How Does the Weather Impact Mold Growth?

Contrary to popular belief, mold growth does not just happen during the hot summer months. The way mold grows is greatly influenced by temperature and climate, but this isn’t just a seasonal issue. If the conditions are favorable, mold can thrive all year. 

Mold is easy to identify because of its earthy, moist, and unpleasant odor. Mold can be found in almost every room of our homes. Regardless of the type of mold that grows in the interiors, most of them are known to create substantial health problems in those who have been exposed for an extended period of time.

Knowing where to look at different seasons of the year might help you eliminate the threat of mold before it becomes a problem.

Don’t hesitate to contact Icon Restoration if you’re concerned about mold growth in your house. We provide free mold inspections and send all samples to a third-party lab for fast and reliable results. Our team will help you with every step of the mold elimination process.

What temperatures favor mold growth?

Mold thrives in temperatures between 60 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit since it is a living organism. If our room maintains this temperature for an extended period of time, mold could quickly reproduce. The minima and maxima temperature ranges for mold growth might vary depending on the type of mold.

Mold spores can survive in conditions where typical mold development isn’t possible. They will only begin to grow once they have landed in an environment that provides them with adequate water, temperature, nutrients, and oxygen.

The link between mold and weather conditions

Moisture is one of the key factors that promote mold growth in a home. Mold grows on benches, walls, and other surfaces as a result of moist air. It can be a persistent issue, especially if you reside in a region with excessive humidity, such as near a lake or the sea.

The amount of moisture in one cubic meter of air changes with temperature. Warm air absorbs moisture more efficiently than cold air. One cubic meter of room air stores 10 g of water at 20°C and 60% relative humidity. When the room temperature is lowered to 8 degrees Celsius, the air in the room can only absorb half of the moisture. 

This implies that half of the moisture escapes and condenses on the cooler outside walls as condensation water. As a result, at these spots, the risk of mold formation increases.

The ambient temperature controls how much water vapor the air can absorb: the colder the temperature, the less moisture the air can hold. The dew point is vital to the development of condensation. 

Excess water vapor condenses on surfaces that are lower than the dew point temperature when the air cools below the dew point but the moisture content remains constant. If the relative humidity in the center of a room is 50%, it can reach 100% in cold areas. This offers an excellent environment for mold spores and fungi to grow.

Mold growth and relative humidity

Summer months, as well as summer storms, can raise relative humidity levels both outside and inside your home. When the relative humidity inside your home rises, the moisture is absorbed by the building components and furnishings. 

Those wet items might then provide a breeding ground for mold. Mold growth will be present if the relative humidity in a home is above 70% for a considerable amount of time.

Where Do I Begin When It Comes to Mold Removal Services?

Once mold has been found in your house or company, the following step is to guarantee that it is effectively removed. Given the potential for mold to cause property damage and health issues, it’s critical that you get rid of it as soon as possible.

Mold removal procedure that is done properly demands the use of specialized equipment. It is a rigorous and controlled cleaning process, despite some resources advising a simple spritz and wipe.

Icon Restoration is the industry leader in mold removal, and we’ll get rid of the problem for good. Following mold removal, our trained mold removal experts will advise you on how to prevent mold growth. Always keep in mind that keeping humidity, heat, and moisture under control is critical to preventing mold growth in the future.