Green, black, brown, and potentially furry, mold can be just as unsightly as it is smelly—compromising your home’s safety and aesthetics. Fortunately, by understanding the causes of indoor mold, you can take steps to prevent it from forming in the first place. Here are three common causes of mold and how a mold remediation team can help. 

Reasons Mold Forms

1. Plumbing Problems

Over time, pipes and plumbing fixtures can develop small leaks or pinhole fissures, allowing water to drip underneath floors or behind walls. As a result, the area can become hopelessly saturated with water, allowing mold to form. 

To pin down leaks and potential sources of mold, mold remediation teams can use special infrared cameras to check for cold spots behind the walls or floor. Because they can zero-in on dripping water, it decreases drywall and flooring damage, speeding the repair and reducing costs. 

2. Flooding 

Since mold feeds on moisture and organic material, flooding usually causes problems with mold growth. FEMA reports that mold can start to grow 24 to 48 hours after water saturation, which means that even a swift removal of water could result in mold damage. 

To keep your home safe, work with mold remediation teams as quickly as possible after your home has been damaged by a flood. Keep in mind that depending on where the flood originated, it may be covered by standard homeowner’s insurance policies. 

3. Improper Ventilation

Poor indoor ventilation can also create problems with mold growth, since it can allow humidity inside your home to gather in areas where mold can start to colonize. Bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and crawlspaces are especially prone to mold damage, since these spots can be difficult to ventilate. 

Always pay attention to how easily it is to remove moist air from your home. If you seem to have trouble letting the breeze in, think about working with a mold remediation company and an HVAC professional to add supplemental fans and air ducts. 

If you suspect that mold is growing in your home, turn to the professionals at Servpro of Lincoln & Warren Counties. With 24/7 emergency service for everything from floods to fires, this locally owned and operated company can help you to mitigate damage from disasters. Learn more about mold remediation by visiting their website or by giving their office a call at (636) 456-3422.