Mold is a nasty problem for any homeowner to have. This is because mold is a persistent problem that can often remain invisible to the naked eye until it is too much of a problem to ignore. The fact is that mold is more than an unsightly problem, it is more than just a stain.
The presence of mold in one's home is an infestation of a hostile entity that will not only cause significant structural damage to your home but also compromise the health of you and your loved ones. When you encounter mold in your home, you need to get rid of it as soon as possible. To do this, you need to understand where mold comes from, how it spreads, and most importantly, what you can use to get rid of it. Let's dive into the questions and find the answers.
Causes of Mold Growth
Mold is often mistaken as being a bacteria problem. This is not true because mold is not a bacteria. It is a fungus similar to a mushroom; only it begins as a microscopic spore. Mold requires only two things to grow: moisture and nutrients. If you get that combination in your home, mold will have a place to accumulate until you have a full-blown infestation. Here are a few things that cause mold growth.
Leaky Roof
The attic is one of the most notorious places for mold to gather in the home. This is a common reason for attics to have a stereotypical musty smell. Mold can make its way into your attic a few different ways, but the most common one is by having a roof leak. This is usually the result of damage or missing shingles. The water leaks in from the roof and drips all over the wooden foundation of the attic (or onto items such as clothes, stuffed animals, or cardboard). These items provide the nutrients and moisture necessary for mold to grow.
Leaky Pipes
Anywhere in your home with pipes, there is a possibility of growth. This is because pipes that have been improperly maintained tend to leak. Water accumulates when there is a leak, typically in places that are out of sight and out of mind. When water accumulates, mold is soon to follow.
Prevention Strategies
If you want to keep mold from happening in your home, then you must be a little more diligent about keeping up with home maintenance. You should inspect the pipes in your kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room every couple of weeks. Make sure there are no leaks, and if there are, fix them as soon as possible.
You can also have your roof inspected for any damaged or missing tiles that could potentially be causing leaks inside your attic. Fortunately, this is not something that you have to do with any degree of frequency. Your roof only really needs to be inspected once a year.
Best Mold Killers Available Now
If you have encountered mold in your home, you must kill it quickly. You can take advantage of numerous mold-killing solutions on the market right now. The best ones we've found are featured below.
A Quick Disclaimer
It cannot be emphasized enough that while cleaning small-scale mold infestation is perfectly fine on your own, you need to remember that if the mold growth in a given area exceeds ten square feet, you are better off consulting your local mold removal expert. This is per EPA recommendations, which are for your safety.
