Preventing Mold Growth in the Winter

Mold prevention during the winter months can be difficult. As temperatures drop and precipitation increases, people tend to close up their homes, trapping heat inside to stay warm. However, this has the capacity to create and trap moisture in the home.

Excess Moisture Poses Danger

The primary cause of mold growth is moisture. When moisture is trapped, mold spores grow and infiltrate areas in the home, potentially damaging structures and creating health hazards. Often, excess moisture build-up can be found in areas that are not easily seen. These areas can be your basement and crawl space but are also commonly found behind or underneath home materials like ceiling tile, sheetrock, and flooring. The longer the moisture has a home in these places, the higher the chance that mold and mildew will grow.

Common Causes of Moisture:

• Regular home use like showering, dishwashing, and even human respiration
• Condensation from windows and pipes
• Frozen pipes in freezing temperatures either drip or burst
• Leaks in home structures like roofing
• Improper landscaping letting drainage infiltrate basement structures
• Defective mortar in the basement

10 Preventative Steps Against Mold Growth

Here are some preventative steps you can take to fight off mold in the winter months:

1. Regularly ventilate your home with fresh air, using an exhaust fan or opening a window while cooking, showering, or washing dishes.
2. Keep all areas of your home clean.
3. Install a sump pump to get rid of excess moisture in your basement or crawl space. We can help with that!
4. Check for foundation cracks in your basement and repair accordingly.
5. If there is condensation from windows, pipes, or walls, promptly wipe and dry while checking to see if the build up is from a leak or from high humidity.
6. Insulate your plumbing for the colder months to prevent freezing or bursting.
7. Check your roof and seal anything that needs repair.
8. Check all window and door sealings, repairing any defects.
9. Make sure your landscaping is sloped away from the home creating a proper drainage path for precipitation.
10. Make sure your gutters are clear, preventing buildup that can drain over into your foundation.

Contact Basement Masters Waterproofing for All Your Waterproofing Needs

Taking a few easy steps towards a dry and clean home goes a long way in saving you the distress of moisture-induced mold in the winter months. If you are experiencing a wet basement or foundation problems, call or e-mail us today. We can come to your home and give a professional assessment of what measures you should take towards a dry, mold-free Virginia home.