You live in the desert, so you naturally assume mold can’t grow in your home, right?
Wrong.
Unfortunately, mold can still grow in your home or business, even if you live in an arid area. If you’re wondering how that is even possible, here’s what you need to know about mold growing in desert environments.
How Mold Can Grow in Desert Climates
Mold grows where there is humidity. And while deserts have low humidity, your house or commercial building may be providing just the right amount of humidity for mold to grow. In order to grow, mold requires:
- Water: The main ingredient for mold. When your home experiences water damage, remaining moisture can cause mold spores to grow. And this growth can begin within just hours of water damage occurring, which is one of the reasons why you should seek professional mold remediation as soon as possible.
And here’s the thing: water damage doesn’t need to be catastrophic to trigger mold growth. Slow, hidden leaks, such as an old, leaking pipe, can lead to mold growth.
- Oxygen: Even with low levels of oxygen, mold can still grow.
- Temperature: Most molds thrive at 77-86 F, or room temperature. So, your home likely provides the perfect environment for mold.
- Food: Mold certainly isn’t a picky eater. Mold will eat anything organic (i.e., carbon-containing). As your home has wood, insulation, tile, drywall, etc., there’s plenty of food for mold to feast upon.
As you can see, your property presents all the right ingredients for mold growth. So, just because you live in a desert, don’t think that mold growth can’t happen.
What Are the Signs of Mold?
Mold’s crimes go beyond looking and smelling gross. But mold isn’t always so obvious. Mold grows by releasing microscopic spores. These pesky particles enter your home through open doors, vents, and windows. Add a source of moisture, such as water damage, and these spores begin to grow. Some signs of mold growth include:
- Musty, sour smells
- Cracked surfaces
- Peeling wallpaper
- Discolored areas on walls, floors, and ceilings (patches of green, white, orange, back)
- HVAC systems smelling funky
How is Mold Harmful to My Health?
Mold can trigger cold or allergy-like symptoms, making it hard to breathe. Mold can also further worsen pre-existing health conditions, such as asthma. If you have a suppressed immune system, you may be more susceptible to infections.
Aside from affecting your health, mold can also cause cosmetic and/ or structural damage to your home, as well.
Is Mold Covered by Insurance?
In many cases, mold is often not covered by insurance. The exception to this is if you have a specific policy for it. Be sure to review your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if mold is covered or not. Contact your insurance company with any questions, and if your policy does not cover mold, know that mold stemming from water damage can sometimes be covered.
Are There Different Mold Categories?
Yes, there are many types of mold. Mold can be separated into three main categories:
- Allergenic: These molds are not technically toxic, but like the name suggests, allergenic mold can still cause allergic reactions.
- Pathogenic: These molds can trigger illness in those with weakened immune systems.
- Toxigenic: The most harmful type of mold, toxigenic molds release their own toxins (mycotoxins) into the air, which may cause severe health problems.
How Can I Prevent Mold Growth in My Home?
Mold growth can be fickle. Remember that mold doesn’t need a lot of water to grow, even in desert areas. For example, a concealed, leaky pipe provides a perfect scenario for mold growth. To prevent future mold growth, keep an eye out for leaks. Whenever you clean your home, be especially vigilant about areas that have the potential for water leaks (bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms). If you see any mold, call mold remediation experts immediately. If your home experiences water damage, contact restoration experts as soon as possible. Remember, the faster water damage and/ or mold growth is addressed by experts, the better for your home and your health.
This article was written by Leah Campbell for Third Loft Marketing.
