5 min read
Molds are considered useful types of fungi that are helpful in decomposing organic matter in nature. However, once microbial growth finds its way into your home, it can pose potential health risks and damage your interior walls, furniture and carpets, among others.
Many property owners fail to prevent microbial growth or enlist property restoration in Avondale early, simply because they don’t know what to look for.
To help you protect your property and your household members from the negative effects of mold, it helps to understand what time of the year it grows, the signs of microbial growth to watch out for, and the steps you can take to keep mold out of your home.
What Time of the Year Does Mold Grow in Arizona?
Many home and business owners in Avondale, Arizona, believe they will never have a mold problem because of the state’s dry climate. However, it’s worth noting that the area’s summer months (June to September) can also bring a lot of rain and humidity — the two significant factors contributing to microbial growth. Mold can also grow throughout the different seasons of the year. In spring and summer, microbial growth becomes more noticeable because the warm temperatures and humidity allow mold to spread quickly. Meanwhile, the heat produced by space heaters, dryers, HVACs, or cooking equipment in winter also helps create a favorable environment for mold to reproduce.
Causes of Mold and Microbial Growth
No matter the time of the year, mold can grow inside your home or commercial facility if any of these factors are present:
- Excess Humidity – Mold grows well in damp, humid, and wet environments, so failing to maintain the ideal humidity level indoors can promote microbial growth.
- Widespread Flooding – A property that has been recently flooded and improperly dried can also be a breeding ground for mold.
- Leaking Roof and Pipes – Issues with your roof and plumbing system can introduce water and moisture into hidden spots in your home, fostering a mold infestation without you noticing it.
- Damp Basements – With basements often containing higher moisture levels and poor air circulation, unaddressed dampness can quickly start a mold outbreak.
With that said, keep in mind that mold can start growing as fast as 72 hours after a water damage event. Drying the property and enlisting mold remediation as soon as possible is key to preventing mold from taking hold of your home and causing further problems.
Signs of Mold To Watch Out For
Remaining attentive to the early signs of mold in your home can help you hire property restoration in Avondale promptly, before more complications arise. The catch is that mold isn’t always easy to detect. Some infestations can happen unnoticed, while others start in hidden areas like attics, wall cavities, and behind wallpapers.
The good news is that it becomes easier to tell if you have mold in your home when you know what to look for. On that note, here are the most common signs of indoor mold to pay attention to:
- Musty odor – If you have been noticing a persistent musty, stale, and earthy scent inside your home or workplace, it’s highly likely that you have a mold problem.
- Visible signs of microbial growth – Mold usually appears as a fuzzy, furry growth in different hues. It can be black, gray-brown, green, orange, pink or white.
- Recent water damage event – If you have recently experienced water leaks or flooding, the event may have produced condensation in certain areas of your home that can lead to microbial growth.
- Health problems – Exposure to indoor mold can trigger allergic reactions and other health problems in people staying inside the affected property for prolonged periods.
Signs of Mold Exposure
Mold in your home can cause different health issues, especially for those allergic to mold or who have respiratory conditions. It can bring about allergy-like symptoms such as:
- Congestion and runny nose
- Sneezing
- Coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing
- Sore throat
- Headaches
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Skin rash
Prolonged exposure to indoor mold can also cause further complications, such as difficulty focusing, fever, coughing with blood, and chest pain. Moreover, people with weak immune systems may be at risk of developing a fungal infection.
How To Keep Mold Out of Your Property
While reading about mold and the inconveniences it can bring can be overwhelming, there’s a way to keep mold infestation out of your property. Taking these practical steps can help you protect your home and your loved ones from mold:
- Remove damp carpets, dry clothes outside, wipe floors and walls after a shower, and repair leaks immediately to prevent moisture buildup.
- Avoid leaving wet clothes inside the washing machine.
- Use a moisture meter and dehumidifiers to keep indoor humidity between 30 and 60% throughout the day.
- Use exhaust fans when cooking or taking a warm shower.
Mold can be damaging to your property and dangerous to your health. Unfortunately, the temperatures during Arizona’s summer months bring about the most favorable conditions for it to grow and spread quickly. With that said, knowing the signs to watch out for and the practical ways to keep mold out of your property can help you make it through the mold season risk-free and unaffected.
If you suspect that mold is affecting your home or business, seek professional mold remediation and property restoration in Avondale immediately. An experienced team like Restoration 1 can remove mold from your property in the safest and most efficient way possible. Call us today, we are here to help you 24/7.
