What causes mold to grow?
According to the experts, mold problems generally occur after prolonged or repeated water damage to a variety of organic materials. Floods, leaking pipes, leaking windows, and leaking roofs are all potential sources of moisture that can lead to mold infestation. Increased ambient humidity as a result of inadequate ventilation or improper drying of flooded areas can also lead to mold growth. Lifestyle choices such as overpopulating a residence, keeping a house closed up without running an air conditioner or dehumidifier, the presence of multiple indoor houseplants (especially if over watered and without adequate ventilation), and poor housecleaning habits can also lead to mold growth.
According to Peter Kozak in his paper on mold health effects, “Endogenous mold problems generally occur after prolonged or repeated water damage to a variety of organic materials.” Floods, leaking pipes, leaking windows, and leaking roofs are all potential sources of moisture that can lead to mold infestation. Increased ambient humidity as a result of inadequate ventilation or improper drying of flooded areas can also lead to mold growth. Lifestyle choices such as overpopulating a residence, keeping a house closed up without running an air conditioner or dehumidifier, the presence of multiple indoor houseplants (especially if over watered and without adequate ventilation), and poor housecleaning habits can also lead to mold growth.
Added January 19, 2007 Q. What causes mold to grow in a home? I want to know how I can keep this from becoming a problem in my home. A: Mold needs moisture and a food source to grow. The food source indoors is usually drywall, insulation, and in some cases wood framing inside walls. So, you might be wondering why mold isn’t growing in every house. If a house is properly waterproofed and doesn’t have any water leaks inside, there’s no moisture to cause the mold to grow.
