye. Black Mold is also a danger to your health.
What To Do If You Find Mold
Now that you know you have a mold problem, you should find someone to remove it. But, what can you do in the interim? Sure, you’ve called them. But, what if they can’t be there immediately?
We Can Help
Mold Season may sound like a daunting and scary time of year, but the important thing to remember is that it is only a peak time. As long as you keep humidity low and clean areas where mold can grow, there shouldn’t be any problems. If you notice mold developing, you want to talk to a professional.
Are Mold Allergies Seasonal?
In the sense that the symptoms can become more or less severe depending on the number of spores in the air, outdoor mold allergies can be considered seasonal ailments. The mold allergy season is actually much longer than the pollen allergy season.
Outdoor Mold Allergy and Mold Sickness Symptoms
Some common symptoms of mold allergies are itchy, red, and sometimes dry eyes. Sinuses can become inflamed, and you may experience a sore or scratchy throat. Mold allergy symptoms can be severe for anyone who is immunocompromised, very old, or very young. In general, though, they are less severe than mold sickness symptoms.