Mold grows faster in the summer months. However, winter doesn't always mean we are in the clear. Mold loves the dark spaces in our homes. Although it does not grow at temperatures below freezing, mold can survive in dormancy and await the coming spring.
Many people think that mold issues disappear in the winter, but mold is actually a year-round problem. It flourishes in environments between 60 and 80 degrees and grows wherever moisture or humidity is present. It's a problem in the winter because it can grow in your walls and attic, places where it's hard to detect.
Most people think spring showers bring moisture problems, but it's in winter that mold tends to become even more of an issue. In colder weather, warm air from heating systems rises into attics, where it meets under the cold roof, often causing condensation: the perfect home for mold.
Allergic symptoms from fungus spores are most common from July to early fall. Fungi grow in many places. They can grow both indoors and outside, so allergic reactions can occur year-round.
Mold risk increases in cold apartment
This moisture, as well as moisture in the masonry, can promote mold growth. The mold problem is greater in the cold season than in spring or summer because cold air can physically absorb less moisture than warm air.
Preventing mold through heating
It makes sense that people want to save on heating cost, but one of the best mold prevention techniques is keeping your heating on. If you seriously want to avoid mold in your home then avoid rooms cooling completely.
Mold growth can occur in cold rooms when ambient humidity is high, where there is poor ventilation, insulation failure, or when wood, cardboard, and other porous materials that can grow mold are stored in the room.
Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Some people, such as those with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more intense reactions.
Do air purifiers help with mold? Air purifiers help capture mold spores from the air, preventing them from reproducing and spreading throughout your home. While air purifiers won't help treat active mold that's already present on surfaces, they are a great way to control the spread of airborne mold particles.
It is also very important that there is adequate ventilation in the room. Open a window or door so the mold spores can escape, instead of staying locked in your home.
The World Health Organisation guidelines suggest 21 degrees in a living room and 18 degrees in the bedrooms, falling lower at night and when you are out. You don't need to keep your home at these temperatures all the time, but you should aim to bring it up to these temperatures at least some of the day.
Keep the thermostat at 78 degrees or above. A higher thermostat setting and slightly warmer air temperature results in drier indoor air. In the cooling mode, temperatures lower than 78 degrees generate more humid air and cool indoor surfaces, increasing condensation that breeds mold.
So, dehumidifiers don't kill mould, but they can help to prevent it from growing inside your home by reducing humidity. However, the best way to deal with it is to get rid of its source.
a dehumidifier, which extracts moisture from the air, can be bought or hired. wipe down surfaces affected by condensation regularly to prevent mould growth. mould can be removed by washing the surface with a disinfectant or a fungicidal wash. This must be used in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions.
With that said, heat, humidity, and a damp, dark environment provide a perfect recipe for mold growth. It's important that in an enclosed space, such as a dark basement, that humidity levels are controlled to ensure that mold is unable to grow.
Hydrogen peroxide kills mold spore on contact by breaking down proteins and DNA. It's normally used to clean mold on porous and non-porous surfaces. Ionized hydrogen peroxide can kill mold spores in the air, but it requires the use of a special fogging machine.
An air purifier is your best bet to improve indoor air quality and reduce allergens. A dehumidifier is a clear choice if you're concerned about high humidity levels and potential mold growth.
To get the most out of a HEPA filter for mold spore removal, it should be allowed to run 24/7. This means you should check to see if the air purifier you buy is Energy Star certified, so it does not use too much electricity. Noise is another concern, especially if it will be running in an area where you sleep or work.
Yes, if you have damp and mould in your home you're more likely to have respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies or asthma. Damp and mould can also affect the immune system.
Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores can cause a person to become allergic to mold. Molds can trigger asthma symptoms including shortness of breath, wheezing, or cough in people with known allergies. People who do not have allergies can also become irritated.
In some cases, people may experience symptoms of mold sickness immediately after exposure, while others may not notice any effects for weeks or even months.
Heavy rainfall, cold temperatures and heaters all cause condensation that lead to indoor mould problems in houses.
While damp cannot be reduced by opening windows, it can help to reduce the humidity levels in your property to make sure that condensation is not a common occurrence.