Winter mold has a lot of causes in Portland, Oregon. Below, we take a look at what these are and if there are any steps you can take to prevent it. If left untreated, mold wreaks havoc on both your home and health. This is why mold removal services are necessary.
How Mold Grows During the Winter
Mold always grows in moist, humid environments. During Portland winters, mold is usually the direct result of condensation that forms when the cool air outside meets warm air inside. As a result, the areas around your doors, windows, and attic rafters are the most common spots for mold growth.
Melting snow and ice are other common catalysts for mold growth. This can build up on your gutter or pool around the foundation of your house and near doors. Mold develops in as little as 24 hours after being exposed to water damage.
Signs of Winter Mold Inside Your Home
Knowing how mold grows is important, but so is recognizing it. Most people recognize mold by its musty smell. However, there are other, less obvious signs of mold you should look out for:
- Small black spots or patches
- Sudden onset of allergy symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, or watery eyes
- Warping walls
- Headaches
- Worsening of respiratory conditions such as asthma
- Sudden anxiety or depression
- Insomnia
- Itchy/inflamed skin
- Dark grout on your floor tiles
- Smelly air conditioner
If you are currently using a humidifier to ease your breathing, keep in mind that this could also be a sign that mold will soon develop.
Remember, mold can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. It can be black, green, or white, solid or fuzzy, small or covering a large area. Mold doesn’t follow a one-size-fits-all formula. By recognizing signs like these, you can be better informed about a potential mold problem.
For example, if you sneeze and cough a lot when you enter your basement, but not when you go upstairs, chances are mold is growing in your basement. Just be cognizant of even the smallest changes.
What You Can Do to Prevent Mold Growth During the Winter (And Why Calling Professional Mold Removal Services is Vital)
Fortunately, you can take several steps to prevent mold growth:
- Plug in a dehumidifier – A dehumidifier does exactly that: it removes excess moisture in the air. Dehumidifiers are designed to reduce humidity levels that create a hospitable environment for mold to grow.
- Take cooler showers – During the winter, this may not be at the top of your list. But cooler showers lower the humidity levels throughout your home. This is an easy way to prevent mold buildup in your bathroom.
- Repair water damage right away – The longer water damage sits, the more likely it is that mold will grow. Routinely check your home for leaks. During the winter, burst pipes are common. Familiarize yourself with the signs such as discolored water, puddles, and fluctuating water pressure.
- Clear your gutters – If your gutters are obstructed with snow or an ice dam, it forces water to drip over the side and into your home’s foundation. This causes cracks and eventually dangerous settling. However, it also increases the risk of water seeping into your basement and creating mold.
- Keep wet areas of your house dry – Regularly wash your shower mat and wipe down windows that are wet from condensation after running the dishwasher or dryer. The drier you can keep your home, the better.
- Inspect your home for mold – If you suspect mold growth, you can conduct a basic test yourself. Mix a little bit of bleach and water and dab it on the affected area. If the area gets lighter, it’s mold. Likewise, it’s also mold if it keeps coming back once you’ve cleaned it.
- Call a mold removal company – Calling a professional mold removal company is your best bet. They can visit your property to check for mold and determine the best course of action to treat it.
This is not an exhaustive list. However, these are just a few of the small steps you can take to eradicate the risk of mold from your home.
Did You Recently Find Mold Inside Your Portland Home? Let the Mold Removal Services at PNW Restoration Help You!
If you recently found mold or suspect it, don’t face it alone. At PNW Restoration, our mold removal services are top-rated in the state of Oregon. We know how to treat every species of mold at the source so it won’t continue to grow.
Call us today at 971-247-3470 to schedule a mold removal appointment. We’ll get your home back to normal.
