It’s fair to say that residential mold is every homeowner’s nightmare. Its development starts slowly but steadily, far from view, and is usually unnoticeable until it’s in full bloom. Mold favors damp, hidden corners where the sun doesn’t shine bright, mostly in bathrooms, basements, and behind walls. Once it takes root, it spreads quickly and turns into an eyesore that leads to structural damage and health issues.
In today’s blog, we outline reasons for mold growth, how a proven 24-hour plumber in Lemon Grove can help, and why calling for help ASAP makes a real difference between a minor issue and a serious problem. If you have recurring plumbing leaks, flooding, or persistent humidity, make sure to pay close attention.
What is the main cause of mold in the house?
Before we get into details, we must stress the importance of decisive action. If you’ve noticed any signs of mold, don’t wait and give it more time to thrive and spread, call professional help right away. Mold spores are present in the air and all they need is favorable conditions to start growing. Here are the key ingredients for mold growth in residential settings:
Moisture
From leaky pipes and residential flooding to high humidity and poor ventilation, moisture is the fuel that mold needs to start blooming.
Organic materials
Mold is a living organism that grows and reproduces itself in favorable conditions. It needs organic materials to do this, including wood, drywall, insulation, upholstery, and carpets.
Warm temperatures
While some species of mold can survive and stay dormant in very harsh temperatures, they thrive best in temperatures between 60-80°F, making most homes ideal environments.
Where could mold be hiding?
Now that we’ve sketched out the perfect conditions for mold growth, it’s time to do a walkthrough around the home and take a detailed look at where it’s hiding. While mold can start developing in as little as 24 hours, it remains invisible to the naked eye for 2 to 3 weeks. By the time you start noticing yellow, brown, or black spots, the problem has usually entered the serious phase. Ok, prompt reaction is key, but where to look? Here are the most common spots where mold takes hold in a home:
Bathrooms
As the room with the most moisture in a home, limited ventilation, and an abundance of organic materials (think everything from grout and drywall to wooden cabinets and vanities)m bathrooms are a prime mold territory in most homes.
Kitchens
The second usual suspect is the kitchen. As the second water source in the home and the room where moisture builds up under the sink, near the fridge, and around the dishwasher, the kitchen usually welcomes mold in the cabinets, behind walls, and under the flooring.
Basements
Basements are usually damp areas with poor ventilation and lack of daylight that are rarely kept clean and tidy. They can be especially vulnerable to mold growth if you have exposed pipes running through the basement. Any leaks or condensation in the basement will lead to rabbit mold growth and a stubborn problem over time.
Attics
Similarly to basements, attics are rarely ventilated, heated, or cleaned up to the same standard as the rest of the home. Add to this the lack of sunlight, poor insulation, and possibly a leaky roof, and you get the perfect conditions for thriving mold.
Keep in mind that even if you haven’t noticed any warning signs while walking through your home, the only way to be sure that no mold is growing unseen is to call professionals and let them do a professional inspection. Relying on smart tech and years of experience enables specialists to detect issues in their infancy and save you a lot of money and hassle in the future.
How can I find a reliable 24-hour plumber in Lemon Grove, CA & the vicinity?
If you’re interested in winter inspection of your plumbing system, want to avoid the worst-case piping scenarios, or learn why DIY plumbing almost never pays off, San Diego Emergency Plumbing is here and always ready to jump in when the going gets tough. Our licensed and experienced plumbers will come armed with the latest tools and solutions to stop the water in its tracks, remedy your flow, and make sure that your system is running smoothly once more.
All you have to do is give us a call and take your loved ones to Treganza Heritage Park while we get our feet wet and deal with whatever issue is causing you headaches. While you’re dallying indecisively, mold is growing behind your back, call us now!
