Summer Safety Series: Mold in the home

7/20/2020 (Permalink)

Mold growth on windowsill

In the Sioux Falls area, we haven’t had to worry about rainfall totals quite as much as last year. It has been an uncharacteristically hot with rain events spaced out every few weeks. However, we have been experiencing high levels of humidity. Usually humidity does not become a factor until late July and August, however, this year we have been seeing extremely high humidity levels throughout the summer. While the lack of rain has been preventing extensive water damage, its important to monitor your home for humidity as mold growths can begin with just small amounts of moisture in your home.

How Humidity can start mold growth:

There are a few factors that need to be present for mold to grow. The most important factor is moisture. Next, the mold needs a source of food. This can include drywall, wood, and other materials used to build your home. The next most important factor needed for mold growth is a lack of UV light. Mold likes to grow in often unseen parts of our home that receive little to no light. Think of a utility room in your basement.

Sources of moisture in the home:

Excluding a large rainfall event, the most common causes that create moisture in the home during the summer are typically linked to keeping your home cool. One common place for mold growth in the summer is around windows that are not often used or may not receive a lot of direct sunlight. As the temperature and humidity rise outside, we often run our air conditioning unit more to compensate for the high heat. This juxtaposition of heat outside and cool air inside, can lead to condensation forming on your windows and running down onto wooden window frames, creating an environment for mold to grow. We recommend drying and cleaning your windows and their frames regularly if you notice moisture buildup. The next most common culprit for mold growths in the summer stem from runoff from air conditioning units. Typically, an AC unit will have a drain line that takes moisture away from the unit and towards a proper drainage system. However, older models can leak, leading to moisture getting in to crawl spaces and other hard to access areas of the home.

What should I do if I find mold?:

If you are unsure if you have a mold growth in your home, it is best to reach out to a company like SERVPRO that handles mold remediation in the Sioux Falls area. At SERVPRO of Sioux Falls, we are capable of performing mold tests and mold estimates. Our standard is to have a quote returned to you within two business days of a mold estimate. Should you need mold remediation services, SERVPRO is trained and has the necessary chemicals to treat your mold growth. Should any tear out and reconstruction work be needed, SERVPRO of Sioux Falls can handle the entire process from beginning to end!