It’s very common to experience mold problems during hot summer months when heat and humidity are at their worst.

But did you know that mold doesn’t take a break during cooler months?

Unfortunately, mold is an issue that can appear at any time of the year.

Here’s how mold makes its way indoors even in cooler seasons and what you can do to stop it.

Relentless Mold

Even if the temperatures outside go no lower than 60 degrees, as long as there’s enough moisture or humidity, it thrives.

Because mold can grow in places you might not normally check in on, like the attic or in walls, it might go undetected and result in a serious mold problem.

Mold can be relentless because while it grows in places that are hard to detect, it’s also nearly impossible to find a place where there isn’t some stage of mold.

The problem with the fungus known as mold is that it grows and spreads via airborne mold spores. Mold spores often and easily become airborne, drift through the air, settle and grow.

It doesn’t need heat to do the job. This process occurs whether temperatures are warm or cold.

How Mold Affects Your Health and Home

If you are suffering from allergy symptoms like itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, or finding it difficult to breathe, it might not be just a common, seasonal cold.

While it’s unsettling to think that there’s undetected mold growing in your home, it happens.

Allergic reactions to mold and mold spores are bad enough, but it can really be serious for anyone with compromised immune systems or suffers from upper respiratory issues.

Mold is also very destructive throughout the home as it can cause rotting and decomposition of carpeting, furniture, clothing, wood, and other structural components.

Cracks or leaks in the roof causing wet insulation or poorly insulated plumbing pipes can cause condensation, excess moisture or humid conditions which are prime conditions for mold.

Drafty window frames are another great spot for condensation and humidity which are also prime spots to watch for mold.

Cold Weather Mold Prevention

Because prevention is so much better than dealing with a mold infestation, here are some tips for preventing cold weather mold.

• Inspect your home for any leaks, moisture, or humidity hot spots such as HVAC ductwork, around windows, under kitchen and bathroom sinks and any exposed plumbing pipes. Repair these leaks immediately and make sure that surrounding areas are completely dried and sanitized.
• For small patches of developing mold (under 10 square feet), clean it away with a mixture of diluted bleach or vinegar.
• Check the attic for humidity and condensation. Repair any issues with leaks, gaps, or cracks.
• Replace inadequate, damaged, wet, or missing insulation.
• Repair any circulation or ventilation issues in the attic.
• Adjust the thermostat to reduce humidity during cooler temperatures.

Conclusion

Don’t let mold invade your home during this season’s cooler temperatures.

For all your mold questions, issues or remediation needs in Sonoma Valley, be sure to call RCS. Our mold remediation specialists can restore your home to a safe, healthy, and mold-free condition no matter what season of the year.