The Connection Between Water Damage and Mold Growth in Homes

5/29/2019 (Permalink)

Water problems often contribute to the growth of mold in homes.

Mold can cause major damage to homes in Perry, OK and protecting your home from this type of damage is often important. When thinking about mold prevention, it can be helpful for homeowners to understand how water affects mold.

What Are Common Water Issues in Homes?

Water problems often contribute to the growth of mold in homes. There are a variety of water problems that often occur in homes, including:

• Pipe leaks or breaks
• Leaky broken or damaged appliances
• Roof leaks
• Flooding caused by an overflowing toilet
• High levels of humidity in bathrooms, attics or basements

Why Does Water Help Mold Grow?

Though some types of mold can grow in dry environments, many common types of mold need moisture in order to grow and spread. In addition to requiring water, most molds also need access to some sort of organic material in order to grow in an environment. Since homes are generally filled with organic materials that can provide mold with the nutrients and fuel it needs to thrive, only a small amount of moisture is needed for mold to grow.

How Can You Prevent Mold Growth?

There are several ways you can prevent mold from appearing in your home, and since mold prevention is often less costly and not nearly as time-consuming as mold remediation, it’s often best to focus on prevention. If your home has sustained water damage, quickly removing the water and employing water and mold damage specialists can be useful. Whether your home has or has not experienced flooding, it can be wise to inspect your home frequently. Keeping your home dry and clean, especially in areas where mold is likely to grow, can also help to discourage mold from growing in your home.

Mold commonly occurs in homes after a flood, leak or a moisture problem. Knowing water’s role in mold growth can allow you to practice efficient mold prevention methods in your home.