Mold and mildew need four things to thrive: available spores, moisture, organic matter to feed on, and temperatures between 68 to 86 degrees. Even though it’s thought of as a summertime problem, due to our hot, humid climate, homes can become a haven for mold growth in the winter months too. Condensation that occurs along the roofline in the attic, or in rooms that are poorly ventilated, can yield the moisture mold needs to get started.
In addition to causing unsightly stain and rot, mold causes serious allergies and respiratory problems. The following tips will help you prevent its growth in your home this winter.
- Insulate the attic – A warm attic causes condensation to collect along the cool roofline, dripping back onto the surfaces below. By keeping your attic at an ambient temperature, providing adequate insulation on the floor, you’ll be able to keep warm, conditioned air in your living space while preventing condensation from forming along the roofline. Also, consider installing an attic ventilator, which will prevent excess moisture in the winter and mitigate heat gain in the summer.
- Ventilation – Make sure your home is adequately ventilated. Sealing the leaks in your home is a powerful step toward increasing energy efficiency, but it needs to be paired with an adequate whole-house ventilation system for a fresh air supply and to allow trapped moisture to escape. Ventilation is especially important in rooms where condensation is an issue such as the kitchen, laundry room and bathrooms.
- Identify and repair leaks – If you have a plumbing or storm leak, it needs to be repaired immediately. Make sure you dry the interior wall or ceiling spaces thoroughly before closing them back up.
Contact Cox Air Conditioning & Heating to learn more about mold prevention and to balance humidity levels in your Tampa area home this winter.
