What Are Causes and Prevention of Black Mold?

As long as an environment is damp, and there’s a food source and suitable temperature, mold growth is inevitable. The sight of mold on a surface probably repulses you, and rightly so, as it can expose you to various health risks. Black mold, also known as toxic black mold, is a type of mold endemic in water-damaged structures. Exposure to black mold can increase your risk of experiencing respiratory illness symptoms like coughing and wheezing. If you’re looking to eliminate black mold from your building, you can rely on Water Mold Fire Restoration of Washington DC’s mold remediation service.

Causes of Black Mold

Once black mold pops up on an area of your building, it instantly lowers the aesthetics of that area. But to eliminate black mold, you need first to recognize what causes it. The following are some of the factors behind black mold:

1. Continuous Humidity

Highly humid environments typically have excessive moisture in the air, which is a major enabling condition for black mold to propagate. If the external environment is highly humid, black mold may appear on the exterior walls. If the internal environment is highly humid, the black mold typically appears on ceilings, closets, and interior décor. The risk of black mold exponentially increases if you are located close to a massive water body or a poorly ventilated building.

2. Leaking Pipes

Maybe the plumbing work at your building is substandard, and you have to contend with water leaks. Leaking pipes commonly cause black mold to develop on the walls, under the sinks, and on the ceilings. The parts most affected are determined by the position of plumbing fixtures. For instance, if the faulty pipe passes through the basement, then the basement experiences a greater rate of mold growth than other parts of the building.

3. Leaking Roof

Some roofs are not in their best shape, and so, they can allow precipitation to leak into the building, thus supplying the moisture that mold requires for growth. Sometimes, a small degree of roof leaks can take place, causing the mold problem to build up slowly. If you notice a circular dark blotch forming on your ceiling, that’s a sign that your roof leaks, and there might be extensive mold growths on the ceiling.

4. Condensation Build-Up

In the winter season, temperature changes can cause condensation on various parts of the building. And this supplies the moisture that mold needs to form and thrive. Some of the areas that experience continuous condensation include walls and vinyl surfaces.

5. Home Flooding

Raging rains can cause water to burst into your home and have your possessions floating about. It might take days or weeks for your home to dry completely after a flood, and during this time, the moisture can support the development of black mold. Home flooding can make for extensive mold growths considering the invasive nature of floodwater.

Tips for Preventing Black Mold

You can’t mold-proof an environment, but you can make it less prone to mold growths. The following are some important tips for minimizing black mold.

1. Identify Issues and Fix Them

The most critical thing in making your home mold-resistant is to identify problems and fix them. For instance, if you have a basement flooding problem, you can install gutter extensions to divert the water. Also, you may have to invest in quality ventilation and eliminate condensation build-ups.

2. Eliminate Wet and Damp Spots

The biggest enabling factor for mold growth is moisture. And so, if you want to minimize the chances of mold appearing in your home, you need to handle wet spots quickly. Whether it’s a basement flood, a large spill of water, or damp clothes, make sure you dry them as soon as you can.

3. Install Quality Ventilation

Simple activities like showering and washing laundry can encourage mold growth if your home ventilation system is poor. But with good ventilation, you allow moisture to escape outside, thus preserving dryness and improving the indoor air quality. If you live in a high-humidity environment, you might need to invest in dehumidifiers.

4. Proper Roof Maintenance

Many homeowners don’t lavish their roofs with the kind of attention they spare for, say, their balcony. But neglecting the roof can lead to extensive mold problems. If you have a leaky roof, the moisture builds up and creates a perfect environment for black mold to form and thrive. Inspect and maintain your roof regularly to minimize mold problems.