Why is There Mold in My Home?

AWS is the Delaware Valley leader in waterproofing solutions, and “why is there mold in my home?” is one of the most common questions we encounter among our residential customers. Many homeowners who discover a mold problem never saw it coming and don’t know how it happened.

Possible Reasons for Mold in Your Home

Prolonged exposure to mold can be harmful to you, as well as to your family members. There are many different situations and reasons why mold may appear in your home, and the experts at AWS are here with the answers.

• High Humidity Levels

Mold needs moisture to thrive and elevated humidity levels in a home, which often happen during summer, meaning that the moisture needed is present. If your air conditioner is unable to keep up with the humidity, you may want to consider a dehumidifier. You should also be aware that poor ventilation in the home can exacerbate issues with high humidity and make your home more prone to mold growth.

• Condensation

While it’s common to think of it as a summer problem when asking yourself “Why is there mold in my home?”, the ground can be set in winter as well. Condensation can form on cold surfaces, including windows, concrete flooring and walls, metal piping, brick, tile, and so forth.

• Leaking Pipes

Leaking pipes are a prevalent reason why mold can happen without the homeowner being aware. Many pipe leaks are quite minor and don’t lead to enough water loss for you or the utility company to notice. For this reason, it’s a good idea to have your plumbing system inspected once a year.

• Leaking Roof

A roof leak can happen due to damage that has slowly accumulated over time. Once the moisture gets beneath the moisture barrier, it will lead to mold that is eventually visible on the attic interior. Schedule a roof inspection once a year. Perform monthly cursory inspections of your roof from the ground, and take a flashlight up into the attic to scan the wood looking for signs of sunlight, moisture, and mold.

• Damp Basement

Basements are prone to mold growth because they’re beneath the ground level and thus subject to higher moisture levels. You may need to install a basement dehumidifier and improve ventilation, and if water is seeping into the basement, then you’ll need to have trusted basement waterproofing services quickly.

• Foundation Dampness

Homeowners who ask why is there mold in my home are often surprised to learn that their foundation is the culprit. Foundation dampness can occur because the landscaping is naturally channeling water toward it, or it may be that the gutter system is not operating effectively.

• Leaking AC System

Air conditioning creates condensation that should exit the home via a condensate drain line. If the line is clogged and the drip pan becomes full, the AC should shut down and alert you to a problem, but there is the potential for leakage. Leaks in an AC can lead to a white, fluffy mold called mucor that can easily spread throughout your ductwork.

• Flooding

When a home floods, it can take days and even weeks to remediate the damage fully. Inadequate remediation is a common problem. The basement or other area may look and feel dry, but moisture is still present and can lead to a toxic mold called Stachybotrys chartarum.

Have a Mold Problem?

AWS has helped many homeowners throughout the Delaware Valley remediate their mold troubles, and we can help you too. Call us today or contact us online to schedule an appointment or with any additional questions about why there is mold in your home.