Do I Need To Worry About Mold in the Winter?

Mold and Decomposing Fall Leaves

The leaves are falling all around and that musty smell is starting to become apparent when you walk outside. Decomposing leaves and other yard vegetation is a natural progression for your property as the dormant winter season approaches. Did you know that mold helps support this decomposition process?

The spores help break down organic matter, which helps support healthier soil and the natural life cycle around your property. While you don’t necessarily have to worry about decomposing leaves in your home, you and your family can certainly bring the mold spores into your home on the soles of your shoes.

If you track in mold spores, they can easily settle into your warm home and can start to grow into a larger colony. Try to get into the habit of taking your shoes off before going inside your home or always leave your shoes by the door in the entryway. 

Condensation Issues 

Do your windows fog up or condense on particularly cold days? Condensation is the process where water vapor turns back into a liquid state, and this happens naturally when temperature changes become drastic. 

As water vapor comes into contact with your chilly glass panes, it can condense and drip down your windows and doors. Your walls can even condense if you are struggling with insulation issues.

Check any places in your home that are exposed to the elements regularly and wipe down wet window panes and doors to reduce your risk of a mold infestation taking hold.

Too Much Humidity

The humid days of summer are behind us, but that doesn’t mean your home doesn’t have to worry about any sort of humidity in the air. All homes should have a reasonable level of humidity to keep your breathable air comfortable. Most experts will agree that humidity levels should be between 30-50% for optimal comfort without raising the risk of mold issues.

If you have a humidifier built into your HVAC system or you just like to run a portable one on the driest days, keep an eye on your walls and windows. If you are noticing more condensation than normal, it’s important to circulate your air to bring your humidity levels back down. 

You should also check your humidifier filter regularly. If even a few mold spores get into your equipment, a colony can start to grow on the filter itself, effectively turning your humidifier into a mold distributor!

Attic Leaks and Insulation 

The cold weather is coming, and with that comes snow and ice. As you check off your home maintenance tasks this fall, make sure to check your roof for leaks or structural damage that could have a huge impact on your home.

Even the tiniest hole or a single missing shingle can invite snow or ice into your attic. Once inside, it will melt onto your attic floor and your insulation. Attics are designed to circulate air out of your home, but too much moisture in a short amount of time can lead to stagnation, which raises your risk of serious mold problems considerably.